Midsummer

What Blooms in July

234 plants

July separates summer gardens from spring gardens. The spring beauties are done. What remains has to handle heat. Coneflowers are the workhorse: they bloom for months, support dozens of pollinator species, and age beautifully into seed heads worth keeping through winter. Black-eyed Susans are nearly indestructible. Bee balm brings hummingbirds. Daylilies bloom abundantly for three weeks at minimum, despite what the name implies.

Year-round bloom calendar

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
BorageAnnualJun-Sep
Borage
Star-shaped electric blue flowers that bees go absolutely wild for. Self-sows freely.
Z2-11
CelosiaAnnualJun-Oct
Celosia
Flame-shaped or crested flowers in electric colors that dry beautifully. Heat lovers that thrive in summer.
Z2-11
CleomeAnnualJun-Sep
Cleome
Spider-flower with whisker-like stamens and airy blooms. Tall, dramatic annual that self-sows freely.
Z2-11
Flowering TobaccoAnnualJun-Sep
Flowering Tobacco
Tubular flowers that release sweet fragrance at dusk. A cottage garden classic that attracts moths and hummingbirds.
Z2-11
Scarlet SageAnnualJun-Oct
Scarlet Sage
Electric red spikes that hummingbirds zero in on. Common bedding plant that earns its spot every year.
Z2-11
Bee BalmPerennialJun-Aug
Bee Balm
Shaggy, crown-shaped flowers that hummingbirds fight over.
Z3-10
Black-Eyed SusanPerennialJul-Oct
Black-Eyed Susan
Golden prairie workhorse that lights up late summer meadows.
Z3-10
Blanket FlowerPerennialJun-Oct
Blanket Flower
Fiery bicolor pinwheels that bloom nonstop in the worst heat and soil.
Z3-10
Blue Grama GrassGrassJul-Sep
Blue Grama Grass
Short clumping grass with distinctive eyebrow-shaped seed heads thrives in dry soils.
Z3-10
Cardinal FlowerPerennialJul-Sep
Cardinal Flower
Screaming scarlet spikes. The most vivid red in the native plant world.
Z3-10
CatmintPerennialMay-Sep
Catmint
Billowy lavender-blue haze that blooms all season if you shear it back.
Z3-10
ClematisVineMay-Sep
Clematis
The queen of flowering vines. Over 300 species, something for every spot.
Z3-10
ConeflowerPerennialJun-Sep
Coneflower
Tough prairie native with long bloom season and medicinal history.
Z3-10
Coral BellsPerennialMay-Jul
Coral Bells
Grown mostly for dramatic foliage, but the tiny bell flowers are a bonus.
Z3-10
CosmosAnnualJun-Oct
Cosmos
Airy, dancing flowers on thread-thin stems. Effortless cottage garden charm.
Z3-10
Creeping ThymeGround CoverJun-Jul
Creeping Thyme
Fragrant, walkable ground cover. Bees love it, foot traffic can't kill it.
Z3-10
DahliaBulbJul-Oct
Dahlia
Endless forms from dinner-plate to pompom. The obsession of flower farmers.
Z3-10
DaylilyPerennialJun-Aug
Daylily
Virtually indestructible perennial with trumpet blooms in every warm hue.
Z3-10
DianthusPerennialMay-Aug
Dianthus
Spicy-scented, fringed petals. One of the best edging plants there is.
Z3-10
Drift RoseShrubMay-Oct
Drift Rose
Groundcover rose that stays low and spreads wide. Tough, disease-resistant, and constantly in bloom.
Z4-11
HoneysuckleVineMay-Aug
Honeysuckle
Tubular, nectar-rich flowers with a fragrance that defines summer evenings.
Z3-10
ImpatiensAnnualMay-Oct
Impatiens
The shade annual champion. Flowers prolifically where nothing else will.
Z3-10
LiatrisPerennialJul-Sep
Liatris
Blazing star. Spikes that bloom unusually from top to bottom.
Z3-10
MarigoldAnnualJun-Oct
Marigold
Bulletproof color all season long. The workhorse of warm-toned borders.
Z3-10
Morning GloryAnnualJun-Oct
Morning Glory
Fast-climbing vine with trumpets that open fresh every morning.
Z3-10
Pardon Me DaylilyPerennialJun-Sep
Pardon Me Daylily
Compact cranberry-red with a yellow-green throat and one of the best reblooming habits in the entire family.
Z3-10
PetuniaAnnualMay-Oct
Petunia
Cascading color for containers and beds. Blooms nonstop until frost.
Z3-10
PickerelweedPerennialJun-Sep
Pickerelweed
Spikes of violet-blue flowers above glossy arrow-shaped leaves. Native pond and stream bank staple.
Z3-10
RosePerennialMay-Oct
Rose
The queen of the garden. Modern varieties are surprisingly low-maintenance.
Z3-10
SalviaPerennialMay-Sep
Salvia
Vertical flower spikes that hummingbirds and bees cannot resist.
Z3-10
Shasta DaisyPerennialJun-Aug
Shasta Daisy
Classic white-and-gold daisies that look fresh from a meadow painting.
