Essential Tips for Gardening in July

July marks the height of summer in the UK garden, with long days, vibrant growth, and rising temperatures. While planting slows down this month, it’s an essential time to care for your trees, hedging, and flowering displays so they thrive through the warmer weeks.

This month is all about smart watering, pruning, container care, and supporting wildlife. By managing growth wisely, you’ll help your outdoor space stay strong, colourful, and structured well into late summer.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top July gardening tasks, from trimming hedges and training climbers to keeping container plants hydrated and maintaining compost through the heat.

---

Planting for July

While new planting takes a back seat during the hottest weeks, July is the perfect time to shape your garden’s structure with climbing plants, vibrant perennials, and well-managed containers. The intense summer heat can put stress on newly planted trees and shrubs, making it harder for their roots to establish and increasing the risk of wilting or transplant shock. That’s why most gardeners hold off on major planting until autumn, when cooler, wetter conditions support healthy root development.

Instead, focus on thoughtful additions that bring texture, colour, and height when your garden needs it most, all while keeping existing plants thriving.

Support Climbing Plants

July is the ideal time to support and shape your summer climbers; these fast growers bring height, movement, and fragrance to the garden, and many are at their most vigorous right now.

For striking colour, Clematis (Clematis patens 'Rouge Cardinal') delivers bold, velvety red flowers from midsummer into autumn. Perfect for trellises or scrambling through shrubs. If you prefer fragrance, Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) adds glossy evergreen leaves and scented white flowers, ideal for sunny walls or archways.

Looking for elegance and length? Try Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda 'Macrobotrys'), which produces breathtaking cascades of pale lilac flowers on long racemes. And for something more unusual, Passion Flower White (Passiflora 'Snow Queen') offers exotic white blooms and can cover a fence or pergola with ease.

Support new stems with soft ties and guide them early to avoid tangling. These climbers thrive in well-drained soil and full sun or light shade, and they’ll reward you with shade, scent, and show-stopping blooms all summer long.

Refresh Containers for Summer

Pots and containers need extra care during the July heat; they dry out quickly and can suffer without consistent watering. Grouping containers can help conserve moisture, and adding mulch to the surface helps regulate soil temperature.

Top up nutrients with a fortnightly liquid feed to keep growth healthy and flowers blooming. If you're looking to refresh your summer display, compact shrubs and dwarf trees offer structure and colour without taking up too much space.

Try Kohuhu (Pittosporum variegatum), a compact evergreen shrub with softly variegated foliage and a tidy upright form – perfect for adding elegant year-round structure and subtle colour contrast to summer pots. For edible interest, Apricot (Prunus armeniaca 'Compacta®') brings beauty and fruit to sunny containers. Or add year-round colour with Photinia ‘Pink Marble’, a compact evergreen shrub with eye-catching pink, cream, and green variegated foliage and vibrant red new growth.

These selections thrive in pots with the right care. Just be sure to choose a large container with good drainage, use a soil-based peat-free compost, and water regularly during dry spells.

Fill Gaps with Summer Colour

Want to add long-lasting colour without a full replant? July is a great time to introduce flowering shrubs and compact ornamental trees that offer bold summer impact, structure, and pollinator value.

Try Lilac (Syringa vulgaris 'Sensation'), a purple-flowering lilac with striking bicoloured blooms that appear in summer and attract bees to the border. Or brighten up your display with Lilac (Syringa vulgaris 'Primrose'), an unusual yellow lilac that provides soft, creamy colour and fragrance.

Looking for vibrant blossoms with a wildlife boost? Pink Flowering Hawthorn (Crataegus x med 'Punicea Flore Pleno') offers brilliant double pink blooms earlier in the season, and its long-lasting appeal carries through summer with lush green foliage and dense form.

Deadhead spent blooms to keep your display looking tidy and encourage further flowering. Water deeply in dry conditions to help roots establish, especially when planting into gaps or containers during hot weather.

---

Cultivating a Wildlife-Friendly Garden

Even in the height of summer, your garden can play a vital role in supporting local wildlife. With bees in full activity, birds seeking water, and insects looking for shelter, a few simple choices can make your outdoor space more biodiverse and resilient.

Choose Pollinator-Friendly Plants

In July, pollinators are busy and in need of reliable nectar sources. To support them, focus on plants that bloom throughout the summer and provide ongoing value.

Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) offers scented white blooms rich in nectar, perfect for sunny walls and fences. Jasmine (Jasminum officinale 'Fiona Sunrise') adds golden foliage and fragrant flowers that attract bees and butterflies well into summer.

