July might be peak vacation season for people, but in New Jersey’s native gardens, it’s showtime. This is when pollinator-friendly perennials, shrubs, and grasses take center stage, offering color, habitat, and nectar at the height of summer. Whether you're tending a full-fledged native garden or just starting out, July offers the perfect opportunity to see which plants thrive in our region’s heat and humidity while supporting local ecosystems.

Here are some standout New Jersey native plants that bloom in July:

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)

Bloom Color: Fiery orange
Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
Pollinator Power: A favorite of monarchs, bees, and wasps
Why We Love It: Long bloom time, drought tolerant, and stunning in mass plantings

Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot)

Bloom Color: Lavender-pink
Growing Conditions: Sun to part shade, average soil
Pollinator Power: Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees
Why We Love It: Fragrant leaves, mildew-resistant compared to other Monardas

Eutrochium purpureum (Joe Pye Weed)

Bloom Color: Pale pink to mauve
Growing Conditions: Moist soil, sun to part shade
Pollinator Power: A butterfly magnet, especially for swallowtails
Why We Love It: Towering height adds drama to rain gardens and borders

Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)

Bloom Features: Flowering spikes in late July, silvery-purple hues
Growing Conditions: Dry to average soil, full sun
Pollinator Power: Host plant for skipper butterflies and habitat for native bees
Why We Love It: Adds movement, fall color, and winter structure

Rudbeckia fulgida (Black Eyed Susan)

Bloom Color: Golden-yellow with dark centers
Growing Conditions: Sun to part shade, adaptable soil
Pollinator Power: Supports bees, beetles, and small butterflies
Why We Love It: Long bloom season and reliably cheerful

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Narrowleaf Mountain Mint)

Bloom Color: White clusters
Growing Conditions: Full sun, dry to moist soil
Pollinator Power: One of the most beneficial nectar plants—pollinators swarm it
Why We Love It: Aromatic foliage, non-aggressive compared to other mints

Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)

Bloom Color: Bright purple spikes
Growing Conditions: Full sun, moist to well-drained soil
Pollinator Power: Bumblebees, butterflies, and goldfinches
Why We Love It: Bold vertical accent and great cut flower

✨Design Tip

Pair July bloomers with grasses like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and long-season shrubs like Clethra alnifolia or Itea virginica for texture and extended color.

July Blooms: Native Plants That Shine This Month in New Jersey