Z3-10
SnapdragonAnnualApr-Sep
Snapdragon
Vertical flower spikes with squeeze-open blooms. Kids love them.
Z3-10
SpireaShrubMay-Jul
Spirea
Flat-topped flower clusters on tidy mounds. The easiest flowering shrub.
Z3-10
Stella de Oro DaylilyPerennialMay-Sep
Stella de Oro Daylily
The most planted perennial in America. Compact, reblooming, and basically indestructible.
Z3-10
SunflowerAnnualJul-Sep
Sunflower
Pure joy on a stalk. Birds love the seeds, kids love the spectacle.
Z3-10
Sweet AlyssumAnnualApr-Oct
Sweet Alyssum
Honey-scented carpet of tiny flowers. The best living edging plant.
Z3-10
TickseedPerennialJun-Sep
Tickseed
Cheerful native daisy that blooms for months with almost no care.
Z3-10
YarrowPerennialJun-Sep
Yarrow
Flat-topped clusters on ferny foliage. Thrives on neglect in poor soil.
Z3-10
ZinniaAnnualJun-Oct
Zinnia
Easy-grow annual with electric colors. Cut-and-come-again champion.
Z3-10
American ElderberryShrubJun-Jul
American Elderberry
Large flat clusters of creamy flowers in early summer give way to dark berries for jams and wildlife.
Z3-9
American Gold Rush Black-Eyed SusanPerennialJul-Oct
American Gold Rush Black-Eyed Susan
Narrow, fuzzy foliage resists the leaf spot that plagues Goldsturm. A worthy upgrade.
Z3-9
Angelina SedumPerennialJun-Jul
Angelina Sedum
Chartreuse needle-like foliage turns golden orange in fall. Tiny yellow flowers are a bonus.
Z3-9
Annabelle HydrangeaShrubJun-Aug
Annabelle Hydrangea
Enormous snowball blooms on a native species. Blooms on new wood, so prune hard in spring.
Z3-9
Asiatic LilyBulbJun-Jul
Asiatic Lily
Upward-facing blooms in a wide range of vivid colors. Easy to grow and brilliant in the summer border.
Z3-9
Bela Lugosi DaylilyPerennialJun-Aug
Bela Lugosi Daylily
Deep, near-black purple with a small yellow-green throat, the darkest and most dramatic daylily you can grow.
Z3-9
Butterfly MilkweedPerennialJun-Aug
Butterfly Milkweed
Vivid orange-red flat-topped clusters that monarchs and swallowtails cannot resist. Drought-proof once established.
Z3-9
Caradonna SalviaPerennialMay-Aug
Caradonna Salvia
Dark purple stems set this apart from every other salvia. Vertical, architectural, electric.
Z3-9
Cat's Meow CatmintPerennialMay-Sep
Cat's Meow Catmint
Tidy, dome-shaped habit that never flops open. Stays compact without shearing.
Z3-9
ChamomileAnnualMay-Aug
Chamomile
Tiny daisy flowers with apple-scented foliage. Brew into tea or let it naturalize between pavers.
Z3-9
Cheyenne Spirit ConeflowerPerennialJun-Sep
Cheyenne Spirit Coneflower
A rainbow mix of coneflower colors from a single seed strain. Every plant is a surprise.
Z4-10
Chicago Apache DaylilyPerennialJun-Aug
Chicago Apache Daylily
Scarlet red with a velvety texture. One of the best true red daylilies available.
Z3-9
Double Punch Coral DaylilyPerennialJun-Aug
Double Punch Coral Daylily
Fully double coral blooms like a small peony on a daylily, lush and completely unexpected.
Z3-9
Dragon's Blood SedumPerennialJul-Aug
Dragon's Blood Sedum
Creeping mat of burgundy-tinged foliage with starry red flowers. Turns deep red in fall.
Z3-9
False SunflowerPerennialJun-Sep
False Sunflower
Cheerful golden-yellow daisies that bloom for months on a tough native perennial. The sunniest, most reliable workhorse in the border.
Z3-9
Globe ThistlePerennialJul-Aug
Globe Thistle
Perfectly spherical steel-blue globes on white stems that dry to perfection. Bees are absolutely obsessed.
Z3-9
Goldsturm Black-Eyed SusanPerennialJul-Oct
Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan
The gold standard rudbeckia. Uniform, floriferous, and utterly reliable in any soil.
Z3-9
Gooseneck LoosestrifePerennialJul-Aug
Gooseneck Loosestrife
Gracefully arching white flower spikes that curve at the tips like a goose neck. Spreads vigorously in moist soil.
Z3-9
Happy Returns DaylilyPerennialMay-Sep
Happy Returns Daylily
Lemon-yellow rebloomer with light fragrance. A bit taller than Stella with softer color.
Z3-9
Hyperion DaylilyPerennialJun-Aug
Hyperion Daylily
Tall, pale lemon-yellow, sweetly fragrant blooms on an heirloom variety that's been cherished since 1925.
Z3-9
Mary Todd DaylilyPerennialJun-Aug
Mary Todd Daylily
Ruffled golden-yellow flowers with a lavender eye, large, showy, and sweetly fragrant in the summer border.
