All About Phlox

Phlox is a large group of plants that includes native plants, annual plants and perennials, as well as both upright and creeping forms. The upright form has many different named varieties with flowers that vary from blues to reds and white; it is usually called Garden Phlox. The low-growing, mounding form is called Creeping Phlox.

When someone mentions phlox to me, I automatically picture the large blooms on the upright Garden Phlox, which work so well in romantic cottage gardens and lush perennial borders. With mid to late-summer flowers that stand out, and often above, other late summer annuals and perennials, Garden Phlox can be a well-placed design tool in the landscape.

Phlox was indeed grown by our grandparents and is frequently celebrated as an easy to grow perennial. Appreciated because of its large bloom and rich summer color, Garden phlox has been a favorite in many heirloom gardens for decades, yet still manages to look at home in 21st century gardens too.

Phlox is a Native Plant that Attracts Native Pollinators

The original Garden phloxes are those that have a native range from New York across to the Midwest and all way to the Gulf Coast. They are therefore acclimated to grow throughout the season with a tough hardiness, a multitude of blooms, and a dependable nature that allows the plants to thrive and flower for many years. All varieties of phlox attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators to the garden.

The creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is a perennial that is native to the eastern seaboard and is not usually grown from seed. Colors vary but are similar in range to the garden phlox – blues, pinks, whites and reds. Some attractive candy stripe varieties are available as well as solid colors. Once established, this delightful edging plant thrives with very little care from the gardener. They rarely get problems with mildew but can be killed by soggy soil, particularly in late winter. A deer and rabbit resistant plant, this perennial groundcover also tolerates drought once established.

Phlox Characteristics to Look for:

Mildew resistant: With so many varieties on the market, there are plenty of choices. Finding one that is mildew resistant should be high on your list of characteristics, particularly if you are in an area of hot humid summers. Some great mildew resistant varieties include David which is a white blooming standard for any garden. Other phlox that are mildew resistant include Blue Flame, Blue Paradise and Goliath.

Container Growing: Smaller garden spaces and container growers do better with some of the shorter varieties that only get to about 2 feet in height. Coral Flame does well in containers as well as at the front of a perennial garden. Other shorter phlox varieties include Blue Flame, Forever Pink and Pixie Miracle Grace, all of which are also mildew-resistant.