What’s in Bloom? July at RBG

What Blooms in July?

Note: this is a general guide of what typically blooms this month at RBG. Bloom periods may vary by up to 2 weeks. For the best view of what’s blooming right now at RBG, see the current photos on RBG’s Instagram, or find the “Bloom Watch” section on the What’s in Bloom page.

July means summer is well underway at RBG! Warm weather and sunshine brings spectacular colours and blooms across the Gardens. 

Early in the month at Rock Garden, beautiful perennials including Cranesbill Geranium, Common Yarrow, Betony, Coneflower and Sunflower just start to bloom. A variety of bountiful botanicals greet visitors to the lower bowl as elegant Water Lily float serenely in the water feature. Don’t miss the stunning Bottlebrush Buckeye in full glory near the Garden House, a specimen originally planted in 1930. 

Pictured, left to right: Buckeye Bottlebrush, Water Lily, Yarrow, Lily

In Hendrie Park, the Rose Garden blooms in flushes throughout the summer—sometimes bringing a rainbow of roses all at once, while at other times, individual cultivars offer bursts of colour on their own schedule. You’ll also find a vibrant mix of companion plants including Lavender, Yarrow, and Meadow Rue—adding colour, texture, and vital support for the Roses.

Pollinators rejoice as nectar-rich blooms emerge across the gardens. Wander through the Helen M. Kippax Garden to spot bees, butterflies, and more, busy among a spectacular array of native flowers—including Bee Balm, Butterfly Milkweed, Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Blazing Star, Joe-Pye weed, and more.

Explore the trails for sights of wildlife and to spot white and yellow Water Lily. Try Creekside walk in Hendrie Valley, or the Captain Cootes trail along Cootes Paradise.

Pictured, left to right: Butterfly Milkweed, Rose, Bee Balm, Coneflower

July closes with more beautiful perennials across the gardens. Cranesbill, White Goldenrod, Coral Bells, Smoketree and Hibiscus provide sensational summer views throughout Rock Garden.

Flourishing companion plants create a sea of purple, pink and red in the Rose Garden; look for stunning Phlox, fiery Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ and delicate Lindheimer’s Beeblossom. See if you can catch Sacred lotus in their brief, but beautiful bloom period. 

Pictured, left to right: Crocosmia, Hibiscus, Lindheimer’s Beeblossom, Sacred Lotus.

Laking Garden has now closed for the season, following the spectacular spring displays. Our next major horticultural project is the relocation of the historic Laking Garden’s Iris Collection to Hendrie Park. While the irises are moving out of Laking Garden it will continue to be an important garden space for RBG. The bright future of Laking Garden involves transforming this garden into an exciting space focused on education and engagement. This reimagined area will connect people with plants in an innovative hands-on way, and we are excited to share more about this next chapter soon

July Favourites

Plants that typically flower in July at RBG

• Annuals
• Astilbe
• Bee Balm
• Betony
• Black Eyed Susan
• Blanket Flower
• Blazing Star
• Bottlebrush Buckeye
• Butterfly Milkweed
• Catmint
• Clematis
• Coneflower
• Coral Bells
• Crocosmia
• Daisy
• Hosta
• Hydrangea
• Joe-Pye Weed
• Lavendar
• Lily
• Lotus*
• Phlox
• Rose
• Salvia
• Smoketree
• Sunflower
• Water Lily
• Yarrow

*These plants have short bloom times and are very weather dependent. Check our social media feeds closer to bloom time for updates.