Garden Phlox Phlox paniculata 'Flamingo'
ABOUT
Phlox paniculata 'Flamingo' is a delightfully vibrant perennial plant known for its showy, fragrant flowers. It is part of the garden phlox group, which is well-loved for its contribution to summer blooms. 'Flamingo' features clusters of eye-catching flowers, each with a stunning appearance. The blossoms come in a beautiful shade of soft pink, with each petal exhibiting a lighter center and darker edges, creating a delicate, two-tone effect. These blooms are arranged in dense, pyramid-shaped clusters that form at the tips of sturdy, upright stems. The foliage of 'Flamingo' is a rich, green color, providing a lush backdrop for the spectacular flowers. The leaves are lance-shaped, with a slightly textured surface, and grow in pairs or whorls along the stems. This creates a full, bushy appearance that is both neat and graceful. The overall presentation of 'Flamingo' makes it a favorite among gardeners looking to add a touch of romance and color to their landscape. Its sweet fragrance only adds to its charm, attracting pollinators as well as human admirers.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Polemoniaceae
Synonyms
Garden Phlox, Summer Phlox, Perennial Phlox, Fall Phlox
Common names
Phlox paniculata 'Flamingo'
ToxicityTo humans
Garden Phlox is generally not considered toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning or serious side effects from ingesting this plant. However, it is always advisable to avoid ingestion of ornamental plants, as individual allergies or sensitivities could potentially cause mild stomach upset or other allergic reactions.
To pets
Garden Phlox is not known to be toxic to pets either. It is not listed among plants that are commonly dangerous to cats, dogs, or other household pets. However, similar to humans, ingestion of non-food plants can potentially lead to gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea in some pets, so it is prudent to prevent pets from eating this plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts pollinators: Garden Phlox is known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which are essential for pollination and the health of the garden ecosystem.
- Colorful blooms: Garden Phlox provides vibrant shades of pink, which can brighten up any garden and provide visual interest throughout the blooming season.
- Fragrance: The flowers of Garden Phlox are famously fragrant, adding a pleasant scent to the garden that can also enhance the sensory experience of a landscape.
- Long blooming period: Garden Phlox has a relatively long flowering period, which ensures that your garden has color and interest for an extended time during the summer months.
- Relatively easy to grow: It is a hardy perennial that can thrive in a range of conditions, making it suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners.
- Versatility in the garden: Garden Phlox can be used in various garden designs, including borders, flowerbeds, and cottage gardens, making it a versatile choice for many landscapes.
- Cut flower potential: The stems of Garden Phlox are sturdy and the blooms long-lasting, making them great for cutting and arranging in bouquets.
- Deer resistant: Garden Phlox is less appealing to deer compared to other garden plants, providing an option for gardens in areas with heavy deer presence.
- Improves biodiversity: By providing nectar and habitat, Garden Phlox can play a role in supporting local biodiversity.
- Can be propagated easily: Garden Phlox can be propagated through division, making it easy to expand your planting or share with others.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, Garden Phlox can tolerate periods of drought, reducing the need for frequent watering.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Garden borders: Phlox paniculata 'Flamingo', commonly known as Summer Phlox, can be used to create dramatic borders in a garden setting due to its tall stature and clusters of pink flowers.
- Butterfly gardens: The blooms of Summer Phlox are highly attractive to butterflies, making them an excellent choice for butterfly gardens to encourage pollinator visits.
- Cut flower arrangements: The long-stemmed flowers of the Summer Phlox are ideal for inclusion in cut flower arrangements, providing both height and color.
- Natural dye: The petals of Summer Phlox can be used to extract a natural dye for fabrics or crafts, although not as commonly as other plant dyes.
- Photography backdrop: The vibrant flowers of the Summer Phlox serve as a stunning backdrop for photography, especially for close-ups of insects like bees and butterflies.
- Educational tool: Summer Phlox can be used in educational settings such as schools and botanical gardens to teach students about plant biology and pollination.
- Memory gardens: Due to their striking appearance and fragrance, these flowers are often planted in memory gardens as a tribute to loved ones.
- Holiday decorations: The flowers of the Summer Phlox can be used in fresh or dried form to add a natural touch to holiday wreaths and table centerpieces.
