Garden Phlox Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise'
ABOUT
Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise' is a perennial plant known for its striking flowers and lush foliage. The most captivating feature of 'Blue Paradise' is its blossoms, which boast a range of hues from a deep, vibrant blue to a more subtle blue with hints of purple depending on the light conditions. The flowers are grouped in large, rounded clusters at the top of sturdy stems, and they have a lovely fragrance that attracts a variety of pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. The petals are delicate and slightly overlap each other, giving the clusters a full, rich appearance. The blooms emerge in the summer and can last into the early fall, providing a lengthy season of color. The foliage of 'Blue Paradise' consists of lance-shaped leaves with a soft, sometimes almost powdery texture. They are a deep green color, creating a beautiful contrast with the cool blue tones of the flowers. The leaves are arranged oppositely along the stems, giving the plant a dense, bushy aspect. This luscious backdrop of green makes the blue flowers stand out even more conspicuously in a garden setting. Overall, 'Blue Paradise' is loved for its showy floral display and the refreshing pop of color it brings to a landscape.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Polemoniaceae
Synonyms
Garden Phlox, Summer Phlox, Fall Phlox, Perennial Phlox
Common names
Phlox paniculata
ToxicityTo humans
Garden Phlox is generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, if ingested in large quantities, it may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea or stomach pain. These symptoms are relatively uncommon, as the plant is not typically consumed by humans.
To pets
Garden Phlox is also commonly considered non-toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. Much like in humans, if a pet were to ingest a significant amount of the plant, it might lead to some gastrointestinal discomfort, but severe poisoning is unlikely. However, individual animals may have different sensitivities, and it is always a good idea to prevent pets from eating plants.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
2-4 feet (60-120 cm)
Spread
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise' is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to the garden, enhancing pollination of surrounding plants.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its vibrant blue flowers, it adds a splash of color to garden landscapes and is ideal for creating picturesque settings.
- Fragrance: The plant emits a sweet fragrance that can make an outdoor space more enjoyable and can even add scent to cut flower arrangements indoors.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Phlox paniculata is relatively drought-tolerant, requiring minimal irrigation in well-draining soils.
- Easy to Grow: It is often regarded as an easy-to-grow perennial that can tolerate a variety of soils and garden conditions.
- Long Bloom Period: 'Blue Paradise' blooms from mid-summer to early fall, providing long-lasting color in the garden.
- Cut Flower Garden: The stems and blooms are suitable for cutting and can be used to make beautiful floral arrangements.
- Resistant to Deer: Phlox paniculata is generally resistant to deer, making it a good choice for gardens in areas with a deer population.
- Cottage Garden Style: Fits in well with the informal, mixed-planting style typical of cottage gardens, contributing to a diverse and lively environment.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography backdrop: The lush blooms of Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise' can serve as a stunning, natural backdrop for portrait and macro photography.
- Educational tool: Butterfly and pollinator gardens often use 'Blue Paradise' to educate visitors about the role of native flora in supporting wildlife.
- Color dye: The deep blue and purple hues of the flowers can be used to create natural dyes for textiles or art projects.
- Natural confetti: Dried petals of 'Blue Paradise' can serve as biodegradable confetti for outdoor celebrations and events.
- Floral art: The distinctive color of 'Blue Paradise' makes it suitable for pressed flower art, which preserves the beauty of the flowers in a unique way.
- Ice cubes: Freezing small flowers or petals of 'Blue Paradise' in ice cubes can add an elegant touch to summer drinks or punch bowls.
- Culinary decoration: Though not commonly eaten, the petals can be used to adorn salads and desserts for an appealing presentation.
- Scented sachets: Dried 'Blue Paradise' flowers can be used to create sweet-smelling sachets for drawers or closets.
- Flower arranging: Its vibrant color and tall stems make 'Blue Paradise' ideal for inclusion in both fresh and dried floral arrangements.