Z3-9
May Night SalviaPerennialMay-Aug
May Night Salvia
Perennial Plant of the Year. Dense indigo-violet spikes that rebloom if deadheaded.
Z3-9
Night Embers DaylilyPerennialJul-Aug
Night Embers Daylily
Deep burgundy-red with a black eye and yellow throat, smoldering in the summer border.
Z3-9
Obedient PlantPerennialJul-Sep
Obedient Plant
Spikes of snapdragon-like flowers that can be pushed and stay where moved, earning a very literal common name.
Z3-9
Oriental LilyBulbJul-Aug
Oriental Lily
Huge, intensely fragrant blooms in deep pink and white that perfume the entire garden. The lily that defines summer.
Z3-9
Pacific Bleeding HeartPerennialApr-Aug
Pacific Bleeding Heart
Western native that blooms much longer than its eastern cousin. Ferny foliage all season.
Z3-9
Powwow Wild Berry ConeflowerPerennialJun-Sep
Powwow Wild Berry Coneflower
Deep rose-purple petals and a bronzy cone on a compact reblooming plant that won't sprawl.
Z3-9
Purple de Oro DaylilyPerennialJun-Aug
Purple de Oro Daylily
Deep purple-red blooms on a compact Stella-sized plant. Brings rich color to the front of the border.
Z3-9
Red Hot Returns DaylilyPerennialMay-Sep
Red Hot Returns Daylily
Brilliant red with a small yellow center, compact and one of the earliest daylilies to kick into rebloom.
Z3-9
Rosy Returns DaylilyPerennialMay-Oct
Rosy Returns Daylily
Soft rose-pink blooms with a cream throat that keep coming from late spring to frost, absolutely tireless.
Z3-9
Sacred LotusPerennialJul-Aug
Sacred Lotus
Massive blooms rise above umbrella leaves in shallow water. Seedpods are as ornamental as the flowers.
Z4-10
Siloam Doodlebug DaylilyPerennialJun-Jul
Siloam Doodlebug Daylily
Tiny pastel pink blooms on a miniature plant, perfect for container gardens and tight spaces.
Z3-9
Summersweet ClethraShrubJul-Aug
Summersweet Clethra
Spikes of intensely sweet-scented white flowers in midsummer, one of the best fragrant natives for shady spots.
Z3-9
Swamp RoseShrubJun-Jul
Swamp Rose
Clear pink single blooms on a native rose that thrives in wet spots, ditch edges, and rain gardens where other roses would drown.
Z3-9
Thread-Leaf CoreopsisPerennialJun-Sep
Thread-Leaf Coreopsis
Thread-fine foliage and masses of tiny yellow stars bloom for months with zero effort. A perennial you can actually neglect.
Z3-9
Trumpet VineVineJun-Sep
Trumpet Vine
Aggressive native vine with fiery trumpets. Hummingbird highway.
Z4-10
Vintage Wine ConeflowerPerennialJul-Sep
Vintage Wine Coneflower
Wine-purple petals that age to rose on a robust, well-branched plant. One of the most floriferous echinacea you can grow.
Z3-9
Walker's Low CatmintPerennialMay-Sep
Walker's Low Catmint
Perennial Plant of the Year. Billowy lavender-blue spikes that rebloom hard after a shear.
Z3-9
Water LilyPerennialJun-Sep
Water Lily
Floating jewels that transform any pond. Pads provide shade for fish while flowers dazzle above.
Z4-10
White Swan ConeflowerPerennialJun-Sep
White Swan Coneflower
Pure white drooping petals around a bronze-orange cone. Elegant and underused.
Z3-9
Wild BergamotPerennialJul-Aug
Wild Bergamot
The wild cousin of bee balm. Lavender puffs alive with pollinators. Tougher and more mildew-resistant.
Z3-9
YuccaPerennialJun-Jul
Yucca
Sword-like evergreen foliage sends up dramatic stalks of white bells. Tough, architectural, underrated.
Z4-10
Anise HyssopPerennialJul-Sep
Anise Hyssop
Lavender-blue spikes with licorice-scented foliage. A pollinator powerhouse that blooms for months.
Z4-9
AstilbePerennialJun-Aug
Astilbe
Feathery plumes that light up shady, moist spots like nothing else can.
Z3-8
August Moon HostaPerennialJul-Aug
August Moon Hosta
Glowing gold foliage all season, and one of the best hostas for brighter spots with some morning sun.
Z3-8
Blue Angel HostaPerennialJul-Aug
Blue Angel Hosta
Massive blue-gray leaves up to 18 inches long. One of the largest and most slug-resistant hostas.
Z3-8
Blue FescueGrassJun-Jul
Blue Fescue
Steel-blue tufted mound. Perfect edging or rock garden accent.
Z3-8
Blue FlaxPerennialMay-Jul
Blue Flax
Delicate sky-blue flowers open each morning on airy stems over fine foliage.
Z4-9
Blue Oat GrassGrassJun-Jul
Blue Oat Grass
Compact clumps of steel-blue blades provide year-round color and texture.
Z4-9
Bobo HydrangeaShrubJul-Sep
Bobo Hydrangea
Dwarf paniculata smothered in blooms. Perfect front-of-border plant that needs almost no care.
