As summer reaches its peak and temperatures soar, you might find that some of your plants are struggling to cope with the heat. Fear not, as there are plenty of stunning plants that thrive in these conditions and can even bring a touch of vibrant beauty to your garden.
In this article, we explore ten of the best plants for July heat, perfect for adding a splash of color and life to your outdoor space.
To ensure that your garden perseveres through the scorching summer months, it’s important to select plants that can withstand high temperatures and appreciate the sun’s warm embrace. These ten plants not only tolerate the heat, but they also flourish in it, showcasing an array of captivating colors and textures.
From bold flowers to lush foliage, these plants are thoughtfully chosen with your summer garden in mind. Read on to discover your new favorite heat-tolerant plants that will keep your garden looking magnificent throughout July and beyond.
10 Stunning Plants for July Heat
Thriving in High Temperatures
When the sun is scorching hot this July, consider these heat-loving plants for your garden. Not only are they visually stunning, but they also tolerate the summer heat.
- Lantana: With its vibrant and colorful flowers, Lantana thrives in full sun. Butterflies and hummingbirds love this plant too, so it’s perfect for wildlife enthusiasts.
- Canna Lily: This bold and tropical plant does well in hot temperatures. Its large, vibrant blooms and striking leaves make it an eye-catching addition to your garden.
- Zinnia: These hearty flowers are a favorite for their easy care and variety of colors. Zinnias thrive in full sun and grow quickly, making them ideal for filling in garden gaps.
Low Maintenance Requirements
These stunning plants are not only heat-tolerant but also low-maintenance, making them perfect for busy gardeners.
- Sedum: Also known as stonecrop, this succulent comes in various species that require minimal watering and care.
- Russian Sage: With its delicate, lavender-like flowers and silvery-blue foliage, Russian sage adds a lovely touch to your garden, and it’s drought-tolerant too.
- Portulaca: Featuring vibrant, colorful flowers that open during the day and close at night, portulaca is a low-maintenance option due to its drought-resistant nature.
- Agave: This striking, evergreen succulent conserves water and can survive the heat with only occasional watering. It also adds a unique sculptural element to your garden.
- Euphorbia: With its fascinating, varied forms, euphorbia adds intrigue to your garden while being drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
- Yucca: This desert plant with its lovely, architectural shape can grow in sandy, well-drained soil and thrive in hot conditions. It’s an excellent choice for low-water gardens.
By choosing these gorgeous plants that tolerate the July heat and require minimal maintenance, you can create a stunning, easy-to-care-for garden oasis that will attract wildlife and provide beauty all summer long.
Adaptable Succulents
Succulents are perfect plants for the July heat, as they can thrive in less-than-ideal conditions. These low-maintenance plants store water in their leaves, stems, and roots, allowing them to survive in hot and dry environments. In this section, we’ll look into two popular and stunning succulents: Aloe Vera and Echeveria.
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera, known for its healing properties, is a sun-loving succulent. It’s easy to grow and requires minimal care. Place your Aloe Vera in a bright spot, but avoid direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. Make sure to:
- Water: Provide thorough watering, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can cause root rot.
- Soil: Use a well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix to prevent waterlogged conditions.
2. Echeveria
Echeveria, with its rosette-shaped leaves, is another excellent option for hot July weather. These plants come in a variety of colors, providing visual interest to any garden space. To care for your Echeveria, follow these guidelines:
- Light: Provide direct sunlight or bright, indirect light. Echeverias require at least 4-6 hours of sunlight for healthy growth.
- Water: Water deeply and allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. Avoid splashing water on the leaves, as this can cause rot.
- Soil: Plant your Echeveria in a well-draining cactus or succulent mix to ensure proper drainage.
Both Aloe Vera and Echeveria are fantastic choices for adding color and texture to your garden during the hot summer months. They’re low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and provide unique shapes and forms to your garden or home.
Bright Annuals
3. Marigold
During the blazing heat of July, you may want to brighten your garden with some stunning and heat-tolerant plants. Marigolds are a fantastic choice for the job, as they thrive in warm temperatures and can withstand full sun. The vibrant shades of orange, yellow, and red that these flowers display are eye-catching and add a lively touch to your garden.
Marigolds are rather low maintenance, requiring only well-drained soil to prosper. To care for these plants, be sure to:
- Water them regularly, but avoid overwatering as they prefer slightly dry conditions.
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage new growth.
- Apply a slow-release fertilizer to promote steady, healthy growth throughout the season.
4. Zinnia
Another bright annual to consider for your garden is the zinnia. This flowering plant comes in several striking colors, like pink, red, yellow, or white, and is a great addition to any outdoor space. Its strong heat tolerance and love for full sun make it an impeccable option for July’s warmth.
Zinnias are easy to grow and require minimal care. Here are some helpful tips for growing these vivid beauties in your garden:
- Choose a location with full sun and well-drained soil for the best results.
- Space zinnia plants properly, around 6–18 inches apart, depending on the variety, to allow for healthy airflow and growth.
- Water zinnias at the base rather than overhead, keeping the soil evenly moist but avoiding standing water to prevent disease.
- Encourage a longer blooming season by deadheading faded flowers.
Incorporating bright annuals like marigolds and zinnias into your garden during the July heat will not only add gorgeous splashes of color, but also provide plants that can handle the high temperatures. Happy gardening!
Drought-Tolerant Perennials
When the heat of July starts to take its toll, you might want to consider adding some drought-tolerant perennials to your garden. These plants can withstand the scorching summer sun and look beautiful while doing it. In this section, we’ll introduce you to two stunning options: Russian Sage and Yucca.