- Art subjects: The striking appearance of 'Blue Paradise' often inspires artists and can be the subject of paintings, drawings, and other visual arts.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Garden Phlox is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Garden Phlox is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Harmony - Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise', commonly known as Garden Phlox, is known to symbolize harmony due to its clusters of flowers that create a balanced and cohesive appearance.
- Unity - The dense blooms of Garden Phlox represent unity, as they grow tightly together, supporting one another on the stem.
- Agreement - Often given as a sign of consent or a friendly nod, Garden Phlox can indicate agreement between parties, much like the uniformity of its flowers.
- Partnership - Given that the individual florets within each cluster work in concert, Garden Phlox is a symbol for partnership, suggesting a strong collaborative bond.
WaterGarden Phlox should be watered deeply once a week, with about an inch of water each time, especially during prolonged periods of drought or heat. When watering, avoid overhead sprinkling to minimize the risk of powdery mildew and other fungal diseases, and instead water at the base of the plant. During spring and fall, adjust your watering to match rainfall and natural soil moisture, possibly reducing to once every two weeks with the same amount of water. Always check the soil moisture before watering; the soil should be moist at a depth of about an inch below the surface but not waterlogged.
LightGarden Phlox thrives best in full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. It can tolerate partial shade, particularly in hotter climates, but too much shade can result in fewer blooms and leggy growth. The ideal spot is a sunny border where it can receive ample light throughout the day to encourage robust growth and plentiful flowering.
TemperatureGarden Phlox is hardy and adaptable, but it performs best in temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive short periods of higher temperatures up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and tolerate cold down to about -30 degrees Fahrenheit, though it needs well-drained soil to prevent root rot in winter. The ideal temperature conditions for Garden Phlox are moderate and consistent, without extreme fluctuations.
PruningGarden Phlox should be pruned to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. Deadhead spent blooms regularly throughout the summer to promote continuous flowering. In late winter or early spring, before new growth starts, cut back the entire plant to about 1 to 2 inches above ground level to remove any dead or diseased stems and to rejuvenate the plant for the upcoming growing season. Additionally, dividing clumps every 3 to 5 years in early spring can help maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGarden Phlox thrives in a soil mix consisting of equal parts garden soil, peat, and perlite or coarse sand, ensuring good drainage and airflow. The ideal soil pH for Garden Phlox should be slightly acidic to neutral, between 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingGarden Phlox, being a perennial, typically does not require frequent repotting. It is best to divide and repot every 2-3 years to rejuvenate and manage its spread.
Humidity & MistingGarden Phlox prefers moderate humidity conditions, but as a garden plant, it generally adapts to ambient outdoor humidity levels quite well.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright indirect light and keep soil consistently moist.
Outdoor
Plant in sun to part shade, keep well-watered, mulch and deadhead.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleGarden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise') starts its life as a dormant seed sown into the soil either by human intervention or through natural dispersal. Upon receiving adequate warmth and moisture, the seed germinates, sprouting a small seedling that establishes a root system and begins to grow leaves in preparation for photosynthesis. As the plant matures, it develops a sturdy stem and large, fragrant, blue-violet flowers during the summer, attracting pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds. After the flowering period, the plant produces seeds which are then dispersed, completing the reproductive cycle. Throughout the autumn and winter, garden phlox enters a state of dormancy, with the above-ground growth dying back, while the roots remain alive underground to survive the cold. Come spring, the plant emerges from dormancy, regrowing from the existing root system to restart the cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Early Spring
Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise', commonly known as Garden Phlox, can be propagated by division, which is the most popular method. This process is usually done in the early spring or early fall. To propagate Garden Phlox by division, carefully dig up the plant and gently separate the root ball into smaller sections, ensuring that each division has a good amount of root and several shoots. Replant the divisions immediately at the same soil depth they were originally growing, spacing them about 18 to 24 inches (approximately 45 to 60 centimeters) apart to allow for adequate air circulation and growth. It's important to water the new divisions thoroughly after planting to help establish the roots. This method is effective as it not only propagates the plant but also rejuvenates older clumps that may have become less vigorous or too crowded.