For something striking, try Golden Hop (Humulus lupulus 'Aureus'), with its bold golden-green foliage that adds colour and movement through summer. It's fast-growing, great for wildlife, and ideal for covering unsightly fences or pergolas with seasonal flair.

Even earlier bloomers like Pink Flowering Hawthorn Tree (Crataegus x med 'Punicea Flore Pleno') or Kilmarnock Willow (Salix caprea ‘Pendula’) still benefit wildlife now, offering shelter and fruit for birds later in the season.

With just a few summer-flowering climbers and shrubs, your garden can stay pollinator-friendly all season long. See the RHS video of Plants for Pollinators for more ideas.

Provide Water and Shelter

In the July heat, water is just as important as nectar. A shallow dish of fresh water placed in the shade can give bees and birds a much-needed place to drink. Adding a small water feature or topping up a pond also helps amphibians and insects.

For natural shelter, climbers like Clematis (Clematis spooneri) provide dense foliage and summer coverage, allowing birds to perch and insects to rest. Even a compact tree such as Amelanchier lamarckii provides excellent structure for nesting, blossom for pollinators, and berries for birds later in the season.

You can also leave a small area of your garden wild, a patch of long grass, a log pile, or some untidy corners offer valuable habitat for hedgehogs, beetles, and other beneficial wildlife.

For more detailed guidance on providing water safely and effectively for garden wildlife, see this helpful guide from The Wildlife Trust.

---

Early Summer Planting

If you didn’t manage to plant earlier in the season, early summer is still a good time to establish container-grown ornamental trees. The soil is warm, and with consistent watering, new trees can settle in and start forming strong root systems before the height of summer heat.

Here are six great choices for adding colour, structure, and seasonal interest to your garden right now:

Flowering Cherry

A graceful and compact flowering cherry, Prunus 'Crystal Falls'® brings a cascade of soft pink blossom in spring followed by lush green foliage that turns to vibrant orange and red tones in autumn. Its elegant, weeping shape makes it ideal as a statement tree for smaller gardens or feature borders. Easy to grow and low-maintenance, it flourishes in sunny positions and well-drained soil.

Crab Apple

Malus toringo 'Aros' is a compact crab apple with dark purple foliage, spring blossom, and red fruits that persist into autumn. Its upright form is perfect for pots or smaller spaces while still delivering bold seasonal impact.

Elder

Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty' is a striking deciduous shrub that features deeply cut, dark purple foliage and fragrant pink flowers in early summer. A pollinator-friendly favourite, it adds drama to borders and thrives in both full sun and partial shade.

Lilac

Syringa vulgaris 'Sensation', a striking lilac, features bicoloured purple blooms edged in white, a true showstopper. Blooming from late spring into early summer, it’s highly fragrant, great for cutting, and attracts bees and butterflies to your garden.

Pearl Bush

Exochorda serratifolia 'Snow White' is an ornamental shrub that dazzles with masses of bright white blooms in late spring to early summer, just in time to support pollinators. With its arching branches and compact habit, it’s ideal for smaller gardens or borders needing a light, airy structure. A superb seasonal performer that transitions beautifully into summer.

Willow

While Salix integra 'Hakuro-nishiki' isn’t known for July blooms, it’s an excellent choice to establish in early summer. This eye-catching deciduous shrub features soft pink shoots that mature into a stunning mix of cream, green, and pale pink variegated leaves. Its neat form and gently rounded head provide structure throughout the season, while the foliage adds a light, airy texture to borders or pots. Perfect for brightening partially shaded spots and easily maintained with a light prune.

Planting for Lasting Impact

Early summer planting gives trees a chance to settle in while the soil is still warm and workable. Focus on container-grown options, and be prepared to water regularly, especially during dry spells.

Adding a mix of flowering and foliage-focused trees now helps build garden structure, biodiversity, and seasonal interest heading into late summer and autumn.

---

Garden Maintenance in July

With summer in full swing, July is all about light, consistent maintenance to keep your garden healthy and balanced. As growth slows and temperatures rise, a little attention goes a long way in helping trees, hedging, and established plantings thrive through dry spells.

Keep Weeds Under Control

Warm weather encourages rapid weed growth. Use a hand hoe or hand weeding fork to reduce competition for water and nutrients, especially around younger trees and recently planted areas. Focus on the base of hedges and borders, where weeds can quickly take over and affect plant health.

