Plant field guide
Phlox (Garden)
Tall perennial with fragrant dome-shaped flower clusters. A cottage garden essential. Attracts butterflies.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Phlox paniculata
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Height
- 24 in (61 cm) – 48 in (122 cm)
- Spread
- 18 in (46 cm) – 24 in (61 cm)
- Spacing
- Not recorded
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 3–8; average annual extreme minimum from -40°F (-40.0°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- moderate
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: March.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Prone to powdery mildew - choose resistant varieties (David, Jeana, Bright Eyes). Good air circulation essential.
Pruning
Cut back dead stems in early spring. Thin to 5-6 strongest stems per clump for air circulation.
Fertilizer
Balanced (10-10-10)
Early spring and after first bloom
Mulch
2 inches of organic mulch.