9 Flowers You Can Still Plant In July For Late-Season Color

Although July is a slightly unconventional time to be planting flowers, it still works extremely well and can add tons of late-season color to your garden. I’ve been a fan of July planting throughout my gardening journey. 

If you’re looking for flower options you can play around with this July, you’re in the right place! 

Today, we’ll be taking a look at one carefully curated and comprehensive list of flowers you can plant in July for late-season beauty. This article will be especially useful for folks gardening in zones 4-9. Let’s dive right into it! 

Is It Too Late To Plant Flowers In July? Not At All!

One of the biggest mistakes flower growers make is believing in this ancient gardening myth that by July, it’s too late to plant anything, and whatever is planted around this time will burn in the summer heat till it’s no more. 

This couldn’t be farther from the truth. 

To be fair, it does get quite hot as July begins to set in, but that’s why you need to pick heat-tolerant and resilient flowers that can survive the harshness of temperature extremes. Since the soil is warmer (which allows for faster germination), many flowers actually thrive when planted mid-summer.

And if you’re also thinking about veggies, here are some great options to plant in July by zone for a late-summer harvest.

Fast-Growing Flowers You Can Still Plant In July

1: Zinnias

In zones 3-10, zinnias begin to bloom in just 60 days of planting. These vibrant, resilient flowers are perfect for containers and garden borders, attracting tons of butterflies and thriving in the heat. 

If you want nonstop blooms and bold color, here’s how to feed zinnias properly.

2: Marigolds

The marigold is considered the gold standard when it comes to natural pest repellents in the garden. In zones 3-10, it’s ready to bloom in just about 50-60 days. The bright yellow and orange blooms attract pollinators while keeping unwanted winged guests at bay. 

For fuller blooms and healthier plants, try these marigolds growing tips.

3: Cosmos

Long and airy cosmos flowers are ideal for garden beds and background borders in zones 4-10. They start to bloom within 60-70 days of planting and are excellent for pollinators as well as cut flowers. 

4: Nasturtiums

Out of all the flowers on this list, nasturtiums probably take the least time to grow. In zones 4-9, they’re already up and blooming in only 35-50 days. Vibrant nasturtium blooms do very well in containers and hanging baskets, and they’re a wonderful companion plant too. 

They’re also great companion plants, take a look at these tips on how to use them in your vegetable garden.

5: Sunflowers (Dwarf Varieties)

Dwarf sunflower varieties like ‘Sunspot’ are excellent for planting in containers and tight spaces around the garden. They’re best planted in zones 3-9 and should begin blooming in just 60-70 days. 

You’ll notice your garden getting much more attention from bees and birds once the sunflowers have established in there. 

6: Calendulas 

Despite their soft and delicate appearance, calendulas are actually quite resilient and can withstand both heat and cold, making them ideal for late-season planting. They thrive in zones 3-9 and are typically already blooming within 50-60 days of planting. 

7: Petunias (Seedlings Or Fast-Starting Varieties)

Plant suitable petunia varieties in zones 4-10 to add late-season color to containers or in the garden. This perennial spreads super fast and can be found blooming in as little as 40 days. 

To keep them going strong, here are a few simple tasks that will keep your petunias blooming all summer.

8: Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia)

If you plant black-eyed Susans in July, they’ll start blooming around the end of the season. Zones 4-9 are ideal for planting this perennial, and although it may not bloom so well in northern zones this year, it can still provide long-lasting flowers and color later on. 

9: Celosia

Plant this little-known annual in zones 4-10 in small pots, around garden borders, or as cut flowers. In the late season, celosias will bloom in roughly 60 days of planting thanks to their heat-tolerant nature. 

Important Tips For Planting Flowers In July

Also, if you’re expecting extreme heat, here’s how to protect your garden from a heat wave and keep those blooms thriving.

Let’s Conclude

I’m done with internet gardeners condemning random months and seasons as “too late” for planting. Any experienced gardener would know that it’s simply not true.

I mean, ofcourse, certain plants will thrive when planted at particular times, but that doesn’t mean late-season planting is pointless. 

Like you learned today, there are many popular flowers and their lesser-known varieties that thrive in mid-summer. And if you’re still unsure what to grow, here are some more heat-loving plants that won’t mind the scorching sun!