Z3-8
Bridal Veil AstilbePerennialJun-Jul
Bridal Veil Astilbe
Graceful cascading white plumes on dark stems. Luminous in a shady corner.
Z3-8
Butterfly BushShrubJun-Oct
Butterfly Bush
Long, arching flower wands that butterflies absolutely lose their minds over.
Z5-10
California PoppyAnnualMar-Sep
California Poppy
Golden cups that carpet hillsides across the state. Closes at night and on cloudy days.
Z5-10
CampanulaPerennialJun-Aug
Campanula
Open, nodding bells in clear blue on tall graceful stems. Self-sows into refined cottage garden drifts.
Z3-8
Compass PlantPerennialJul-Sep
Compass Plant
Tall stems with large yellow daisies tower over deeply cut basal leaves that align north-south.
Z3-8
Coral HoneysuckleVineApr-Sep
Coral Honeysuckle
Non-invasive native honeysuckle with brilliant coral-red tubular flowers that hummingbirds hover at for months.
Z4-9
Culver's RootPerennialJul-Aug
Culver's Root
Tall tapering spires of tiny white flowers that bees mob. Vertical and elegant at the back of the border.
Z3-8
DelphiniumPerennialJun-Jul
Delphinium
Towering spires of true blue. The tallest, most dramatic back-of-border plant.
Z3-8
Don Juan Climbing RoseVineJun-Oct
Don Juan Climbing Rose
Deep velvety red climber with classic rose fragrance. Repeats reliably on a strong, vigorous plant.
Z5-10
Double Knock Out RoseShrubMay-Oct
Double Knock Out Rose
Fuller, double-petaled version of the Knock Out. Same bulletproof performance with more petal count.
Z5-10
Empress Wu HostaPerennialJul-Aug
Empress Wu Hosta
The world's largest hosta. Individual leaves can exceed two feet. A bold statement in any shade garden.
Z3-8
Endless Summer HydrangeaShrubJun-Sep
Endless Summer Hydrangea
Reblooms on old and new wood, so you get flowers even after a harsh winter. Color shifts with soil pH.
Z4-9
Ernest Markham ClematisVineJun-Sep
Ernest Markham Clematis
Magenta-red flowers with brown anthers that bloom late when others have faded. A solid, underappreciated red clematis.
Z4-9
Fanal AstilbePerennialJun-Jul
Fanal Astilbe
The deepest garnet-red of any astilbe. Dark bronze foliage makes those plumes glow.
Z3-8
Fire and Ice HostaPerennialJul-Jul
Fire and Ice Hosta
Stark white centers with deep green margins, high contrast that jumps out from a shady border.
Z3-8
FoxglovePerennialMay-Jul
Foxglove
Stately spires of spotted, bell-shaped flowers. Cottage garden royalty.
Z3-8
Frances Williams HostaPerennialJul-Aug
Frances Williams Hosta
Classic blue-green heart-shaped leaves with wide gold margins that make this one of the all-time great hostas.
Z3-8
Garden PhloxPerennialJul-Sep
Garden Phlox
Billowing clusters of fragrant summer color. A butterfly magnet.
Z3-8
Golden Tiara HostaPerennialJul-Aug
Golden Tiara Hosta
Small, fast-spreading mound with chartreuse-gold margins and one of the easiest hostas you can grow.
Z3-8
Guacamole HostaPerennialJul-Aug
Guacamole Hosta
Chartreuse-gold leaves with dark green margins and sweetly fragrant white flowers that perfume the shade garden.
Z3-8
Hagley Hybrid ClematisVineJun-Aug
Hagley Hybrid Clematis
Soft shell-pink flowers with a hint of mauve that fade beautifully in part shade and bloom reliably all summer.
Z4-9
Halcyon HostaPerennialJul-Aug
Halcyon Hosta
The bluest hosta you can grow. Thick, heavily textured leaves resist slugs better than most.
Z3-8
Hardy HibiscusPerennialJul-Sep
Hardy Hibiscus
Dinner-plate blooms up to 12 inches across on a native perennial that dies to the ground and returns bigger each year.
Z4-9
Hens and ChicksPerennialJun-Jul
Hens and Chicks
Tight rosettes that multiply by producing offsets. The mother plant flowers once, then dies, replaced by chicks.
Z3-8
HostaPerennialJul-Aug
Hosta
The undisputed queen of shade gardening. Foliage in every green and blue.
Z3-8
Hot Papaya ConeflowerPerennialJul-Sep
Hot Papaya Coneflower
Fiery double blooms like tiny orange dahlias on a coneflower. A showstopper that earns every bit of the hype.
Z4-9
HydrangeaShrubJun-Sep
Hydrangea
Massive mophead blooms that shift color with soil pH. Showstoppers.
Z5-10
Ice PlantPerennialJun-Sep
Ice Plant
Neon-bright daisy flowers that shimmer in the sun over succulent foliage. Thrives in hot, dry rock gardens.
Z5-10
Incrediball HydrangeaShrubJun-Aug
Incrediball Hydrangea
Annabelle's bigger sibling with stronger stems that don't flop. Blooms the size of basketballs.
