Perennial
Garden phlox
Phlox paniculata
A clump-forming perennial with upright stems and fragrant summer flower heads. It likes fertile, moderately moist soil in sun or partial shade. Good air circulation helps reduce powdery mildew.
- Size
- 1–1.5 m high · 0.5–1 m wideVaries by cultivar
- Light
- Full sun / Partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Winter
- Very hardy
- Seasonal form
- Dies back
- Maintenance
- Moderate
Before planting
- Provide fertile, well-drained soil that retains moisture, in sun or partial shade. Avoid dry sites that overheat.
- Space plants to suit the cultivar and allow air to circulate between clumps. Tall garden forms are distinct from low, ground-covering phlox.
Why choose it
- Fragrant flower heads make a strong summer feature in borders.
- Cultivars offer different heights and colours, from white to pink and purple.
Care
- Water the soil in dry weather, keeping leaves as dry as possible; mulch helps retain moisture.
- Remove spent flower heads to encourage further flowering and reduce seedlings. Tall stems that lean may need support.
- Remove dry or diseased stems at the end of the season. Clumps can be divided in spring or autumn.
Good to know
- Susceptibility to powdery mildew varies by cultivar. Air circulation and suitable moisture reduce risk but cannot guarantee protection.
- Above-ground growth dies back in winter and returns the next season. Seedlings may not retain the parent cultivar's traits.