Description
Phlox FLOKS
Tall garden phlox (P. paniculata) is a low maintenance plant that adds a burst of color and interest to the summer garden. The flowers bear a mild fragrance and come in a wide range of colors appearing in panicles at the tops of 3 to 4 foot stems. These perennials also attract hummingbirds and butterflies. As an additional bonus, their sturdy stems render them a great choice for cut flowers. Garden phlox grows in upright clumps, and it is a moderately tall perennial. In fact, “tall phlox” is another of its common names. The species name of paniculata refers to the “panicles” of blooms (flower heads) held atop its stalks. Considering the value that garden phlox flowers add to a landscape, the care that they need is minimal. If located in a sunny spot and provided with a soil that drains well, they should thrive and come back year after year. Even their biggest problem, a disease known as powdery mildew, is rarely fatal but it can spoil their looks a bit.
Garden phlox attracts bees and other pollinating insects to the yard so you want to avoid spraying with insecticides or herbicides that can kill them.