Z3-8
Japanese IrisPerennialJun-Jul
Japanese Iris
Huge, flat, ruffled blooms up to 10 inches across. Needs consistent moisture, especially during bloom.
Z4-9
Joe-Pye WeedPerennialJul-Sep
Joe-Pye Weed
Towering native with mauve domes that butterflies swarm in late summer.
Z3-8
June HostaPerennialJul-Aug
June Hosta
Gold center streaked with blue-green margins. Color shifts through the season. A collector's favorite.
Z3-8
Karl Foerster Feather Reed GrassGrassJun-Aug
Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass
Strong vertical plumes emerge in early summer and persist as tawny stems through winter.
Z4-9
Knock Out RoseShrubMay-Oct
Knock Out Rose
The rose that changed everything. Disease-resistant, self-cleaning, and blooms nonstop from spring to frost.
Z5-10
LavenderPerennialJun-Aug
Lavender
Fragrant silver-green mounds beloved by bees and humans alike.
Z5-10
Limelight HydrangeaShrubJul-Sep
Limelight Hydrangea
Cone-shaped blooms open chartreuse, mature to white, then blush pink in fall. Tough as nails.
Z3-8
Little Lime HydrangeaShrubJul-Sep
Little Lime Hydrangea
Compact Limelight. Same color show in a smaller package perfect for borders and containers.
Z3-8
Luna Red HibiscusPerennialJul-Sep
Luna Red Hibiscus
Compact variety with enormous crimson blooms that stays tidy enough for a large container.
Z4-9
Magnus ConeflowerPerennialJun-Sep
Magnus Coneflower
The gold standard coneflower. Flat, non-drooping petals around a bold copper cone. Perennial Plant of the Year.
Z3-8
Mexican HatPerennialJun-Sep
Mexican Hat
Distinctive sombrero-like flowers sway on wiry stems in summer prairies.
Z4-9
Native SpiderwortPerennialMay-Jul
Native Spiderwort
Three-petaled flowers in blue-purple open fresh each morning on a tough native that blooms for weeks and seeds freely.
Z4-9
Northern Sea OatsGrassJul-Sep
Northern Sea Oats
Flat seed heads dangle from arching stems and dance in the slightest wind. The best native grass for shade.
Z4-9
OreganoPerennialJun-Aug
Oregano
Tiny flowers are a pollinator magnet when allowed to bloom. Let a patch go to flower for the bees.
Z4-9
Patriot HostaPerennialJul-Aug
Patriot Hosta
Dark green leaves with crisp white margins. Classic variegated hosta that brightens shady spots.
Z3-8
PenstemonPerennialMay-Jul
Penstemon
Tubular flowers on upright stems. Native hummingbird magnet for dry gardens.
Z3-8
Pinky Winky HydrangeaShrubJul-Sep
Pinky Winky Hydrangea
Two-tone blooms with white tips and pink bases. Strong stems hold heavy flower heads upright.
Z3-8
Polish Spirit ClematisVineJul-Sep
Polish Spirit Clematis
Deep violet-purple flowers cover a vigorous plant from midsummer to fall. Prune hard each spring and stand back.
Z4-9
PowWow Wild Berry ConeflowerPerennialJun-Sep
PowWow Wild Berry Coneflower
Compact, heavily branched, and smothered in deep rose-purple blooms. Reblooms without deadheading.
Z3-8
Prairie DockPerennialJul-Sep
Prairie Dock
Huge basal leaves and tall stalks topped with yellow daisies give strong prairie structure.
Z3-8
Purple Prairie CloverPerennialJun-Aug
Purple Prairie Clover
Brushy purple flower spikes rise over fine foliage and feed prairie pollinators.
Z3-8
Quick Fire HydrangeaShrubJun-Sep
Quick Fire Hydrangea
Blooms a full month before other paniculatas. White cones age to deep rosy pink by fall.
Z3-8
Rocky Mountain ColumbinePerennialMay-Jul
Rocky Mountain Columbine
Large blue-and-white spurred flowers bloom in late spring above lacy foliage.
Z3-8
Rocky Mountain PenstemonPerennialMay-Jul
Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Spikes of deep blue tubular flowers rise above glossy evergreen foliage in early summer.
Z3-8
Rose of SharonShrubJul-Oct
Rose of Sharon
Tropical-looking hibiscus flowers on a cold-hardy shrub. Blooms late.
Z5-10
Russian SagePerennialJul-Oct
Russian Sage
Airy lavender clouds on silver stems. Thrives in heat and poor soil.
Z4-9
Sagae HostaPerennialJul-Aug
Sagae Hosta
Huge gray-blue leaves with creamy margins on a stately, vase-shaped plant that wins awards for good reason.
Z3-8
Scarlet GiliaPerennialJun-Aug
Scarlet Gilia
Tubular red trumpets on a wiry biennial that hummingbirds adore across the Mountain West. Blooms its second year, then self-sows.
Z3-8
Sideoats GramaGrassJul-Sep
Sideoats Grama
Seed heads hang like tiny flags along one side of the stem on this graceful, drought-tolerant prairie native.
Z4-9
SpeedwellPerennialMay-Aug
Speedwell
Tidy spikes of blue that add vertical punch to the front of the border.
