Upright July Blooms: Vertical Color for the Summer Garden

/

In July, the garden enters its high-summer glory, and upright bloomers take center stage.

These upright blooms not only provide structure but also attract pollinators, support beneficial insects, and offer a bold display of color and form.

Here are a handful of stunners in the nursery:

Erysimum linifolium (Wallflower)

Though more commonly seen in spring, this long-blooming wallflower keeps going into July in cooler zones or with deadheading. Erysimum linifolium features narrow, linear foliage and vertical spikes of blooms. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, often blooming for months.

Highlights:

  • Height: 1–2 feet

  • Compact and floriferous

  • Great for containers and borders


Kniphofia ‘Hot and Cold’ (Red Hot Poker)

An eye-catching contrast of scarlet and ivory, ‘Hot and Cold’ is a standout cultivar of Kniphofia. Its dramatic torch-like blooms add vertical flair to the garden. Plant it in full sun with good drainage and enjoy the hummingbird traffic.

Highlights:

  • Height: 3–4 feet

  • Bold, bicolored blooms

  • Deer-resistant and heat-tolerant

Monkshood (Aconitum napellus)

A dramatic and sometimes overlooked perennial, monkshood produces spikes of hooded indigo blooms in midsummer. Though highly toxic (handle with care), its stately posture and cool blue tone are unmatched. Best in moist, rich soils with partial shade, it’s a refreshing counterpart to July’s warmer palette.

Highlights:

  • Height: 3–5 feet

  • Unique flower shape and cool tones

  • A good vertical accent in shadier gardens

Coreopsis 'Lil Bang Darling Clementine'

From the Lil Bang series, ‘Darling Clementine’ stands out with rich tangerine-orange blooms that dance above finely textured foliage. While most Coreopsis spread horizontally, this cultivar maintains a tidy, upright habit with a profusion of blooms all summer long.

Highlights:

  • Height: 12–15 inches

  • Excellent for edging sunny borders

  • Drought-tolerant and long blooming

Spotted Bee Balm (Monarda punctata)

A pollinator magnet, Monarda punctata, or spotted bee balm, rises in whorled tiers of creamy-lavender bracts with speckled tubular blooms. Native to much of North America, this plant thrives in dry, sandy soils and hot sun. Its upright, architectural habit pairs beautifully with perennial grasses.

Highlights:

  • Height: 2–3 feet

  • Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

  • Aromatic and drought-tolerant


Physostegia virginiana ‘Miss Manners’ (Obedient Plant)

Unlike her unruly cousins, ‘Miss Manners’ is well-behaved in the garden, maintaining a neat, upright form. Its crisp white snapdragon-like flowers bloom along sturdy stems, loved by bees and butterflies. Tolerant of wet soils and sun to part shade, this native cultivar brings elegant height to sunny beds.

Highlights:

  • Height: 2–3 feet

  • Long bloom time

  • Non-invasive and compact for an obedient plant


To support the vertical growth of these plants, consider staking taller varieties like monkshood if they begin to lean or are exposed to strong winds. Pairing upright bloomers with mounding companions such as salvia, sedum, or ornamental grasses can provide natural support and visual contrast. Additionally, ensuring good airflow around the plants is important (especially if we get a couple of rainy weeks in a row).