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In My Garden Blog

February 20, 2003
New England
By Suzanne DeJohn,
Candler, NC

The vibrant colors and large stature of garden phlox create a dazzling display.

Fabulous Phlox

Stately, summer-blooming garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) never fails to inspire awe with its abundant blooms. Sometimes called tall summer phlox or border phlox, this plant blooms for a few weeks in late summer in shades of magenta, fuchsia, pink, lavender, pale blue, and white. What garden phlox lacks in flower endurance – it blooms for just a few weeks -- it makes up for in sheer exuberance. In fact, if phlox has one aesthetic drawback, it's that for those few weeks it is in bloom, it will overshadow anything else in the garden.

Phlox blooms are not only beautiful to us, they are also magnets for pollinators. Their delicate scent lures a variety of butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Varieties with light-colored flowers also lure moths. Like most phlox species, garden phlox is native to the U.S. It was brought to England in the early 1700s, where plant breeders transformed it from a muddy purple wildflower to a showy garden staple. Reintroduced to the U.S., it is now the backbone of many perennial gardens.

Varieties
Varieties of phlox with bicolor flowers are gaining in popularity. Individual flowers may have a different colored "eye," or center, or the colors may form a starburst pattern. Aesthetics aside, the big problem with garden phlox has been its susceptibility to powdery mildew. Fortunately, plant breeders have introduced varieties that are quite resistant to this disfiguring disease. Here is a selection of them:

'Franz Schubert' -- Flowers lilac with white eye; height 30"
'Katherine' -- Flowers bluish lilac with white central star; height 24-30"
'Laura' -- Flowers purple with white eye; height 48"
'Eva Cullum' -- Flowers clear pink with deep maroon eye; height 24-36"
'Shortwood' -- Flowers pink with dark eye; height 48"
'Bright Eyes' -- Flowers soft pink with red eye; height 24"
'Robert Poore' -- Flowers deep violet-pink; height 48"
'David' -- White flowers; height 36-48". Was named the 2002 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association.

Dwarf Phlox
For smaller gardens, consider trying one of the dwarf cultivars.
'Flame' Series:
'Purple Flame' – Flowers purple with darker purple eye; height 12-16"
'Lilac Flame' – Flowers lilac-purple with white eyes; height 12-16"
'Pink Flame' -- Flowers deep pink with darker pink eye; height 12-16"
'Little Boy' – Flowers lilac blue with white eyes; height 12-15"
'Little Princess' – Flowers pink with white eye; height 18–24"

Phlox with Variegated Foliage
For added interest throughout the growing season, especially when plants aren't flowering, consider growing phlox varieties with variegated foliage.
'Harlequin' — Flowers magenta, foliage green with white margins; height 20-30"
'Crème de Menthe' – Flowers pale pink with pink eye; foliage creamy white with irregular dark green central stripes; height 36"
'Starfire' – Flowers deep red, foliage emerges maroon, gradually turning green by midsummer; height 36"
'Becky Towe' — Rose pink flowers, foliage green with golden edges; height 20-28"

Growing Phlox
Garden phlox prefers moist, organic-rich soil in full sun. Space plants generously to increase air circulation, which will help minimize disease problems. Water plants during dry spells and mulch to conserve water. Remove faded flowers to prolong the bloom period and to keep plants from self-sowing. If allowed to flourish, seedling phlox will often take over the bed, usually reverting to less attractive ccolors.

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