July Perennials To Plant Now: 18 Plants For Late-Summer Color
Use midseason sowing strategies to reap a vibrant finale when earlier blooms wane.
18 Easy July Perennials to Plant Now for a Late-Summer Garden Boost
July might seem late for adding perennials, but many resilient plants thrive when planted in midsummer. Whether your goal is a drought-tolerant landscape, a pollinator haven, or extended bloom time, these July-blooming perennials can provide color and interest long into the season. Below, discover 18 perennials ideal for July plantingâcomplete with growth habits, care tips, and why each deserves a place in your garden.
Why Plant Perennials in July?
Planting perennials in July might seem counterintuitive, especially as temperatures and drought risks peak in many regions. However, midsummer planting offers unique benefits:
- Availability: Nurseries often have healthy, discounted stock as spring inventory thins.
- Extended Bloom: Many perennials establish quickly and offer late-summer color.
- Pollinator Support: July plantings can bridge gaps in nectar and pollen sources for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
- Soil Warmth: Warm soil temperatures promote rapid root development, leading to robust plants by autumn.
How to Succeed with July-Planted Perennials
Success with midsummer perennials depends on a few essential strategies:
- Water Deeply: New plantings require regular, thorough watering until roots are establishedâtypically for the first few weeks.
- Mulch Generously: Apply a 2-3 inch organic mulch layer to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperature.
- Provide Afternoon Shade: For sun-sensitive varieties, strategic placement or temporary shade cloth can reduce transplant shock.
- Watch for Pests: Heat-stressed plants are vulnerable to insects and disease. Monitor regularly and act quickly if needed.
18 Standout Perennials to Plant in July
Here are 18 resilient, beautiful perennials perfect for planting in July, listed with helpful horticultural details for successful growth.
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to partial shade |
|---|---|
| Height | 3â-7â |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-9 |
Joe Pye Weed is a statuesque native that produces clouds of tiny pink or mauve flowers in mid to late summer. These blooms are magnets for butterflies and other pollinators. It tolerates clay and sandy soil, as well as imperfect drainage, though it is not exceptionally drought-tolerant. Use it as a focal point in the pollinator border or rain garden.
Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to partial shade |
|---|---|
| Height | 1â-4â |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-9 |
Bee Balm boasts aromatic, edible foliage and vibrant blooms in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. As a mint family member, it spreads vigorouslyâbest contained in beds. Flowers attract hummingbirds and bees; foliage can be used in teas and is deer-resistant.
Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Height | 2â-4â |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-9 |
Coneflowers produce daisy-like blooms with raised centers in purples, pinks, and whites. They are extremely drought-tolerant, attract pollinators, and rarely troubled by pests or disease. Deadhead for repeat blooms.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Height | 2â-3â |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-9 |
This classic perennial offers weeks of bold, yellow, daisy-like flowers with characteristic dark centers. Black-Eyed Susan naturalizes readily, draws pollinators, and is both deer and drought tolerant.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Height | 3â-5â |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-9 |
Russian Sage is a drought-loving subshrub with silvery, aromatic foliage and airy spikes of tiny lavender-blue flowers. It flourishes in hot, dry conditions and is largely disease and deer-resistant.
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Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata and hybrids)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Height | 1â-3â |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-9 |
Known for cheerful, yellow or red daisy-like flowers, Coreopsis is extremely easy to grow, heat-tolerant, and blooms from midsummer into autumn. Deadheading encourages new flushes.
Sedum (Hylotelephium spp.)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Height | 6″â2â |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-9 |
Sedum (Stonecrop) includes many succulent perennials with excellent drought tolerance. Their thick, water-saving leaves support late-summer star-shaped blossoms, loved by bees and butterflies.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Height | 1.5â-2â |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-9 |
Yarrow produces flat clusters of tiny, brightly-colored flowers above ferny, aromatic foliage. It is tough once established, ideal for dry and poor soils, and supports beneficial insect populations.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Height | 1â-2â |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-10 |
With vibrant, hot-hued blooms, Blanket Flower offers months of color. These perennials are heat and drought tolerant, requiring little care once established. Deadheading extends the display.
Salvia (Salvia spp.)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Height | 1â-4â |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-9 |
Salvia offers upright spikes of blue, purple, pink, or white flowers that are adored by hummingbirds and insects. Many varieties are both heat and drought-tolerant and bloom reliably with minimal effort.
Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to partial shade |
|---|---|
| Height | 1â-4â |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-10 |
Daylilies are nearly indestructible perennials, with trumpet-shaped flowers in every color. Each bloom lasts just a day, but new buds open for weeks. They tolerate many soils and neglect but perform best with regular water.
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Height | 2â-3â |
| Hardiness Zones | 5-9 |
The Shasta Daisy produces classic white flowers with yellow centers. Plants grow in clumps and bloom from midsummer to fall, attracting pollinators. They require well-drained soil and moderate watering.
Phlox (Phlox paniculata and hybrids)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to partial shade |
|---|---|
| Height | 1â-3â |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-8 |
Phlox rewards gardeners with clusters of fragrant, tubular blooms in pink, white, purple, or red. Mildew-resistant varieties offer weeks of butterfly-attracting color, especially in borders.
Veronica (Veronica spp.)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Height | 1â-2â |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-8 |
Veronica, or Speedwell, produces upright spikes of blue, purple, pink, or white. Compact, easy-care plants bloom from midsummer well into fall.
Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Height | 1â-3â |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-8 |
Fragrant, silvery foliage and clouds of lavender-blue flowers make Catmint a favorite edging perennial. Heat and drought tolerance combine with deer resistance and a long bloom season.
Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to partial shade |
|---|---|
| Height | 1â-4â |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-8 |
Penstemon offers spires of tubular blooms in white, pink, red, or purple, beloved by hummingbirds and native bees. Choose drought-tolerant varieties for the easiest care.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Height | 2â-5â |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-9 |
With iconic, daisy-like blooms and raised orange centers, Purple Coneflower is a pollinator magnet, drought-tolerant, and excellent for fresh or dried arrangements.
Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica and hybrids)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to partial shade |
|---|---|
| Height | 1â-3â |
| Hardiness Zones | 4-9 |
Lobelia provides vibrant blue or red spikes in wetter or moist garden spots. Exceptionally attractive to hummingbirds, it works well near ponds, rain gardens, or in moist borders.
Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Height | 1â-5â |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-8 |
Asters add late-fall color with starry blooms in blue, pink, white, or purple. They support pollinatorsâincluding migrating Monarch butterfliesâwell after most perennials are done blooming.
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Height | 2â-6â |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-9 |
Often wrongly blamed for allergies, Goldenrod produces stunning spires of yellow in late summer. Itâs a pollinator favorite, providing vital late-season food for bees and butterflies.
July Planting Tips by Growing Condition
- Drought-Prone Gardens: Coreopsis, Russian Sage, Sedum, Yarrow, Blanket Flower, Catmint, Penstemon
- Part Shade Locations: Joe Pye Weed, Bee Balm, Phlox, Lobelia
- Poor or Sandy Soils: Black-Eyed Susan, Blanket Flower, Russian Sage, Catmint
- Moist Areas: Lobelia, Joe Pye Weed, Asters (some varieties)
Benefits of July-Blooming Perennials
- Long-Lived Color: Many provide blooms from summer through autumn, bridging gaps between spring and fall displays.
- Wildlife Support: Mid and late-summer flowers offer essential resources for pollinators during hot, dry months.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, perennials need less water and care than annuals.
- Naturalizing Ability: Several varieties gently self-seed or spread for enduring returns year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What perennials are best for drought-tolerant July planting?
Recommended choices include Russian Sage, Sedum, Yarrow, Coreopsis, and Blanket Flowerâall perform well with minimal water once established.
Which July perennials attract the most pollinators?
Joe Pye Weed, Bee Balm, Coneflowers, and Salvia are especially attractive to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds throughout summer and into fall.
Can I still transplant or divide mature perennials in July?
It’s possible, but the heat can stress plants. If transplanting or dividing, do it in the cooler parts of the day, keep roots moist, and provide ample water until established.
Do July perennials bloom the same year?
Many perennials set roots first, so abundant blooms may not appear until the following yearâbut several, like Daylily or Black-Eyed Susan, can flower in their first season if planted early in July.
How often should I water new July perennials?
Water deeply at planting and continue at least 1â2 times per week for the first month, adjusting for rainfall and soil conditions. Mulch well to retain soil moisture.
Conclusion: Extend Garden Joy Through Summer
July-planted perennials combine resilience, beauty, and ecological valueâsupporting vibrant gardens during the hottest months. Take advantage of your local nurseryâs midseason offerings to refresh beds, fill gaps, and lay the foundation for spectacular color in future summers. With smart choices and extra care during establishment, your midsummer plantings will pay dividends for years to come.
References
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