Three garden plants great for July

patrickwiltshire3
Jul 15
2 min read

I'm here to show you three plants worth using in your planting scheme which look fab in July; all three flower well even in dry conditions and look the bees knees in a planting scheme here in East Yorkshire and in other parts of the country too.

Achillea

Yellow flowers and green plants grow against a red brick wall, creating a vibrant garden scene. No text visible. — Upright and vivid

These flowers are visually super intense with their bright yellow flowers which look like flying saucers coming in to land.
The leaves of Achillea are architectural; plants are effective in the centre of the border.
The plant are well-behaved in that they tend not to flop or sprawl as the summer goes on; I find they keep naturally upright and I've not yet had to truss them up with string.
Achillea is perennial so comes back year after year. No need to replenish Achillea numbers year on year which means more savings financially and lower-maintenance.
If bright yellow isn't your favourite colour there are other Achillea varieties with orange flowers, pink flowers and white flowers. Take your pick!

Oenothera (evening primrose)

Yellow evening primrose blooms in a garden with daisies and pink flowers. — Flowers are chalice-like

At the back of a border evening primroses are both graceful and elegant.
The scent is fresh and pleasant, a little more intense in evening hence the name.
The flowers appear two or three at a time over a long flowering season; once the individual blooms start to shrivel up, pluck the petals off gently and await the next few flowers.
Once all the flowers have done their thing, let the seed-heads turn brown, cut the stems and shake out the seeds onto the soil. Water the area and let the new generation of seedlings grow.
The fresh yellow contrasts well with nearby purple flowers; I suggest you plant them near purple dahlias, Echinacea (cone flowers) or miniature buddleya (the butterfly bush).

Echinops (globe thistle)

Blue pincushion flowers of globe thistles. Purple and yellow flowers bloom in a garden with green foliage. A brick structure is visible in the background, creating a serene scene. — Pincushion blue flowerheads

In mid summer globe thistles add to the centre of the flower border with spiky 'Sonic the Hedgehog'-like flowers. Architecturally they get my approval both with regards to the flowers and the leaves, which although spiky, look dramatic and sophisticated.
They're much loved by honey bees and a range of other insects so help keep your garden animated and full of biodiversity.
I find globe thistles take dry weather well and that why I like them in hot, sunny parts of the gardens I tend in East Yorkshire.
Globe thistles make great additions to bouquets if you want to add flowers to contrast with blousy roses or feathery goldenrod.