July may not seem like the ideal time to plant flowers in your garden, but it’s actually perfect for sowing heat-tolerant varieties. These beautiful blooms can add a splash of color to your garden during late summer and even into the fall, when the rest of your garden may be starting to dim.
Of course, it’s critical to know which flowers will thrive when planted in July, and which can’t handle the heat. Here are a few varieties that experts love to grow, even in the middle of the summer.
Meet the Expert
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Related: 9 Heat-Tolerant Perennials to Plant in July for a Lush Summer Garden
01 of 09
Zinnias
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“Zinnias are one of the best flowers to plant in July thanks to their love of heat and fast-growing nature,” says Tabar Gifford, partnership cultivator and master gardener at American Meadows. “They germinate quickly in warm soil and start blooming in just a few weeks.”
These flowers are beloved by pollinators, and will quickly fill your garden with beautiful pink, orange, and red hues.
“If you haven’t been able to get them started in the spring, you’ll still be able to plant them directly in the soil now, and expect to enjoy their cheerful blossoms for the autumn,” adds Jane Gates, principal designer and owner of Gates & Croft Horticultural Design.
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Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 8 to 10 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil
Related: How to Grow and Care for Zinnias, an Easy Flower That Blooms All Summer
02 of 09
Nasturtiums
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Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum) are beautiful, versatile annuals that you can grow in containers or along fences in your garden. “[They] thrive in poor soil and need very little attention once established,” adds Gifford.
There are many different colors that you can choose from when it comes to these flowers, such as yellow, orange, red, or even pink. “There’s even a variety known as Alaska with eye-catching white marbling in the leaves!” says Gates.
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Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, rich, well-draining soil
03 of 09
Marigolds
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Marigolds (Tagetes) are a good idea both aesthetically and practically. Not only will they add a splash of color to your garden, but they also serve as a natural pest deterrent and are wonderful companion plants.
“[They’re] resilient, fast growers that love hot weather—perfect for a July planting,” adds Gifford. “Direct sow them in the garden, and they’ll be blooming in just a few weeks.”
Size: 6 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
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04 of 09
Cardinal Flower
Gates loves the cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), noting that it’s a local native to the New England area.
“It’s loved by all kinds of pollinators as well as a number of endangered bumblebees,” she adds. “Plant them where you can see all the hummingbirds they attract.”
While you can certainly plant cardinal flower in July, she does note that it’s a good idea to protect these plants from rabbits after they’ve been newly planted. Chicken wire bent into a cylinder works well.
Size: 4 feet tall x 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; wet, well-drained soil
05 of 09
Cleome
Cleome is very heat-tolerant and fast-growing, so it does well when planted in the warm July soil. Gifford notes that its “lacy foliage and eye-catching blooms in shades of white, pink, and purple add vertical interest and motion to the garden.”
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Pollinators love it, but it does need a bit more space due to its size and height.
Size: 18 to 60 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Partial to full sun; well-drained soil
06 of 09
Autumn Daffodil
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Peggy Anne Montgomery, a horticulturist and bulb expert at Flowerbulbs.com, recommends growing autumn daffodil (Sternbergia lutea) in July while it’s still dormant. This will give it time to establish itself before the cooler weather rolls around.
“I’ve been growing them for decades in the front of borders and my gravel garden. It’s my favorite fall bulb,” she adds. “The sunny yellow blossoms are a delightful surprise… They’re so rarely planted, so you’ll certainly surprise all of your guests!
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Size: 3 to 6 inches tall x 3 to 6 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil
07 of 09
Blanket Flower
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Blanket flower (Gaillardia) is heat-loving and drought-tolerant, so it can be planted from seed in July. This native wildflower thrives in full sun and poor soil, according to Gifford.
“Once it starts blooming, it puts on a colorful show of red, orange, and yellow blooms that last for months,” she adds. “[It’s] a favorite of native bees and butterflies.”
Size: 24 to 36 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; poor, well-draining soil
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08 of 09
Autumn Crocus
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Montgomery recommends planting autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) in July so it has time to establish itself before the fall, when it will be in full bloom.
“It’s a terrific way to spice up fall borders that are looking a little tired at that time of year,” she says. “The flowers can be purple, pink, lilac, yellow, or white.”
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 2 to 3 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soil
09 of 09
Cosmos
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“Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) are a July planting dream—they’re practically built for the heat,” says Gifford. “These light, feathery plants are easy to grow from seed and bloom fast, thriving even in less-than-perfect soil.”
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Pollinators love them, and once established, these flowers are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Gifford recommends deadheading them for continuous blooms.
Size: 36 to 48 inches tall x 18 to 36 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; poor to average well-draining soil
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