• colourful late summer and fall perennial
• many colours available
• holds bloom a long time
• will tolerate some shade but prefers sun
• will tolerate short periods of drought but prefers consistent partially moist loam
• clump forming, 2-3ft tall and wide
• fragrant and good cut flower

Garden phlox is very different to the wild Moss Phlox which many in the mountains will be familiar with. This clump forming upright perennial with sturdy stems provides a long lasting burst of colour from August through ’til frost. The flowers come in a range from white through pinks and lavender pinks with variegations in between. I find the plants will cross pollinate and surprise the garden with new colours if allowed to ‘do their thing.’ They don’t reproduce prolifically but new plants do appear.

Garden Phlox blooms at the same time and looks wonderful when combined with Echinaceas and Erigerons. The contrasts of white and steely blue or pink and steel blue create an eye-catching impact in the perennial border.

I do not find this perennial is susceptible to any pests or diseases and in fact is an easy mainstay which requires little or no care for the late summer garden. These photographs were all taken on August 29th of this year.