July is the peak of summer in the UK, and the garden is alive with rich colours and buzzing wildlife. While many flowers are already in full bloom, July offers a fantastic chance to plant and sow varieties that will keep your garden looking vibrant well into autumn. Whether you have a spacious country garden or a small balcony in the city, knowing what to plant in July helps you maintain continuous colour and interest during the warmer months.
Late Summer and Autumn Bloomers
July is an excellent time to plant summer-flowering bulbs like dahlias and gladiolus if you haven’t done so already. These bulbs thrive in warm soil and sunny spots, producing bold blooms that carry on well into autumn. Dahlias, in particular, come in a vast array of colours and shapes, making them a brilliant choice for adding drama and texture to your borders or containers.
For autumn interest, consider planting hardy perennials such as asters and sedums. These flowers start blooming in late summer and continue well into the cooler months, providing a splash of colour when many other plants are fading.
Sowing Seeds for Continuous Colour
July is perfect for sowing hardy annuals such as calendula, cosmos and sunflowers directly into the garden. These easy-to-grow flowers will bloom within weeks and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. They’re also great for cutting gardens, offering beautiful blooms for indoor arrangements.
For gardeners looking ahead, sow biennials such as wallflowers and sweet williams this month. These plants will establish themselves over winter and provide wonderful colour next spring and summer.
Refreshing Containers and Hanging Baskets
Containers and hanging baskets often need a little TLC in July to keep them flourishing. This is the ideal time to deadhead spent blooms and replace any tired or fading plants with fresh summer bedding like fuchsias, petunias and lobelia. Mixing trailing plants with upright varieties creates a fuller, more dynamic display.
Regular feeding with a liquid fertiliser and consistent watering—preferably in the early morning or evening—will help container plants thrive during warmer spells.
Soil Care and Watering Tips
With warmer weather, soil can dry out quickly, especially in containers and raised beds. Mulching around plants helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Organic mulches such as bark chips or straw also improve soil quality over time.
Watering deeply but less frequently encourages strong root growth, making plants more resilient during dry periods. Avoid watering in the heat of the day to reduce evaporation and the risk of fungal diseases.
Small Garden and Urban Gardening Solutions
For small spaces, July is a great month to plant compact, fast-growing annuals in pots or window boxes. Calibrachoa, dwarf dahlias and marigolds perform beautifully in containers and bring vibrant colour to balconies and patios.
Vertical gardening with climbing plants such as sweet peas or nasturtiums continues to be a space-saving solution, adding height and interest without taking up ground space.
Supporting Wildlife and Sustainability
July is a key time to support pollinators and beneficial insects. Flowers like cosmos and calendula attract bees, butterflies and hoverflies, helping maintain a balanced garden ecosystem.
Avoiding chemical pesticides and using organic fertilisers encourages healthy plant growth and wildlife activity. Collecting rainwater for irrigation is an eco-friendly practice that conserves water during drier months.
In Summary
July is a vibrant and busy month for planting in the UK garden. By choosing summer bulbs, sowing hardy annuals and refreshing containers, gardeners can maintain a colourful and dynamic garden throughout the summer and into autumn. With thoughtful watering and care, your July plantings will flourish and provide joy for months to come.
