JUBLILANT JULY FLOWERS
Peak summer flowers are some of the most lurid, captivating sights to behold, and one of the highlights of the season for nature lovers. Some of our favourite flowers for July are known for their bright colours and vertical shape, so they add height and dimension to any small gardening plot. Hollyhocks, cardinalis (which you’ll most likely find growing near a river or pond), liatris, milkweed, echinacea, larkspur, daylilies, and Queen Anne’s lace are all known for their tremendous stature and florid blooms. Not only are they beautiful and can be found in abundance wherever they grow, but many of these are also used in herbal remedies and serve as a boon to the ecosystem.
“The butterfly is a flying flower, the flower a tethered butterfly.” – Écouchard Lebrun
For example, milkweed is the ultimate sanctuary for butterflies. Within one plant, you can easily observe an entire sanctum of activity where the metamorphosis takes place. The stems of milkweed produce more than just leaves that are home to red beetles and monarch caterpillars; there are also seed pods where larvae are laid, bug nymphs hatch, and sap is a plentiful nectar. Monarch butterfly caterpillars only eat milkweed leaves, while the beetles feast on their roots, and crab spiders play the role of chameleon as they assume the colour of their surroundings. The most beautiful sight of all is the large orb-like flower composed of many tiny pink blossoms, where you’ll most likely see bumblebees carrying pollen to and from (they are the only bees large enough to transport it). These flowers also smell incredibly sweet! Don’t pick these, though; they don’t last when cut and are meant to remain in the great outdoors.
The official birth flowers for the month of July are larkspur (delphinium) and water lilies. While water lilies are much like milkweed and only thrive in their natural habitat (or a simulation), larkspur is a stand-out for bouquets. A pop of blue elevates any floral arrangement to artistic status. Due to their long stalks covered in flowers, they are perfect for adding height to a bouquet. On their own, they make for a tall, narrow spray and are also ideal for pairing with other similar flowers that flourish in July, such as crimson cardinalis, purple liatris (blazing star), lilies, and coneflowers (echinacea). Echinacea is most well-known in herbalist circles as an immune stimulant. This is why people use the botanical in tinctures to treat sore throats, colds, and flu. It is also a powerful wound healer and has antiviral and antibacterial properties, so when applied directly to bug bites and stings, it can be very beneficial.
Larkspur refers to any of about three hundred species of plants in the delphinium family. In the Victorian language of flowers, it is said to aid in “transcending the bounds of space and time” and the word “delphinium” comes from the Greek for dolphin. In an abstract way, of course, these blossoms remind us of dolphins and, because of their magnificent colour, of the deep cerulean sea (although they bloom in a wide variety of colors, blue is the most common). Daylilies are aptly named because their petals unfurl during the day and close at dusk. While they bloom in a variety of hues, the orange variety is most well-known and beloved as it resembles a sunset. They are favourites for the garden because they can be planted in full sun, come back every year, are low-maintenance, and add a welcome addition of bright color.
Queen Anne’s lace is a gorgeous addition to any summer wildflower bouquet, as the gauzy white effect symbolizes Queen Anne of England’s enormous lace collar. Queen Anne’s lace (or wild carrot) is a sturdy flower that is actually invasive; this is why it’s always seen growing in patches on the side of the road and, no matter how much you cut it, always grows back and in great abundance. It can take over entire fields!
For more information on July and its abundance of flora, check out the links below, and Chelsea Flowers for all your floral needs.
https://www.almanac.com/plant/milkweed