Growing Phlox

Growing phlox or P. paniculata is one of those grand old perennial garden favorites. This plant is used extensively for cottage garden plans and is found in new and old gardens alike.

Growing Conditions

Full sun is best although it will grow nicely in part shade. If you have to grow in part shade, do try for the morning sun if possible and as much full sunlight as you can obtain.

Part shade conditions often lead to increased fungal problems and mildew problems with this plant.

It does grow best in an average, fertile garden soil. It will grow in sandier soils if kept watered but it does resent the winter wet created by very heavy clay soils.

Propagation

All of the garden phlox varieties propagate very easily from tender tip cuttings or division.

Divide in very early spring or early fall for best results.

Problems

Powdery mildew is the main problem with growing phlox and you can obtain full information about it right here

Flowering

This is what I call a backbone plant in the perennial flower garden because it blooms for such a long time. Generally, garden Phlox paniculata come into bloom in July and run through August before fading away.

After blooming, cut off the spent flowers taking a few of the upper leaves with them to prevent the blossom rotting on the plant and increasing botrytis incidence.

They only give one flush of blooms per year.

They make an excellent cut flower and have a slight perfume.

Varieties

I wouldn’t go so far as to say there are hundreds of varieties of garden phlox but it likely wouldn’t be too far off.

‘Nora Leigh’ (pictured) was one of the first of the variegated garden phlox but it isn’t a strong bloomer. ‘Harlequin’ has magenta flowers and is a much better flowering plant.

The ‘Miss” series (‘Miss Elie’, ‘Miss Kelly’, ‘Miss Pepper’) are mildew-resistant and excellent flowering plants. It is this mildew-resistance that you want to look for on the plant tag before you purchase the plants.

‘David’ is a former ‘Perennial Plant of the Year’ and a strong bloomer in white as well as being mildew-resistant.

What does Mildew Resistant Mean?

Generally, it means the plant will still get mildew but it will get it later (it will resist infection) than other varieties. The leaf might be a little thicker and the mildew spore can’t get established or some other advantage the plant has to thwart infection.

But it does not mean it will never get the problem. It resists the problem.

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