Z3-8
Stained Glass HostaPerennialJul-Aug
Stained Glass Hosta
Glossy gold center with dark green margins, like light through a cathedral window.
Z3-8
Sulphur FlowerPerennialJun-Jul
Sulphur Flower
Sulfur-yellow flower clusters on a silvery-leaved cushion plant. One of the toughest and prettiest natives of the Mountain West.
Z3-8
Sum and Substance HostaPerennialJul-Aug
Sum and Substance Hosta
Chartreuse giant that can take more sun than most hostas. Heart-shaped leaves grow enormous.
Z3-8
The President ClematisVineMay-Sep
The President Clematis
Big, rich violet-blue flowers with silvery reverse petals rebloom through the season on a vigorous, reliable plant.
Z4-9
Tufted Hair GrassGrassJun-Aug
Tufted Hair Grass
Airy gold-green flower clouds hover above dark evergreen tufts. One of the few grasses that thrives in moist shade.
Z4-9
Twinspike Coral BellsPerennialMay-Jul
Twinspike Coral Bells
Warm amber-caramel foliage that glows in the shade garden all season. The flowers are just a bonus.
Z4-9
Visions in Pink AstilbePerennialJul-Aug
Visions in Pink Astilbe
Compact and more drought-tolerant than most astilbes. Dense, rosy-pink plumes.
Z3-8
Western Red ColumbinePerennialMay-Jul
Western Red Columbine
Scarlet and yellow spurred flowers that hummingbirds follow through the Pacific Northwest's mountain meadows.
Z4-9
White Prairie CloverPerennialJun-Aug
White Prairie Clover
Cylindrical white flower spikes with orange anthers on a delicate, drought-proof prairie native that feeds bees all summer.
Z3-8
Wide Brim HostaPerennialJul-Aug
Wide Brim Hosta
Blue-green leaves with wide creamy-white margins that age to a clean white, a standout performer in any shade garden.
Z3-8
WinterberryShrubJun-Jul
Winterberry
Inconspicuous blooms, but covered in brilliant red berries all winter long.
Z3-8
AgastachePerennialJul-Sep
Agastache
Licorice-scented foliage and tubular orange-pink flowers that hummingbirds and butterflies find irresistible. Thrives on neglect.
Z5-9
Bloom-a-Thon AzaleaShrubApr-Sep
Bloom-a-Thon Azalea
Repeat-blooming azalea with waves of color spring through fall. Evergreen in mild climates.
Z5-9
Bottlebrush BuckeyeShrubJun-Jul
Bottlebrush Buckeye
Massive suckering shrub with foot-long white flower candles. Showpiece for large shade gardens.
Z4-8
ButtonbushShrubJul-Aug
Buttonbush
Weird and wonderful pincushion flowers like tiny white globes on a tough native that thrives in wet conditions.
Z5-9
Climbing HydrangeaVineJun-Jul
Climbing Hydrangea
Slow to start but spectacular once established, covering shady walls with flat-topped white lacecap flowers and exfoliating bark.
Z4-8
CrocosmiaBulbJul-Aug
Crocosmia
Arching sprays of fiery red-orange that hummingbirds go crazy for. Sword-like foliage adds structure.
Z5-9
Desert MarigoldPerennialMar-Oct
Desert Marigold
Cheerful desert wildflower that blooms almost year-round in warm climates. Thrives on neglect.
Z7-11
Double Delight RoseShrubMay-Sep
Double Delight Rose
Creamy white petals blush to strawberry red at the edges. Knockout fragrance matches the looks.
Z5-9
Emily McKenzie CrocosmiaBulbJul-Sep
Emily McKenzie Crocosmia
Bold orange blooms with red throats appear on graceful arching stems in late summer.
Z5-9
FeverfewPerennialJun-Aug
Feverfew
Clusters of small white daisies that bloom for weeks. Historic medicinal herb that self-sows readily.
Z5-9
Giant ConeflowerPerennialJul-Sep
Giant Coneflower
Towering stems with dramatically elongated cones rise above huge blue-green paddle leaves. An architectural native that commands attention.
Z5-9
Globe ArtichokePerennialJun-Aug
Globe Artichoke
Bold silvery foliage and large thistle-like buds are both decorative and edible.
Z7-11
GoatsbeardPerennialJun-Jul
Goatsbeard
Giant creamy plumes like an astilbe on steroids. Native woodland giant that anchors a shade border.
Z3-7
Golden Rain TreeTreeJun-Jul
Golden Rain Tree
Showers of small yellow flowers followed by papery lantern-like seed pods. Tolerates tough urban conditions.
Z5-9
Graham Thomas RoseShrubMay-Oct
Graham Thomas Rose
Rich golden-yellow cups with an intense tea rose fragrance. David Austin's most famous creation.
Z5-9
Hidcote LavenderPerennialJun-Aug
Hidcote Lavender
Compact and intensely dark purple. The standard against which all other lavenders are measured.
Z5-9
Indian Summer RudbeckiaAnnualJul-Sep
Indian Summer Rudbeckia
Massive 6-9 inch golden daisies on a short-lived plant. Bigger and bolder than perennial black-eyed susans.
