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. 

In Hendrie Park, the Lily Collection features vibrant cultivars of orange, red, white and yellow, while over at Laking Garden, Clematis climb sculptural iron trees. In the rose garden, find colourful companion plants including Butterfly Milkweed, Lavender, Yarrow, and Meadow Rue.

Pictured, left to right: Clematis, Water Lily, Yarrow, Lily

Throughout the month, pollinators rejoice as nectar-producing blooms pop up across the gardens! Explore Hendrie Park’s Helen M. Kippax Garden, Rose Garden, and Global Garden to spot bees, butterflies and more atop colourful blooms, including Bee Balm, Butterfly Milkweed, Coneflower, Black Eyed Susan, Blazing Star, Joe-Pye Weed, Salvia, Betony, and Blanket Flower. 

The titular plants in the Rose Garden bloom in flushes throughout the summer, sometimes bringing a rainbow of Rose all at once, while in other years individual cultivars provide bursts of colour on their own schedule. 

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: 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.  

In Laking Garden, the Heritage Garden shines with Snapdragon, Sweet Alyssum, Cosmos and Lavendar. Perennials and grasses reach towering heights on the middle terrace, surrounding bursts of yellow, white, pink and orange from delightful Daylilies, Salt Marsh Mallow and Culver’s Root. 

Pictured, left to right: Crocosmia, Hibiscus, Lindheimer’s Beeblossom, Bottlebrush Buckeye, 

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.