Phlox paniculata - Garden Phlox

Family:	Polemoniaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.2
Width:	0.6
Synonyms:
Range:	N. America - New Jersey to N. Carolina, west to Ohio and south to Louisiana.

Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.2m and a width of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 4.
Garden Phlox will flower in December to March. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Garden Phlox will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Garden Phlox prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Garden Phlox can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Open woods, scrub, sides of streams and on hillsides, often on limestone[187].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge

Cultivation Details

Prefers a rich moist soil with ample moisture in the summer[187]. 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[200]. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[187]. A very ornamental plant[233], it hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. The type species is rarely cultivated[188] but a number of varieties have been selected for their ornamental value[187]. The flowers emit a deliciously sweet perfume, though some people find it unpleasant especially as the flowers start to fade[245]. A good butterfly plant[30].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

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[111]. 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.

Scented parts of the plants

Flowers : Fresh

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

'' - There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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