Z3-7
Jackmanii ClematisVineJun-Sep
Jackmanii Clematis
The classic large-flowered clematis since 1858. Deep violet-purple blooms cover the vine midsummer.
Z4-8
Japanese Painted FernPerennialMay-Sep
Japanese Painted Fern
Silver and burgundy fronds unlike any other fern. Foliage plant that earns its keep on color alone.
Z4-8
Lady's MantlePerennialMay-Jul
Lady's Mantle
Chartreuse frothy flowers and pleated blue-green leaves that hold water droplets like mercury. The ultimate filler plant.
Z3-7
LigulariaPerennialJul-Aug
Ligularia
Bold, dinner-plate leaves with daisy-like flowers. Loves wet feet and will wilt dramatically if dry.
Z4-8
Mexican Feather GrassGrassMay-Jul
Mexican Feather Grass
Gossamer fine blades ripple in the slightest breeze like living silk. Plant where you can watch it move.
Z6-10
Mountain BluebellPerennialJun-Aug
Mountain Bluebell
Sky-blue bell flowers on tall arching stems along mountain streams. The showy western cousin of Virginia Bluebell.
Z3-7
Munstead LavenderPerennialJun-Aug
Munstead Lavender
Earlier blooming and slightly softer purple than Hidcote. Gertrude Jekyll's favorite for a reason.
Z5-9
New Dawn Climbing RoseVineJun-Sep
New Dawn Climbing Rose
The world's most popular climbing rose. Soft blush pink, sweetly fragrant, and remarkably vigorous.
Z5-9
Nikko Blue HydrangeaShrubJun-Aug
Nikko Blue Hydrangea
The classic blue mophead. Rich, true blue in acidic soil. A cottage garden essential.
Z5-9
Oakleaf HydrangeaShrubJun-Jul
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oak-shaped leaves turn burgundy in fall. White cone blooms age to pink. Four-season native shrub.
Z5-9
OceansprayShrubJun-Jul
Oceanspray
Cascading creamy white plumes on arching branches. Western Washington's summer answer to a native bridal veil.
Z5-9
Ostrich FernPerennialMay-Sep
Ostrich Fern
Tall vase-shaped fronds that unfurl from fiddleheads in spring. Spreads to form dramatic colonies.
Z3-7
Phenomenal LavenderPerennialJun-Aug
Phenomenal Lavender
Survives humidity and cold that kills other lavenders. Silver foliage stays tight and full.
Z5-9
Plumleaf AzaleaShrubJul-Aug
Plumleaf Azalea
The only azalea that blooms in midsummer, with fiery orange-red flowers that light up the late-season shade garden.
Z5-9
Red Hot PokerPerennialJun-Aug
Red Hot Poker
Torch-like spikes in fire-orange and yellow that hummingbirds zoom straight to. Bold and unforgettable.
Z5-9
Rose MallowPerennialJul-Sep
Rose Mallow
Enormous pale pink blooms up to 12 inches across on a wetland-loving native. Grow near a pond and you'll never look back.
Z5-9
Sea HollyPerennialJul-Sep
Sea Holly
Metallic blue bracts and cones turn the whole plant a vivid silvery-blue. Otherworldly and completely drought-proof.
Z4-8
Smoke TreeTreeJun-Jul
Smoke Tree
Airy pink flower plumes create a smoke-like haze around the canopy. 'Royal Purple' has burgundy foliage.
Z4-8
Stokes AsterPerennialJun-Sep
Stokes Aster
Fringed, shaggy-petaled flowers in shades of cornflower blue that bloom for weeks on a tough Southern native.
Z5-9
SundropPerennialJun-Aug
Sundrop
Bright yellow cups that open in daylight on a cheerful, drought-tolerant native that spreads into informal drifts.
Z4-8
Swamp MilkweedPerennialJun-Aug
Swamp Milkweed
Soft mauve-pink clusters that monarch butterflies seek out for egg-laying. Thrives where it's consistently wet.
Z3-7
Tall Phlox DavidPerennialJul-Sep
Tall Phlox David
Pure white fragrant phlox with the best mildew resistance in the species. A reliable, clean performer for the late-summer garden.
Z4-8
Tall VerbenaAnnualJun-Oct
Tall Verbena
Wiry stems topped with purple clusters that butterflies can't resist. See-through plant for layering.
Z7-11
Virginia SweetspireShrubJun-Jul
Virginia Sweetspire
Fragrant white bottlebrush flowers followed by brilliant orange-red fall color on a shade-tolerant, deer-resistant native.
Z5-9
American BeautyberryShrubJun-Jul
American Beautyberry
Inconspicuous flowers give way to stunning clusters of magenta-purple berries in fall. The berries are the show.
Z5-8
Century PlantPerennialJun-Jul
Century Plant
Grows for decades, then sends up a massive flower stalk up to 20 feet tall before dying. Worth the wait.
Z8-11
Chaste TreeShrubJul-Sep
Chaste Tree
Long lavender-blue spikes cover this heat-loving shrub all summer. One of the few shrubs that actually blooms in August.
Z6-9
Crape MyrtleTreeJun-Sep
Crape Myrtle
The tree of the South. Months of crinkled blooms and gorgeous peeling bark.
