Squash Blossom. Photo by Judith Canty Graves
July is April’s hope, May’s promise and June’s growth pushing toward completion. July is mid-Summer, a season in itself. — Hal Borland, nature writer
By Judith Canty Graves
As I look around my garden during the month of July, I see the vibrancy of all the plants that are reaching for the sky. This time is the peak of summer with healthy plants that grow vigorously. All the early preparation that has been building for the last few months is culminating under the intense sun. I spend the winter visualizing my garden beds, and July brings my vision to life. This is the time when my backyard is truly alive, especially with all the insects and birds visiting the garden that I have created.
Every morning I walk around my vegetable and flower beds to inspect the plants, which change daily. Small seedlings one day turn into expansive plants the next, almost doubling in size overnight. Every plant has its own life cycle. By July, the macrophylla hydrangeas have faded in the heat, but the Limelight and Quick Fire panicle hydrangeas, which started producing tiny buds in the spring, are growing abundant blooms this month. These hydrangeas thrive in the heat and sun of July.
Swallowtail on a Tithonia sunflower. Photo by Judith Canty Graves
Another plant that thrives in the summer is the Mexican Sunflower, or Tithonia. Every May I plant the tiny seeds, and approximately eight weeks later, these seeds grow into plants that can be four to six feet tall and three feet wide. In a sunny spot, Tithonia produces hundreds of bright orange flowers that attract many bees and butterflies.
Two other plants that are easy to grow in full sun are zinnias and sunflowers. Zinnias start to reach their mature height of three to four feet in July, showcasing vibrant blooms that will attract more pollinators. Sunflower seeds planted in May start to produce tall stalks with large leaves; their blooms will come in August. I enjoy watching their growth as they get taller every day, some as tall as 12 feet.
Vegetables flourish in the heat and sun as they mature. Okra is taller each day with delicate flowers that are related to hibiscus. The squash plants have substantial leaves with luminous golden flowers that form underneath them, lighting up the dense growth. Green beans twirl their way up the trellis, climbing higher each day. Later in the summer, bean pods will form from the small white flowers on the vines.
The tomatoes and peppers are ripe and delicious. It is a treat to check them every day and bring the ripe ones into the kitchen for lunch and dinner. The Sun Sugar cherry tomatoes live up to their name! Several other types of tomatoes, such as Mountain Fresh and Mountain Pride, which have been bred for the climate in Western North Carolina, are equally delicious.
When the weather begins to change later in August, many plants start to fade, so I appreciate the beauty and bounty that the heat of July brings, when all the plants are at their fullest stage of growth.
Judith Canty Graves is an award-winning columnist with a home garden in Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily.
