Introducing...
Border phlox
Botanical name: Phlox
Common name: Perennial phlox
Border phlox are a popular choice for cottage-style gardens and romantic herbaceous borders. As cultivars of Phlox paniculata, P. maculata and P.&²Ô²ú²õ±è;×&²Ô²ú²õ±è;arendsii, their sturdy upright stems carry domed or pyramidal flowerheads in summer. They mix well with other summer-flowering perennial plants such as delphiniums, astrantias and campanulas.
Looks
At around 1-1.5m (3¼-5ft) tall, clumps of phlox offer flowers through the spectrum of delicate lavender and baby-pink pastels to bright shades of orange and cerise. Some cultivars have variegated or dark foliage. In bloom, they have a spicy, dry scent.
Likes
Border phlox need fertile, free-draining soil in sun or light shade. They appreciate applications of garden compost or well-rotted manure to improve the soil and retain moisture.
Dislikes
Performance can be disappointing on poor, dry soils, so it's well-worth improving these before planting.
Did you know?
Trimming back the faded flowered stems, or snipping out the central part of each phlox flowerhead, often results in further flowers growing out from side shoots into autumn.
Growing guide
How to grow border phlox
All the information you’ll need to grow and care for border phlox in your garden.
Border phlox we recommend
Phlox paniculata 'Prospero'
perennial phlox 'Prospero'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Phlox paniculata 'Monica Lynden-Bell'
perennial phlox 'Monica Lynden-Bell'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Phlox paniculata 'Rosa Pastell'
perennial phlox 'Rosa Pastell'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Phlox paniculata 'Prospero'
perennial phlox 'Prospero'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Phlox paniculata 'Monica Lynden-Bell'
perennial phlox 'Monica Lynden-Bell'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Phlox paniculata 'Rosa Pastell'
perennial phlox 'Rosa Pastell'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Useful advice
Perennials: dividing
Perennials: cutting back
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