- Companion planting: Summer Phlox can be planted alongside other perennials to support biodiversity and enhance the overall aesthetics of a garden space.
- Nocturnal wildlife attraction: The flowers of Summer Phlox, which stay open in the evening, can attract nocturnal pollinators such as certain moths.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Phlox is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Phlox is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Harmony and Unity: Often associated with the harmonious blending of its many petals, the Garden Phlox symbolizes the unity and compatibility in relationships.
- Proposal and Agreement: Because the Garden Phlox grows in clusters with flowers closely knit together, it can symbolize an agreement or proposal, implying the unity of two parties.
- New Beginnings: As a plant that blooms vigorously, it can represent fresh starts and new opportunities.
- Sweet Dreams: With its gentle appearance and fragrance, the Garden Phlox is sometimes linked to the wish for pleasant dreams or the presence of sweet thoughts.
- Partnership: The clusters of the Phlox's flowers represent the concept of partnership or coming together in a collaboration or relationship.
WaterGarden Phlox requires regular watering, especially during dry spells. Water deeply at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. During the growing season, aim for about an inch of water per week, either through rainfall or irrigation. If you're watering with a hose or watering can, this equates to approximately 0.6 gallons per square yard per week. In hot, dry weather, increase the frequency of watering to maintain consistently moist soil.
LightGarden Phlox thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is best to plant it in a location where it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight a day for optimal blooming. However, in areas with extremely hot summers, a spot with afternoon shade can help protect the plants from intense heat and sun.
TemperatureGarden Phlox is hardy and does well in a wide range of temperatures, but it prefers moderate conditions. It can typically survive winter temperatures down to about -30 degrees Fahrenheit, while the upper limit for heat tolerance is around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal growing temperatures for Garden Phlox are between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
PruningPruning Garden Phlox helps to promote vigorous growth and prevent disease. Deadheading, or removing spent flower heads, will encourage a second bloom. In late winter or early spring, cut back the foliage to about 1-2 inches from the ground to maintain a tidy appearance and stimulate new growth. Prune any dead or broken stems throughout the growing season as needed.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGarden Phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Flamingo') thrives in a soil mix that is rich, fertile, and well-draining with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. A good mix might include equal parts of loam, peat moss, and perlite or sand to ensure proper drainage and fertility.
RepottingGarden Phlox typically does not need frequent repotting as it is a perennial plant. Repotting can be done every 3-4 years or when the plant outgrows its current space, showing signs of root crowding.
Humidity & MistingGarden Phlox does well in average outdoor humidity levels and does not require high humidity. It can tolerate some variation in humidity, but stagnant air and overly wet conditions should be avoided to prevent disease.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light and good air circulation indoors.
Outdoor
Plant in sunny spot with well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe Garden Phlox 'Flamingo' starts its life cycle as a seed, sown in moist, well-draining soil in early spring or by division of established plants. Seedlings emerge and develop into young plants with a rosette of leaves at the soil surface. As temperatures warm, the plant enters a vegetative growth phase where it develops a sturdy stem and abundant foliage. By mid-summer, the Garden Phlox 'Flamingo' begins its reproductive stage, producing tall flower clusters in shades of pink, which attract pollinators and can last several weeks. After flowering, seeds form and are dispersed, while the plant's foliage begins to wilt and die back with the onset of cooler autumn temperatures. The plant overwinters as a root system, with new growth resuming in the spring, completing its perennial cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Spring - Early Summer
Propogation: The Phlox paniculata 'Flamingo', commonly known as the Garden Phlox, is best propagated in the spring or early summer. The most popular method of propagation for this perennial plant is by division. This process involves carefully digging up an established clump of Phlox after it has finished blooming and the foliage has died back. The clump should then be gently separated into smaller sections, making sure that each section has a good root system and several shoots. These divisions can be immediately replanted in a well-prepared garden bed, spacing them about 1 to 2 feet apart to allow for growth and air circulation. Water the new plantings thoroughly to help establish them in their new locations. Division helps to rejuvenate older plants and can be a quick method to create more plants for expanding the garden or sharing with fellow garden enthusiasts.
