Garden Phlox - Phlox Phlox drummondii,
Garden Phlox - Phlox Paniculata
A garden staple for many years, phlox Phlox drummondii, or "garden phlox" is a favorite among professional and novice gardeners alike for a good reason. This garden all-star has slender green stems that support sweet clusters of delicate petals. There are five petals to blossom and several blossoms in each cluster on Garden Phlox. Petals can be found in shades of white, red, pink, or blue, depending on the variety. It has vibrant colors the focus against the simple, green foliage. This pretty perennial pops its fragrant blooms in July, and with a bit of attention, blooms can continue until mid-September. Dulling petals should be removed, a process known as dead-heading, to encourage new growth.
Add spice to your garden with Phlox
Mature plants generally grow to around 18 inches wide and, depending on the variety, are usually between 2 and 5 feet tall. Phlox is hardy in zones 4-8 and has been known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, a welcome complement to any garden space. Although it can grow in partial shade, Phlox thrives best in full sun, ideally, in moist, well-drained soil. Like many sun-loving garden plants, Phlox can benefit from a light layer of mulch early in the season to help with weed control and also to help retain moisture in the soil. Garden phlox is deer resistant and an excellent choice for many different types of gardens; cut flower gardens, wildflower beds, butterfly gardens, walkways, and borders, to name a few. Because of their ideal height, Phlox is perfect for layering in the middle or back of a garden bed with smaller complementary plants in front. At the end of the blooming season, Phlox should be cut back just above ground level, lightly mulched the following spring again, and the plant will take care of the rest.
