Planting these 5 biennials in July will result in a vibrant, colorful garden:
As the summer months approach, it's time to consider planting biennial flowers for a vibrant and colourful garden in the following year. Here are some top recommendations, along with their care instructions, to help you create a stunning display.
## Best Biennial Plants to Plant in July
### Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea)
Known for their tall flower spikes, available in a variety of colours, especially pinks and whites, Foxgloves are perfect for borders and woodland edges. To care for Foxgloves, plant them in well-drained soil in partial shade. They thrive in woodland edges or cottage gardens. Start seeds indoors in trays or modules in June or July, and transplant outdoors in late August or September. Please note that all parts of Foxgloves are toxic if ingested.
### Forget-me-not (Myosotis spp.)
With delicate, small blue flowers, Forget-me-nots are ideal for borders and underplanting. These plants prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. Sow seeds directly in the garden in July, and they will bloom the following spring. Allow them to self-seed for naturalized displays.
### Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)
Sweet William produces clustered flowers in bright or pastel shades, often with a spicy fragrance. Plant them in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. Sow in July indoors or outdoors, and thin seedlings as needed for good air circulation. Sweet William is well-suited for borders and containers.
### Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea)
Hollyhocks boast tall spikes of large, showy flowers in a range of colours. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Sow seeds in July directly where they are to flower, and protect young plants from slugs and snails. Hollyhocks can be short-lived perennials but are often grown as biennials.
### Wallflowers (Erysimum cheiri)
Wallflowers offer profuse, fragrant blooms in golds, purples, and oranges. Grow them in full sun, and well-drained soil is essential. Sow seeds in July or buy plug plants to establish for blooms the next spring. Wallflowers are excellent for spring displays and pollinators.
## Additional Care Tips
- For most biennials, sow seeds thinly in trays or modules indoors or under cover, then transplant outdoors in late summer or early autumn. - Most biennials prefer well-drained soil. Add organic matter if the soil is heavy. - Keep soil moist during germination and water young plants regularly until established. - Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. - Thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding and improve air circulation. - In colder regions, overwinter seedlings under cover or in a cold frame before planting out in spring.
## Quick Reference Table
| Plant | Bloom Time | Light Needs | Soil Needs | Key Care Tip | |---------------|------------|---------------|--------------------|-----------------------------| | Foxgloves | Spring | Partial shade | Well-drained | Start indoors; self-seeds | | Forget-me-not | Spring | Partial shade | Moist, drained | Sow directly; self-seeds | | Sweet William | Spring | Sun/part sun | Well-drained | Thin seedlings | | Hollyhocks | Spring/early summer | Full sun | Well-drained | Protect from slugs | | Wallflowers | Spring | Full sun | Well-drained | Sow or plug in July |
By planting these biennials in July, you will ensure a garden bursting with colour and interest in the following year. Hollyhocks are a popular biennial choice for gardeners, known for their tall spikes of large, showy flowers. Wallflowers are biennial plants that produce a profusion of bright, fragrant flowers in a variety of colours. Sweet William prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and seeds can be sown in June either directly in the garden or in trays. Forget-me-nots need moist, well-drained soil to flourish and can be sown in July. Foxgloves should be sown in June and July, and planted outdoors in late August or September. These plants can self-seed and return year-on-year, making them a great addition to any garden.
Plant wallflowers, a type of biennial, in July for vibrant, fragrant blooms the following spring. Sweet William, another biennial, prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and can be sown in June or July for blooms in the spring.
