Luminary™ Backlight Tall Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata 'Backlight'

$38⁶⁴

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Plant Size

#1 Container

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Disease resistant, Flowering, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts pollinators, and Container Friendly

Specifications

Botanical Name

Phlox paniculata 'Backlight'
Height

2-3 ft
Width

1-2 ft
Growing Zones

3-8
Sunlight
- Full sun
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- White
Leaf Color
- Green
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Bloom Period

Early Summer, Late Summer
Fragrant

Yes
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant in full sun for at least six hours daily to ensure the strongest stems and best flower density. While it handles light afternoon shade in hotter climates, too much shade weakens the stems and makes the plant more susceptible to powdery mildew.
Soil: This Phlox thrives in rich, organic soil that drains well but stays consistently moist. If you have heavy clay, mix in some compost to improve drainage, or use a raised mound to keep the roots from sitting in soggy "wet feet" during the winter.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water deeply twice a week to help the root system dive deep into the soil. Once established, this variety is quite resilient, but it needs supplemental water during dry spells to prevent the lower leaves from crisping or dropping. Always water at the base of the plant rather than over the foliage to keep the leaves dry and prevent fungal issues.

Pruning Tips

Backlight Phlox blooms on new wood, so you should prune it back to the ground in late autumn or early spring before new growth appears. Think of this like a fresh start that removes any lingering spores from the previous year and encourages vigorous new stems. You can also "deadhead" or remove spent flower clusters in midsummer to encourage a potential second flush of blooms later in the season.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring just as the new green shoots begin to emerge from the soil. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this promotes soft, tender growth that is easily damaged by the first frost. A single application of a general purpose garden food usually provides all the fuel needed for those brilliant white flower spikes.

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Growing Zones 3-8

Find Your Growing Zone!

Luminary™ Backlight Tall Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Backlight') is a radiant white cluster of flowers that shines in the garden like a beacon! Backed by dark-green foliage that seems to make them stand out more, an added bonus is these blooms are held aloft at a height of 2-3 feet tall! Talk about long-stemmed beauties!

Subtly fragrant and captivating flouncy blossoms are obvious additions to floral bouquets! Plant extra so you'll have enough to bring armloads indoors, yet leave a few on the plant for your garden enhancement, and for your butterflies and bees!

Pollinators galore will be flocking to your garden! Help out our beneficial pollinators by planting a few of these among your pollinator and cutting gardens, so all can enjoy more flowers! Tall Garden Phlox blooms all summer and you'll enjoy a rebloom later on if you deadhead the spent flowers immediately.

Planting and Application:

Luminary™ is a logical cottage border and cutting garden plant! Add these big blooms to mid and back border parts of perennial and pollinator gardens where they'll bloom for you all summer! The dark foliage and brilliant white blossoms are fantastic as informal and formal garden plants.

Garden Phlox can be a tall vertical element in larger mixed planters and containers, giving small-space gardeners and balcony gardens the ability to enjoy these flowers! They may need staking if in shade or pots, but don't let that stop you. Plant en masse or let naturalize throughout the backyard dappled shade without too much worry the deer will mow them down.

Tall Dark Green Foliage
Pure Brilliant White Flower Clusters
Fragrant & Reblooming
Containers, Naturalizing, Bouquets & Pollinators
Mildew Resistant Foliage

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Phlox are hardy down to growing zone 3 and thrive up to zone 8 heat. Doing great in full sun in cool zones but appreciating partial shade and afternoon protection in hotter climates. These herbaceous perennials appreciate good Air Circulation and well-drained soil. Be sure to give them supplemental water during their first year and apply water in a prolonged drought. Apply a three-inch layer of mulch around your plant, but make sure to pull it back from the stems.

Prune Tall Phlox right after the blossoms fade and tidy up the mounds in late autumn after frost. While no plant is truly deer resistant, they do not prefer the taste of these plants. But, if you live in Deer Country, be sure to use Deer Repellent during planting, guided by the instructions on the label.

Full Sun & Part Shade
Moist Well-Drained Soil
Mulched Beds
Prune to Ground In Late Fall
Fairly Deer Resistant

Luminary™ Backlight Tall Garden Phlox will light up your garden beds and borders with its luminescent white blooms and the swarms of pollinators they'll attract! Order yours today at Naturehills.com!

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

Luminary™ Backlight Tall Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata 'Backlight'

Plant Sentry™

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Specifications