What Is Phlox Paniculata?

Phlox paniculata includes garden phlox, perennial phlox, summer phlox and fall phlox. This perennial herb is native to eastern North America and grows from Ontario to eastern Texas. It has been widely hybridized and cultivated for garden use.

Identification

Garden phlox is the best-known and latest-blooming variety of phlox, according to Fine Gardening.com. The herb ranges from 2 to 4 feet in height. It has smooth upright stems and narrow oval-shaped leaves with pointed tips. Garden phlox produces clusters of showy and fragrant lavender, pink or white blossoms in June, July and August. Some cultivars also produce coral or red blossoms. The foliage of some is variegated.

Cultivation

Garden phlox prefers moist, well-drained, organic, loam soil and full sunlight or partial shade. It Is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8. It propagates through softwood stem cuttings---taken before the flower buds form in springtime---as well as by root cuttings, plant division or seed.

Considerations

Garden phlox requires at least six full hours of sunlight per day for optimum health. It is particularly prone to powdery mildew infections, but may also develop Septoria or Cercospora leaf spot or stem canker, among other diseases. Insect pests include stem nematodes, caterpillars and leaf miners.

References

• Floridata: Phlox Paniculata
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Phlox Paniculata (Fall Phlox)
• Fine Gardening: Phlox Paniculata

Resources

• The United States National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map