19 Things You Can Plant in June That'll Start Blooming in July

Why June Is One of the Best Months to Start Planting

If you think the planting season is already over by the time June rolls around, think again. June is actually one of the most rewarding months to get into the garden. The soil is warm, the frost threat has passed in most regions, and plants have everything they need to establish quickly and push out blooms in record time. Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a compact balcony with a few containers, June planting can reward you with vibrant color and lush greenery as early as July.

Even professional gardeners and landscape designers regularly start new plantings in June. The key is knowing which plants thrive under the longer days and warmer temperatures of early summer. Below, we've rounded up 19 of the best things you can plant in June that will reward your efforts with blooms — often within just four to six weeks.

Annual Flowers That Take Off Fast in June

Annual flowers are the workhorses of the summer garden. They live for a single growing season but pack an enormous amount of color and beauty into those months. Because they're not trying to establish a perennial root system, annuals put most of their energy directly into flowering — which means you'll see results faster than almost any other plant type.

1. Zinnias

Zinnias are perhaps the quintessential June planting. Direct sow the seeds into warm soil and you can expect vibrant, daisy-like blooms in as little as six to eight weeks. They come in every color imaginable and thrive in full sun with minimal water once established. They're also a magnet for butterflies and pollinators.

2. Marigolds

Marigolds are incredibly fast growers and famously easy to care for. Plant transplants or seeds in June and they'll begin blooming by mid-July at the latest. As a bonus, their strong scent helps deter pests from neighboring vegetable plants, making them a smart companion planting choice.

3. Cosmos

Cosmos seeds sown directly in June will produce feathery, airy blooms by July. They prefer lean soil and full sun, and once established they practically take care of themselves. Their tall, swaying stems add an elegant wildflower feel to any garden bed.

4. Sunflowers

Smaller sunflower varieties — especially dwarf types like 'Teddy Bear' or 'Music Box' — can go from seed to bloom in about 50 to 60 days. Plant in June and you'll have cheerful yellow heads nodding in the breeze by late July or early August.

5. Portulaca (Moss Rose)

If your garden has sandy, dry, or difficult soil, portulaca is your friend. These low-growing succulent-like annuals love heat, tolerate drought, and explode into jewel-toned blooms within weeks of planting. They're perfect for rock gardens, borders, and containers.

6. Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums grow so quickly they're often used in children's garden projects. Plant seeds directly in the ground in June and you'll have round, lily-pad leaves and warm-toned blooms by mid-July. They're also edible, adding a peppery kick to salads.

Perennials Worth Planting in June

While perennials generally take longer to fully establish than annuals, many will still produce their first flush of blooms in the same season if planted early enough in June. They'll come back even stronger the following year, making them a smart long-term investment.

7. Coneflowers (Echinacea)

Echinacea is a garden staple for good reason. It's drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators, and offers striking purple, pink, or white blooms. Transplants set out in June often begin flowering by July, especially in warm climates.

8. Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia)

These golden-yellow wildflowers with dark centers are heat lovers that bloom prolifically from midsummer onward. Plant nursery starts in early June and you'll have blooms within four to six weeks. They naturalize beautifully and spread year after year.

9. Salvia

Salvia varieties like 'May Night' or 'Hot Lips' are easy to establish in June and typically flower quickly in full sun. Their spiky blooms in red, purple, or blue add vertical interest and are especially popular with hummingbirds and bees.

10. Daylilies

Daylilies planted in June can still produce their first blooms that same season, particularly if you're planting established divisions or nursery stock. They're virtually indestructible, thrive in a range of soils, and multiply generously over time.

Vegetables and Herbs That Double as Garden Beauties

Not everything in a productive June garden has to be purely ornamental. Many vegetables and herbs produce attractive blooms alongside their harvest, making them excellent dual-purpose additions to your outdoor space.

11. Basil

Plant basil transplants in June after the soil has warmed thoroughly. While you'll primarily harvest the leaves for cooking, basil sends up delicate white or purple flower spikes by July that add charm to herb gardens and containers.

12. Cherry Tomatoes

Many fast-maturing cherry tomato varieties, such as 'Sun Gold' or 'Sweet 100,' can be transplanted in June and will produce small yellow flowers — and eventually fruit — by mid to late July. Their cheerful yellow blooms are a lovely bonus.

13. Cucumbers

Cucumbers are warm-weather enthusiasts that actually prefer being planted a little later in the season. Set out transplants in June and they'll vine up quickly, producing bright yellow star-shaped flowers within a few weeks.

Bulbs and Tubers to Get in the Ground Now

Several summer-blooming bulbs and tubers can still be planted in June for blooms later in the season.

14. Dahlias

Dahlias planted in early June have just enough time to establish and begin their incredible bloom show in late July or August. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and reward you with some of the most dramatic, dinner-plate-sized flowers of any garden plant.

15. Gladiolus

Gladiolus corms planted in June will produce their signature tall flower spikes in about 70 to 90 days. Stagger plantings every two weeks through June for a continuous display of blooms all summer long.

16. Begonia Tubers

Tuberous begonias thrive in partial shade and produce lush, rose-like flowers in shades of red, pink, yellow, and white. Plant tubers in June for blooms that should emerge by late July, brightening up shaded spots that few other plants can handle.

Climbing and Vining Plants

17. Morning Glory

Morning glories are fast-growing annual vines that can be direct seeded in June. With consistent watering and a trellis to climb, they'll reward you with trumpet-shaped blooms in purple, blue, pink, or white by early to mid-July.

18. Sweet Peas

In warmer climates, heat-tolerant sweet pea varieties can still be sown in early June for blooms by July. Their fragrant, ruffled flowers are a cottage garden classic and look beautiful climbing a fence or garden arch.

19. Moonflower

Moonflower is the evening companion to morning glory — its large, fragrant white blooms open at dusk and stay open through the night. Plant seeds in June after soaking them overnight and you'll have blooms gracing your patio evenings by late July.

Quick Tips for June Planting Success

• Water newly planted seeds and transplants consistently until they're well established — June heat can dry out soil quickly.
• Mulch around plants to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
• Choose varieties labeled "fast-maturing" or "early bloomer" for the best results when planting later in the season.
• Feed transplants with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks to encourage rapid growth and flowering.
• Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage plants to continue producing new flowers throughout the summer.

The Bottom Line

June is far from too late to start a beautiful, productive garden. With the right plant choices — from speedy annuals like zinnias and marigolds to summer bulbs like dahlias and gladiolus — you can have a garden bursting with color well before August arrives. The warm soil, long days, and abundant sunshine of early summer are actually ideal conditions for many of these plants to get established fast. So grab your gloves, head to your local nursery, and get planting. Your July garden will thank you for it.