Just When the Garden Needs a Punch of Color, Summer Phlox Delivers
In the hot, humid days of the Philadelphia summer, there are dry, brown plants with bleached out colors. My July and August garden was boring. But, then I planted Summer Phlox (Phlox paniculata).
Summer Phlox is naturally a deep pink, but there are white varieties, too. In May, I trim it back to half it’s height. When it flowers, the plant it isn’t so tall it flops over.
Insects visit the plant for its nectar. I have found tiny bees and flies roaming around the flower petals.
Summer Phlox is a tough plant, blooming in dry, sun-drenched spots. I am so glad I planted it in my garden.
Phlox Paniculata
Zones: 3 to 9
Soil: moist
Sun: full sun to partial sun
Height: 36 to 60 inches tall
Growing: apparently grows easily from seed and will probably reproduce the species instead of the various colors of cultivated varieties
Natural range: southern New York to northern Georgia, west to Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas
I am new to phlox. I didn’t know until recently it was a native. I am THRILLED with how 3 phlox I bought this summer have performed through the drought here in IN. I am going to buy a lot more next spring and enjoy them the whole season!
Hi, Heidi
I agree. Phlox did so well here in Philly this summer even with long stretches of little rain, that I wanted to let others know.
Natives plants truly are adapted to the local climate.