The July Edit: What’s Blooming in the Valley Now

Welcome to your wildflower era.

July is the peak of summer magic—when only the strongest and most stunning blooms survive the heat, and almost all of them dry beautifully. If it thrives now, it’s a forever flower in the making.

Here’s what’s blooming, flourishing, and dazzling us right now in the Hudson Valley:

Amaranthus

Photos: @thisisundisclosed, The Spruce, Castor-fleuriste for Tina Kunakey, @fridakim_london, @camflorinc, Eden Brothers

• Scientific name: Amaranthus

• Family: Amaranthaceae

• Genus: Amaranthus

• Kingdom: Plantae

• Order: Caryophyllales

Drippy, weird, and wonderful. These tentacled fluffs in shades of green, burgundy, and purple are the textural dream of every arrangement—and they dry like a charm.

Celosia

Photo: Pepper Harrow, Fluffy Flower Farm, RM Colina, Petal and Twig Floral

• Scientific name: Celosia Argentea

• Family: Amaranthaceae

• Genus: Celosia

• Kingdom: Plantae

• Order: Caryophyllales

Brains, feathers, flames—this bloom does it all in bold summer shades of magenta, orange, yellow, and lime.

Rudbeckia

Photo: Stewarts Garden Centre, Loden Floral, Swallowtail Garden Seeds, Harris Seeds, Pine Tree Garden Seeds

• Scientific name: Rudbeckia Hirta

• Family: Asteraceae

• Genus: Rudbeckia

• Kingdom: Plantae

• Order: Asterales

Not your grandma’s black-eyed Susans. These golden daisy-types add structure and strength, and varieties with russet tones hint at fall on the horizon.

Strawflower

Photo: Eden Brothers, GAP Gardens, Better Homes and Gardens, Mountain River Seed

• Scientific name: Xerochrysum Bracteatum

• Family: Asteraceae

• Genus: xerochysum

• Kingdom: Plantae

• Order: Asterales

These were made to dry! Even when theyt’re fresh, they’re crunchy! these papery beauties keep the integrity of their shape and vibrancy long after cutting.

Marigolds

Photos: Molly's Home Guide, Blue Jasmin Floral, Eden Brothers, @myghagwal, Outside Pride, 

• Scientific name: Tagetes

• Family: Asteraceae

• Genus: tagetes

• Kingdom: Planta

• Order: Asteraceae

The ultimate sunshine bloom. From garden staple to house garland, these sturdy icons hold up in heat and out of water.

Larkspur

Photos: Morinie Lunar, Harris Seeds, Floret Flower Farm, Grow Veg, Generic Amazon

• Scientific name: delphinium

• Family: Ranunculaceae

• Genus: Delphinium

• Kingdom: Plantae

• Order: Ranunculales

Tall, fluffy, and frilly. These textural spikes can reach 4 feet, and their dainty blooms dry beautifully.

Sunflower

• Scientific name: Helianthus Anuus

• Family: Asteraceae

• Genus: Helianthus

• Kingdom: Plantae

• Order: Asterales

From tiny to towering, frilly to classic—July sunflowers bloom in more varieties than you’d expect (hello, Van Gogh).

Lilies

Photos: Martha Stewart Blog, Amanda Vidmar Design, Alpine Floral Society, The Lily Garden, Altaxino

These aren’t your average roadside lilies. These stunners—Martagon, Asiatic, and Tiger lilies—stand up to 6 feet tall and last forever (or close to it) in a vase. They’re cultivated for their beauty and staying power. Daylilies, on the other hand, are best admired where they grow. They don't cut it—literally. Once picked, they wilt fast, which is why you won’t find them in floral arrangements.

• Scientific name: lilium

• Family: Liliaceae

• Genus: Lilium

• Kingdom: Plantae

• Order: Liliales

Flowering Herbs

• Scientific name: Varies

• Family: Varies

• Genus: Varies

• Kingdom: Varies

• Order: Varies

Dill, oregano, and mint blossoms offer scent, texture, and a bit of garden magic. Bonus: plant them and you get edible and floral joy.

Echinacea

• Scientific name: Echinacea

• Family: Asteraceae

• Genus: Echinacae

• Kingdom: Plantae

• Order: Asterales

Coneflowers bring birds, color, and medicine. The “hula dancer” variety adds lightness to any bouquet—and tincture.

Zinnias

• Scientific name: Zinnia

• Family: Asteraceae

• Genus: Zinnia

• Kingdom: Plantae

• Order: Asterales

These aren’t your old-school blooms. Hybrid varieties now come in ombré neons and dusky pastels made for hot weddings and wild gardens alike. (Just keep them out of the AC because they’ll brown—these babies are sun worshippers.)

Dahlias are coming….

they're starting to show up, but their moment is coming. Stay tuned for August when they truly take center stage.

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What’s still going strong from June?
Foxglove (second cut, a bit shorter now), Yarrow, Cosmos (hello neon-orange sulfur variety!), and a second flush of Snapdragons that are smaller but perfect for bouquets.

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Flora Good Times
Bringing you what’s blooming, wild, and weird in the Hudson Valley 🌻