Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Over 40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners

Phlox Subulata (moss pink) in landscape. Photo © Elaine Mills
You are here: Home / Plants / Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic / Perennials / Phlox paniculata (Fall or Garden Phlox)

Phlox paniculata (Fall or Garden Phlox)

Opposite, pointed, lanceolate to elliptic, usually glabrous leaves of Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox) in April.
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox) buds in June
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox) compound panicle of white flowers in July
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox) en masse at National Arboretum in July
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox) pinkish flowers with magenta eyes in July
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox) pink and magenta flowers en masse at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in July
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox) 'David' en masse at Bon Air Park's Sunny Garden in August.
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox) magenta flowers with eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly in August
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox) in a residential landscape in August.

Note: Click on images to see enlarged photos, captions, and photo attributions.
On a mobile phone, click on the information symbol (circle with a letter ℹ︎ symbol).

Tried and True Native Plant Selections Fall or Garden Phlox for the Mid-Atlantic Despite its rather finicky disposition, what makes this native* phlox a popular garden plant? Probably its panicles (as reflected in its epithet), large and showy with fragrant flowers in a range of white, pinks, and purples. Perennial Flowers en Masse* and with Monarch Height: 11⁄2–61⁄2 feet Spread: 2–3 feet Bloom Color: White, pink, lavender, red-purple Characteristics Upright herbaceous perennial forming dense multi-stemmed clumps or open drifts Opposite, pointed lanceolate to elliptic leaves with ciliate margins and conspicuous pinnate venation, usually glabrous above and pubescent beneath Dense panicles of aromatic flowers with tubular corolla and five flat, rounded, petal-like lobes with exserted anthers and united styles bloom July to October followed by seed capsules Attributes Tolerates clay soil, black walnut; intolerant of drought; serious problems include phlox bugs, powdery mildew, and root rot; deer and rabbits occasionally severely damage foliage Attracts butterflies, skippers, moths, and hummingbirds; larval host to ~7 lepidopterans Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Rich, well-drained Buddleia davidii - Butterfly Bush Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Crocosmia - Crocosmia Water Requirements: Moist Hesperis matronalis - Dame’s Rocket Plant in full sun, allow good air circulation (thin out stems as necessary), and avoid overhead watering to prevent/reduce powdery mildew** Mulch in summer to keep roots cool Cut to ground in early winter and place all plant material in trash to help prevent phlox bugs *It is native to DC and MD and present throughout PA. It is not indigenous to DE. In VA, it is frequent in the mountains and northern Piedmont and infrequent elsewhere. **Numerous studies have compared powdery mildew resistance among modern cultivars. NC State University found ‘David,’ pictured above (top left), and ‘Robert Poore’ to be highly resistant to powdery mildew in warm, humid climates. Use in perennial border, butterfly/bird garden, cottage garden, and cutting garden Hardiness: USDA Zones 4a–8b developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Mary Free, Sunny Garden and Quarry Shade Garden and by Elaine Mills (bottom), Arlington, VA

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
 for the Mid-Atlantic

Print Version (Legal Size):
Phlox paniculata (Fall or Garden Phlox)

Despite its rather finicky disposition, what makes this native* phlox a popular garden plant? Probably its panicles (as reflected in its epithet), large and showy with fragrant flowers in a range of white, pinks, and purples.

*It is native to DC and MD and present throughout PA. It is not indigenous to DE. In VA, it is frequent in the mountains and northern Piedmont and infrequent elsewhere. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets