Phlox paniculata: location, care & varieties

The high flame flower is a special type of phlox. Here you will find out what to consider when planting and caring for the Phlox paniculata.

Outstanding among the Flame flowers (phlox) is the high perennial phlox (Phlox paniculata). And this should not be missing in any garden. The mixture of different varieties results in a unique sea of ​​flowers and the high flame flower is also a wonderful eye-catcher along garden fences and walls.

Phlox paniculata

The high perennial phlox is probably the best known and most diverse species among the phloxes. In its homeland, the deciduous forests of North America, it grows along rivers. In your own garden, the flame flower can be wonderfully mixed with other perennials and it also unfolds its full effect as a cut flower.

Phlox paniculata: characteristics and peculiarities

Its intense, sweet scent is particularly beguiling, not just for us humans. The high perennial phlox attracts countless of ours domestic butterflies and Hoverflies at. Even at night it is not quiet around the flowers, because the night owls want to get their share. The particularly beautiful thing about the Hohen Stauden-Phlox is its long flowering time from spring to autumn, depending on the variety. This will please you as a garden owner as well as all those who need his nectar.

As its name suggests, the high perennial phlox is one of the large phlox species. It can be up to 1.5 meters high. Its flowers shine in almost every imaginable color - from pure white to intense pink or blue-violet. Even mottled versions are available.

The claims of Phlox paniculata are very special: Although they love blazing sun or light shade, it should always be nice and humid. However, once it has found its place and feels good, it will delight the garden owner for many years and can even reproduce using seeds or runners.

Phlox paniculata varieties

The tall perennial phlox is an extremely popular and attractive garden plant. It has been cultivated as an ornamental plant in Europe for a long time. So it's no wonder that there are now a wide variety of varieties. These vary mainly in their color and the size of the flowers, but also in terms of height. Important differences between the varieties are also their tolerance and resistance to drought mildew.

The following varieties of Phlox paniculata are particularly beautiful:

• "Bright Eyes": The name says it all. The intense dark pink point in the middle of the large light pink flower shines like an eye. The variety smells just summery from June to September. It is characterized by its special mildew resistance and is almost a meter high.
• "Blue Paradise": This variety blooms, how could it be otherwise, in an intense blue. In contrast to the relatively drought-tolerant variety ‘Bright Eyes’, ‘Blue Paradise’ always needs sufficient moisture. A layer of mulch can help keep the soil moist. The variety prefers somewhat cooler places, but with sufficient sunlight. Under the right conditions, it reaches almost a meter in height and blooms from July to September.
• ‘amethyst‘: The ‘Amethyst’ variety impresses with its countless intense dark purple flowers. It grows up to a meter high and blooms from July to September.
• ‘A. E. Amos‘: This phlox variety blooms bright red in July and August and is an absolute eye-catcher. With a height of 90 cm, it looks good as a mixture with other phlox varieties.
• ‘alabaster‘: The ‘Alabaster’ variety is presented in white with a purple center. In cool summers, the white predominates, while hot summers tend to turn the flowers pink. So ‘Alabaster’ is the weatherman among phloxes.
• ‘Twister‘: This variety immediately catches the eye with its unusual stripes. Each petal is white with a bright pink stripe. The variety reaches a height of up to one meter.
• ‘Utopia‘: A real giant among the phloxes is ‘Utopia’. The variety grows up to 180 cm high. That makes it an excellent background plant in the truest sense of the word. Its flowers are pale pink.

Plant Phlox paniculata

The right location is essential. In its homeland, the Hohe Stauden-Phlox grows along bodies of water. This location is bright and sunny, at the same time the soil is always sufficiently moist and rich in nutrients. So try to find a location for your phlox that comes close to these conditions. Since only a few can score with a stream through the garden, the right conditions can also be created artificially. Put the phlox in a sunny place with good soil rich in humus. A layer of mulch around the plants keeps the soil nice and cool and moist. Make sure that the plant has enough space. It shouldn't be too close, but rather free so that it always dries off well after it rains. If there is too much moisture between the leaves, there is a risk of powdery mildew infestation (Erysiphe cichoracearum). The high flame flower can be beautifully integrated into perennial beds, depending on the variety in the back or foreground, and is a long-term companion.

More about the Plants of phlox can be read here.

Summary of the correct location for phlox:

• Bright and sunny
• Nutrient-rich, humus soil
• Cool and damp surface
• Relatively free-standing

Maintaining Phlox paniculata: what to keep in mind

Caring for phlox isn't all that complicated. The right location is half the battle. Watering is only necessary in hot and dry summers, but fertilization in spring with fresh compost soil or manure really stimulates the plant to grow. If there is unfortunately not such an optimal location available in the garden, the phlox can be a bit more demanding. Drought can affect him. You should therefore water a little more often in a location with little water. A layer of mulch around the plant reduces evaporation and thus keeps the soil moist.

Everything for Caring for phlox we have compiled for you here.

More about the related species Phlox douglasii can also be found here.