Summer in the City: How London Gardens Come Into Their Own

As July settles in, London gardens reach their moment of fullness – a heady mix of scent, texture, and soft movement. It’s the season where even the smallest space can feel expansive, alive with pollinators and layered planting.

In my East London projects, I see summer as a test of a border’s balance. Has it held its shape? Does it still feel fresh, or has it slipped into chaos? The answer often lies in the structure beneath the bloom.

Structure First: Grasses Hold the Line
In the heat of summer, it’s the grasses that earn their keep. Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ stands tall and unflinching, even when borders start to lean. Miscanthus ‘Undine’ brings a looser sway – perfect for catching late sun and softening harder lines.

Perennials for Pulse and Rhythm
This is the moment for Geum ‘Golden Joy’, still flowering with energy, and Agapanthus ‘Loch Hope’, just hitting its stride with upright elegance. Oenothera lindheimeri, or white gaura, flutters through it all, tying planting together with lightness and movement.

Reading and Refreshing
If your garden’s starting to feel tired or overwhelmed, this is a good time to step back and read the border. Notice where gaps have opened, which plants are dominating, and where late-season interest might be missing. A small addition – a grass for height, or a perennial for colour – can restore rhythm.

🌱 Need help bringing your summer garden back into balance?
I offer planting consultations and seasonal refreshes across East London – helping urban gardens stay structured, soft, and in step with the season.