As summer reaches its peak in Tulsa, the Tulsa Botanic Garden highlights seasonal plantings that reflect the height of the growing season across its grounds. July showcases heat-tolerant plants and curated garden displays that are designed to perform well in Oklahoma’s summer climate while providing visual interest throughout multiple garden areas.
At the entrance of the Garden, the Color Walk features rotating seasonal plantings. This area is updated throughout the year to reflect changing seasons and currently includes summer annuals and foliage selected for color and performance during warmer months. The plantings in this section are designed to provide a seasonal introduction to the Garden experience and change as the year progresses.
In the Children’s Discovery Garden, visitors can view a variety of summer-blooming plants. Hibiscus is among the featured blooms during this time of year, offering large flowers that thrive in heat. Liatris, also known as blazing star, is another plant highlighted in this area, providing vertical structure and seasonal color that continues through mid to late summer. These plantings are part of the seasonal design of the space and contribute to the overall summer display.
The Meadow section of the Garden features native and naturalized plantings that bloom throughout the summer season. During July, sunflowers and other native wildflowers begin to appear across the Meadow landscape. These plantings are part of the Garden’s broader focus on Oklahoma-adapted species and seasonal meadow design. The Meadow changes throughout the growing season as different plants reach peak bloom at different times.
In the Stream Valley area, buttonbush is one of the notable summer-blooming shrubs. Buttonbush produces spherical white flowers during the summer months, typically blooming through June and July. This plant is included in the Garden’s plant collection for its seasonal interest and ability to support pollinators.
Across the Garden, additional plantings such as salvias and other drought-tolerant or Oklahoma-adapted species continue to perform well during the heat of summer. These plants are used throughout various garden spaces to maintain seasonal color and structure during high temperatures and periods of lower rainfall. Their inclusion supports both the design and sustainability goals of the Garden’s plant collections.
Throughout July, the Tulsa Botanic Garden presents a range of seasonal displays that highlight plant performance during the summer months. Each garden area features plantings selected for this time of year, with emphasis on color, seasonal rotation, and adaptability to local climate conditions. Visitors can view how different plant collections change throughout the season as summer progresses.
The July season reflects the Garden’s ongoing focus on showcasing plants that thrive in Oklahoma conditions while offering a variety of textures, colors, and forms across its distinct garden spaces. From entrance plantings to meadow and streamside areas, each section contributes to the overall seasonal landscape.