Colorful and fragrant pinwheels, the Garden Phlox is an old-fashioned variety that has stood the test of time because of its resilience and beauty!
Phlox is a genus of 68 species of perennial and annual plants in the family Polemoniaceae.
The Phlox plant was originally found native to North American woodlands, meadows, and prairies. The name Phlox comes from a Greek word meaning flame, reflecting the brilliant colors these blooms can exhibit!
Indigenous American tribes recognized the medicinal properties of Garden Phlox and utilized different parts of the plant for various herbal remedies.
The aromatic, showy flowers of the Phlox plant have quickly grown in popularity around the world and they display their bright colors in summer and autumn. Some blooms have contrasting colored eyes or bi-color flowers! And there are new and exciting varieties being developed every year!
Phenomenal Phlox
Phlox comes in two main forms and sizes! The Phlox paniculata type of Tall Garden Phlox are erect perennials and Phlox subulata are Creeping Phlox, which grow like a groundcover! Both have the same scented blooms, aromatic leaves, and pollinator-friendly flowers! Even Hummingbirds can’t resist their allure!
There has been a lot of breeding going on with the Old-Fashioned Tall Garden Phlox, so there is a multitude of new selections to hit the market! Many of the newer varieties have incredible colors (and bicolor) flowers, many different sizes, mildew resistance on the foliage and the ability to rebloom is incredible.
Creeping Phlox goes by Moss Phlox, Groundcover Phlox, Moss Pinks, Spreading Phlox, and Mountain Phox! Both kinds of Phlox can be deer-resistant and come in a wide array of vivid colors for you to choose from!
- First Editions® Phlox like Cotton Candy™ and Bubblegum Pink™
- Younique™ Old Blue Tall Garden Phlox
- Violet Pinwheels Creeping Phlox
- Fort Hills Creeping Phlox
- Variegated Shockwave Phlox
- Vibrant Coral FLAME™ Phlox
Caring For Your Phlox
Easy to plant and care for, Phlox requires little attention in the garden and is low-maintenance. Phlox are herbaceous perennials and can die back to the ground in the cold winter, but in mild climates, Creeping Phlox can remain semi-evergreen to evergreen!
Phlox Sunlight Needs
Phlox are quite hardy and perform well in moist soil in either full or partial sun. Both groundcover Phlox and upright Phlox prefer some afternoon shade in hotter climates. Growing throughout USDA hardiness zones 2 to 9, these are very versatile and resilient perennial plants!
Phlox Soil, Moisture & Fertility
Plant Phlox in well-drained enriched soil and top off with compost and a 3-4 inch thick layer of arborist mulch over the soil surface each year. Be sure to water regularly and do not let your plants dry out for too long, especially in the hot dry summers. Fertilize each spring with a flowering plant fertilizer to ensure your plant has plenty of energy to bloom.
Dividing Phlox Plants
Dividing or thinning out clumps helps improve the air circulation around the plants, prevents powdery mildew, and also allows for the easy expansion of your garden plant collection (or as thoughtful gifts for friends and family)!
Deadheading & Pruning Phlox
Once your first round of flowers finishes and withers, deadhead both types of Phlox - cut the stems just below the flower heads, and in a short time, you will have a whole new round of flowers!
Creeping Phlox should be sheared or pruned back immediately after flowering in the spring, and again in the summer if they rebloom. In the fall, snip the flower stems of Tall Phlox after the blooms fade since this prevents the flowers from dropping seeds. Creeping Phlox is best deadheaded after spring bloom (for possible rebloom of some) but mostly to reshape and maintain the plants as needed.
Using Phlox in the Garden
All Phlox is perfect for feeding pollinators, adding to Cut flower gardens and bouquets, perfuming containers and planters, and adding color and long-lasting blooms to your garden beds and borders! They are seldom bothered by deer, making them ideal in areas with high deer pressure!
But there are two main types of Phlox!
- Nectar-rich pollinator-friendly blooms
- Scented cut flowers for bouquets and Cut Flower gardens
- One to two blooms a year with deadheading
- Showy height and color for the garden bed and border
- Cottage gardens, Perennial borders, & large planters
- Low-growing mats that crowd out weeds
- Early-emerging pollinator-friendly blooms
- Aromatic foliage can be semi-evergreen
- Some may Rebloom with deadheading
- En Masse, Edging, Erosion, Slopes, Groundcover, and Facer Plants
- Great in Rock Gardens, Hell Strips, Line Pathways and Driveways
Oh-So Pretty Phlox!
Tall or Creeping, Phlox is a must-have for the garden bed and border! You and your pollinators will benefit from any of these hardy and resilient blooming perennials year after year!
Check out all the amazing Phlox plants available at Nature Hills today!
Happy Planting!
