Practical
Plants

Phlox paniculata

Garden Phlox

a perennial member of the Phlox genus in the family Polemoniaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Phlox
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.2 m
Spread
0.6 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Environment

Range
N. America - New Jersey to N. Carolina, west to Ohio and south to Louisiana.
Habitat
Open woods, scrub, sides of streams and on hillsides, often on limestone[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sandy loam in a warm greenhouse. It germinates in the spring[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have grown enough. Otherwise overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out in the spring. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Basal cuttings in spring or mid-summer in a cold frame[2]. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Root cuttings, winter in a cold frame.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a rich moist soil with ample moisture in the summer[3]. Succeeds in heavy or light soils so long as they are moist[1]. Grows in full sun or semi-shade, succeeding in the light dappled shade of woodland edges[5]. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[3]. A very ornamental plant[6], it hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[5]. The type species is rarely cultivated[4] but a number of varieties have been selected for their ornamental value[3]. The flowers emit a deliciously sweet perfume, though some people find it unpleasant especially as the flowers start to fade[7]. A good butterfly plant[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

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  3. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  6. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  7. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  8. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩

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