5. Russian Sage
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a perfect choice for your hot and dry garden because of its ability to handle intense sunlight and drought conditions. With its tall, spiky stems and delicate, lavender-blue flowers, it can truly make an eye-catching statement in your landscape.
To grow Russian Sage successfully:
- Plant it in a well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 to 7.0
- Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings
6. Yucca
Yucca is another excellent option for a drought-tolerant, heat-loving perennial. These plants are known for their dramatic foliage and architectural structure, creating a focal point in your garden.
Some tips for growing Yucca:
- Choose a well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5
- Ensure it gets plenty of sunlight, ideally 8 or more hours a day
- Water sparingly, as over-watering can lead to rotting
Remember to give both Russian Sage and Yucca time to establish their roots in your garden before they can showcase their full drought-tolerant potential. If you provide the right conditions, these perennials will reward you with stunning displays even in the hottest and driest months of the year.
Water-Wise Shrubs
As July heat intensifies, it’s important to consider plants that can thrive in these conditions. Water-wise shrubs are an excellent choice for your garden; they not only look great but also require minimal water once established. This will allow you to conserve precious resources while keeping your landscape looking lush and vibrant.
7. Bottlebrush Plant
The Bottlebrush Plant (Callistemon) is a picturesque drought-tolerant shrub known for its vibrant red, brush-like flowers that give it its name. These flowers are magnets for hummingbirds and butterflies. To keep your Bottlebrush Plant happy, plant it in well-draining soil and place it in an area with full sun to partial shade. It requires minimal water, making it perfect for your water-wise garden.
Some easy-to-grow Bottlebrush Plant varieties include:
- Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis): With its gracefully arching branches, this variety can grow up to 15-20 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide.
- Dwarf Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus ‘Little John’): A small, compact shrub reaching 3-5 feet in height, perfect for smaller landscapes or container gardening.
8. Texas Sage
Another striking water-wise shrub is Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens). Also known as Barometer Bush, this beauty is native to the Southwest and thrives in full sun with well-draining soil. Its silvery, velvety foliage contrasts dramatically with the vibrant purple blooms, creating a stunning display in your garden.
Texas Sage is extremely drought-tolerant, requiring little to no supplemental irrigation. The shrub can grow up to 6-8 feet tall and wide and can be easily pruned to maintain a desired shape.
Remember, when choosing plants for your July heat garden, these two water-wise shrubs can add a touch of beauty while helping you conserve water. Give Bottlebrush Plant and Texas Sage a chance, and they’re sure to become treasured additions to your landscape.
Ornamental Grasses for Texture
Ornamental grasses are a fantastic choice to add texture and color to your garden, especially during the hot July days. They are low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and look great all season long. In this section, we will discuss two stunning ornamental grasses perfect for adding to your garden: Blue Fescue and Purple Fountain Grass.
9. Blue Fescue
Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) is a compact, evergreen grass that adds a unique touch to your outdoor space. Its blue-silver foliage creates a striking contrast against the green leaves of other plants in your garden. Here’s what you need to know about growing Blue Fescue:
- Size: This grass typically grows 6 to 12 inches tall and 6 to 10 inches wide.
- Sunlight: Blue Fescue thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
- Soil: It prefers well-draining soil and can handle poor, rocky conditions.
- Watering: Water your Blue Fescue regularly, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Companion Plants: Pair Blue Fescue with drought-tolerant plants like sedums, yuccas, or echinaceas.
10. Purple Fountain Grass
Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) is a stunning ornamental grass known for its arching, deep purple foliage and tall, flower-like plumes. It sways gently in the breeze, adding movement and a touch of elegance to your garden. Here are some helpful tips for growing Purple Fountain Grass:
- Size: This grass reaches 3 to 5 feet in height and 2 to 4 feet in width.
- Sunlight: Purple Fountain Grass grows best in full sun.
- Soil: It is adaptable to most soil types, but well-draining soil is ideal.
- Watering: Water your Purple Fountain Grass regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Companion Plants: Pair it with other drought-tolerant plants such as salvia, agastache, or coneflowers.
Both Blue Fescue and Purple Fountain Grass offer unique colors and textures to make your garden stand out during the hot summer months. Give these grasses a try and watch your garden transform into a stunning oasis.
Caring Tips for Your July Heat Garden
As you plan and maintain your garden in the intense summer heat, it is crucial to follow some essential care tips to help your plants thrive. Here are some friendly suggestions to ensure your garden remains stunning during the hot July weather:
First, make sure to water your plants consistently and deeply. While some plants are more drought-tolerant, most of them will benefit from consistent watering. As a general rule, you should aim to water your garden in the early morning or late evening to avoid rapid evaporation. Soaking the roots deeply will encourage healthy and resilient growth.
In the intense July heat, mulching becomes your best friend. A layer of mulch around your plants will help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic options like wood chips, straw, or compost provide additional benefits as they break down and enrich your soil.
When selecting plants for your July heat garden, keep in mind which plants are considered heat-tolerant. Some examples include:
- Lantana
- Echinacea
- Gaillardia
- Coreopsis
- Salvia
Also, remember to group plants with similar water needs together. This practice will not only save water but also save time by making the watering process more efficient. It will reduce the risk of over-watering or under-watering your plants.
Lastly, keep your plants looking fresh by deadheading and pruning regularly. Remove any spent blossoms and unwanted growth to encourage new blooms and a tidy appearance. Some plants, like petunias and geraniums, will benefit from a mid-summer trim to promote additional flowering throughout the season.
Enjoy the vibrant colors and the beauty of your garden by following these caring tips during the hot July days!