Watch for Signs of Heat Stress

High temperatures and strong sun can cause plants to show signs of stress, even if they’re well established. Look out for drooping or discoloured foliage, dry or cracked soil, and leaf scorch. Water deeply at the base rather than little and often, and consider topping up mulch to help retain moisture. For best practice, see the RHS guide to watering.

Check Supports and Ties

Now is a good time to inspect tree stakes and supports. Wind and rapid summer growth can loosen ties or cause rubbing against stems. Adjust or replace any worn or tight ties using soft, flexible materials to prevent damage.

Light Pruning and Tidying

While heavy pruning is best left for later in the year, you can lightly trim ornamental trees and shrubs to maintain shape and remove any damaged or dead growth. Avoid major cuts in hot weather, as plants may struggle to recover. Tidy up borders by removing spent stems and clearing away leggy growth.

---

Your July Gardening Round-Up

July marks the peak of summer in the UK garden. It’s a month of warmth, vibrant colour and full growth. While planting slows down, there’s still plenty to do to keep your trees, shrubs and displays looking their best.

This is the time to fine-tune your garden: support climbing plants, keep containers thriving, fill gaps with summer interest and make space for pollinators and wildlife. It’s also a key month for monitoring water needs, managing growth and staying on top of light maintenance.

By focusing on small, consistent tasks like feeding, weeding, shaping and wildlife care, you’ll help your garden stay healthy and resilient through the height of summer. This will set the stage for late-season beauty filled with structure, colour and life.

---

FAQs

Can I still plant trees or shrubs in July?

Whilst you can't plant bare root trees in July, you can still plant container-grown trees and shrubs successfully with a little extra care and attention. Choose smaller specimens that will establish quickly, plant during the cooler parts of the day, and water deeply and consistently. Adding mulch around the base helps retain moisture and protects roots from drying out. Be sure to select drought-tolerant or well-adapted varieties, and avoid planting during prolonged periods of extreme heat.

How do I keep potted plants healthy during hot weather?

Keeping your garden healthy in hot weather is all about smart watering, thoughtful positioning, and choosing the right plants. Water deeply in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation, and aim directly at the base of the plant to encourage deep root growth.

Add a layer of organic mulch to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature — but avoid piling mulch against the stem or trunk, as this can cause rot and restrict airflow to the roots. Instead, leave a small gap around the base so oxygen can reach the soil surface and promote strong root development.

Group pots together to create microclimates and reduce overall heat stress, and choose drought-tolerant trees, shrubs, and perennials that offer lasting colour and structure. Regular deadheading, weeding, and feeding will also help plants thrive through the hottest months.

What climbers are best for summer colour and scent?

For vibrant summer colour and visual contrast, opt for climbers that bloom or provide striking foliage through the warmer months. Clematis (Clematis patens 'Rouge Cardinal') stands out with its deep red flowers and long flowering season. Passion Flower White (Passiflora 'Snow Queen') offers exotic white blooms and dramatic foliage, perfect for fences or pergolas. If you’re after fragrance and evergreen cover, Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is a top choice with scented white flowers and glossy leaves. These climbers bring height, movement, and character to borders, walls, and vertical structures during the height of summer.

Which trees or shrubs can I plant in containers during July?

In July, compact ornamental trees and shrubs are excellent choices for container planting, especially if you want to refresh patios or small spaces. Look for species with tidy growth habits and good summer performance. Top picks include Crab Apple (Malus toringo 'Aros') (a compact crab apple with purple foliage), Elder (Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty') (a striking elder with dark leaves and pink flowers), and Dwarf Photinia (Photinia 'Little Red Robin'), an evergreen with red-tinted new growth. Always use a large container with good drainage, soil-based peat-free compost, and keep the container well-watered during hot spells.

How can I support wildlife in my garden during July?

July is a critical month for garden wildlife, with birds, bees, and insects all active and in need of food, water, and shelter. Plant pollinator-friendly climbers like Jasmine (Jasminum officinale 'Fiona Sunrise') or Clematis spooneri to provide nectar-rich blooms. A shallow dish of water or a regularly topped-up pond offers vital hydration during dry spells.

Create natural shelter with dense climbers or small trees like Cornus kousa 'China Girl', a flowering dogwood that produces masses of white bracts in early summer and forms a branching structure perfect for sheltering birds and supporting pollinators. You can also leave a patch of long grass or a log pile to support beetles, hedgehogs, and other beneficial creatures.

Even small actions can make a big difference for biodiversity.