July is a great time to visit the Alaska Botanical Garden

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Kathy Swick tends to a clump of Cutleaf Fleabane in the rock garden at the Alaska Botanical Garden Tuesday, July 10, 2018. Swick is a member of the Alaska Rock Garden Society, a group which maintains the rock garden area at the Alaska Botanical Garden. The rock garden contains alpine plants from around the world. “Once you fall in love with alpine plants, that’s it,” she said. “You’re sunk.” (Loren Holmes / ADN)

July at the Alaska Botanical Garden offers a plethora of colorful flowers, from Himalayan blue poppies to any of the 50 varieties of peony cultivated at the Anchorage garden.

Naturally blue flowers are uncommon, according to Alaska Botanical Garden education specialist Pat Ryan. Visitors to the garden in July will get a chance to see a number of blue poppies, although the garden's nursery is sold out of the popular plant.

The garden, off of Campbell Airstrip Road in East Anchorage, is also well known for its collection of peonies, now numbering over 50 varieties. Many of the varieties are blooming now, and more will open up throughout July and early August.

In the next few weeks, visitors can expect to see monkshood, delphiniums, mock orange and comfrey blooming. The herb garden will also be an attraction for those interested in edible gardening.

By late August the alpine plants that fill the rock garden will begin to turn colors, offering a late-summer splash of color.

The Alaska Botanical Garden is open year-round from dawn to dusk. Summer admission rates are $12 for adults, with discounts available for seniors, military, students and children.