Z7-10
GardeniaShrubMay-Aug
Gardenia
Glossy evergreen foliage frames intensely fragrant white flowers from late spring into summer.
Z8-11
JasmineVineMar-Aug
Jasmine
Intensely sweet-scented white stars. The scent of warm southern evenings.
Z7-10
LantanaPerennialMay-Nov
Lantana
Multi-colored flower clusters that bloom relentlessly in brutal heat.
Z7-10
MasterwortPerennialJun-Aug
Masterwort
Intricate pincushion flowers surrounded by papery bracts in soft pinks and whites. Beloved by florists and shade gardeners alike.
Z4-7
Matilija PoppyPerennialMay-Jul
Matilija Poppy
Enormous fried-egg flowers on blue-gray stems. California's largest native wildflower. Spreads aggressively.
Z7-10
PomegranateShrubMay-Jul
Pomegranate
Brilliant orange-red blossoms in late spring and summer are followed by decorative, edible fruits.
Z8-11
Rozanne GeraniumPerennialMay-Oct
Rozanne Geranium
Violet-blue saucer flowers on a sprawling mound that blooms from late spring until frost. The most awarded perennial geranium in history.
Z5-8
StewartiaTreeJun-Jul
Stewartia
Camellia-like white flowers, exfoliating bark, and crimson fall color. The four-season tree professionals love.
Z5-8
Tiger LilyBulbJun-Aug
Tiger Lily
Spotted orange-yellow turk's cap blooms on tall stems. The fire-bright wildflower of Pacific Northwest meadows and open forests.
Z5-8
TuberoseBulbJul-Sep
Tuberose
Tall summer spikes of waxy white blooms release powerful evening fragrance.
Z7-10
Turk's CapPerennialJun-Nov
Turk's Cap
Nodding red hibiscus flowers that never fully open are pure hummingbird candy across the Gulf South.
Z7-10
Wax BegoniaAnnualMay-Oct
Wax Begonia
Glossy leaves and nonstop flowers in sun or shade. One of the most reliable bedding plants anywhere.
Z8-11
Wonderful PomegranateShrubMay-Jul
Wonderful Pomegranate
Reliable cultivar bearing large red fruits and vivid orange flowers.
Z8-11
Angel's TrumpetShrubMay-Oct
Angel's Trumpet
Huge pendant trumpets release intense evening fragrance over a long warm-season bloom.
Z9-11
BougainvilleaVineMar-Nov
Bougainvillea
Explosive cascades of papery bracts. Covers walls and fences in color.
Z9-11
CalibrachoaAnnualMay-Oct
Calibrachoa
Mini petunias that bloom nonstop in hanging baskets. Dozens of color options and no deadheading needed.
Z9-11
EcheveriaPerennialMay-Jul
Echeveria
Perfect rosettes in blue, green, pink, and purple. Bell-shaped flowers on arching stems. Frost-tender.
Z9-11
Hawaiian HibiscusShrubMar-Nov
Hawaiian Hibiscus
Large tropical blooms in vivid colors appear repeatedly from spring through fall.
Z9-11
MandevillaVineMay-Oct
Mandevilla
Glossy vines are covered in showy trumpet flowers from early summer to frost in warm climates.
Z9-11
Meyer LemonShrubJan-Dec
Meyer Lemon
Sweetly scented white blossoms appear intermittently year-round and set thin-skinned lemons.
Z9-11
PelargoniumAnnualMay-Oct
Pelargonium
The classic window-box geranium. Ball-shaped flower clusters above scalloped leaves. Tough container staple.
Z9-11
Pink DipladeniaShrubMay-Oct
Pink Dipladenia
Bushy form with glossy foliage and abundant pink trumpets suited to pots and borders.
Z9-11
Purple Fountain GrassGrassJul-Oct
Purple Fountain Grass
Burgundy foliage topped with fuzzy rose-colored plumes. Stunning in containers where it's treated as an annual in cold climates.
Z9-11
RodgersiaPerennialJun-Jul
Rodgersia
Huge textured leaves resembling horse chestnuts with fluffy plumes. Architectural shade statement.
Z5-7
Southern MagnoliaTreeMay-Jul
Southern Magnolia
Huge glossy-leaved tree bearing enormous lemon-scented white flowers. The quintessential symbol of the Deep South's summer.
Z7-9
Bird of ParadisePerennialMar-Dec
Bird of Paradise
Sculptural, crane-like flowers in orange and blue. Unmistakable.
Z9-10
ColeusAnnualJul-Aug
Coleus
Grown for kaleidoscopic foliage, not flowers. Pinch blooms to keep energy in the leaves.
Z10-11
Pink PlumeriaTreeMay-Oct
Pink Plumeria
Clusters of pink, sweetly scented blooms cover this classic tropical tree in summer.
Z10-11
PlumeriaTreeMay-Oct
Plumeria
Intoxicatingly fragrant tropical blooms. The flower of Hawaiian leis.
Z9-10
White PlumeriaTreeMay-Oct
White Plumeria
Highly fragrant white flowers with yellow centers appear in clusters on succulent branches.
Z10-11

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