Garden Phlox Phlox paniculata Peacock Neon Purple (Peacock Series)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The garden phlox known as Peacock Neon Purple from the Peacock Series is a popular flowering plant celebrated for its vivid floral display. This particular variety is recognizable by its generous clusters of neon purple flowers that exhibit a radiant and intense purple hue, making it a standout in any landscape setting. The flowers are arranged in a panicle-like formation on the top of sturdy stems, with each individual bloom displaying a classic phlox shape. The petals are rounded with slightly pointed tips, forming a lovely and harmonious flower head. The foliage of this garden phlox provides a lush green backdrop for the bright purple blossoms. The leaves are lance-shaped and can range from bright to dark green, which contrasts beautifully with the vibrant floral hues above. Together, the blooms and foliage form a dense and bushy appearance, creating a noticeable impact in a garden space. With its exceptional flower color, the Peacock Neon Purple garden phlox makes an attractive choice for borders, beds, and as a striking addition to floral arrangements.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Polemoniaceae
- Synonyms
  Garden Phlox, Summer Phlox, Perennial Phlox, Tall Phlox
- Common names
  Phlox paniculata Peacock Neon Purple (Peacock Series).
Toxicity
- To humans
  Garden Phlox is generally not considered toxic to humans. Ingesting parts of the plant is not known to cause serious poisoning. However, it is always sensible to exercise caution and avoid ingesting parts of ornamental plants since individual allergic reactions or gastrointestinal discomfort might occur.
- To pets
  Garden Phlox is not typically listed as a toxic plant to pets such as dogs and cats. While it is unlikely to cause severe poisoning, it is possible for pets to experience mild gastrointestinal upset if they ingest part of the plant, such as vomiting or diarrhea, especially if they consume large amounts. As with any non-food plant, it's best to prevent pets from eating garden phlox to avoid any potential issues.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Purple
- Height
  2-4 feet (60-120 cm)
- Spread
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  4-8
- Native area
  North America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vibrant purple colors to a garden, enhancing visual interest and landscape beauty.
- Attracts Pollinators: Draws in bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, promoting biodiversity.
- Easy to Grow: Adaptable to various soil types, requires minimal maintenance once established.
- Long Blooming Period: Offers a lengthy display of flowers from mid to late summer.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, it can withstand periods of low water availability, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Fragrance: Emits a pleasant scent that can enhance the sensory experience of a garden area.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Garden Border Attraction: The vibrant blooms of Phlox can be used to create stunning garden borders, attracting the eye and giving structure to garden design.
- Floral Artistry: Phlox flowers can be incorporated into floral arrangements and installations for their bright colors and tall, structured appearance.
- Edible Decor: The petals of Phlox are edible and can be used as colorful garnishes on salads, desserts, or cocktails for an ornamental touch.
- Fabric Dyeing: The flowers can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, providing a range of purple hues depending on the mordant used.
- Photography Subject: Phlox, with its intense purple color, can be an excellent subject for photographers looking to capture the beauty of flowers and gardens.
- Scented Gardens: Although not known for a strong scent, Phlox can contribute to creating a fragrant garden when planted amongst other aromatic plants.
- Butterfly Gardens: Phlox is known to attract butterflies and can be included in butterfly gardens to support local butterfly populations.
- Environmental Education: Using Phlox in school gardens can help teach children about plant growth, pollinators, and the ecological importance of local flora.
- Theme Gardens: Phlox's vivid color can be used in theme gardens, such as 'moon gardens' where white and light colored plants are chosen to reflect moonlight.
- Mood-Enhancing Landscapes: Landscaping with Phlox can improve the aesthetic of an environment which in turn can boost mood and provide a sense of well-being.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Garden Phlox is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Garden Phlox is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Harmony – The rich, uniform purple color of the phlox is often associated with a sense of equilibrium and tranquility, reminiscent of the balance found in nature.
- Unity – Phlox plants typically grow in clusters with numerous flowers creating a visually cohesive unit, symbolizing togetherness and collective effort in society.
- Agreement – Historically, because of the phlox's tendency to bloom uniformly, it has been a symbol of concord and mutual understanding among people.
- New Beginnings – The perennial nature of phlox, with its ability to return year after year, stands as a testament to fresh starts and the persistence of life.
- Proposal – In some traditions, the phlox's vivid beauty and harmonious presence in gardens has made it a flower used to propose friendship or courtship.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The garden phlox should be watered deeply, ensuring the water reaches the roots, about once a week during the growing season. An inch of water per week is a good rule of thumb, which translates to roughly 0.6 gallons for a medium-sized plant. Increase the frequency during extremely hot or dry periods, but always allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering in the fall as the plant prepares for dormancy.
Light
Garden phlox thrives in full sun, which means it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. The best spot for garden phlox would be a location where it can receive unfiltered sunlight throughout the morning and partial shade during the hottest part of the afternoon, although it can tolerate all-day sun if not in extremely hot climates.
Temperature
Garden phlox is hardy and can withstand a wide range of temperatures, typically between 60°F and 90°F for optimal growth. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about -30°F with proper winter protection. Ideal growth occurs when daytime temperatures are between 68°F and 75°F.
Pruning
To maintain shape and encourage bushier growth and more blooms, prune garden phlox in early spring just before new growth starts. Deadheading spent flowers will also promote further blooming. Cut back the stems to about 1-2 inches above the ground after the first frost in the fall to prepare the plant for winter.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Garden Phlox thrives in rich, moist, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0. A mix of garden soil, compost, and a bit of perlite or sand for improved drainage makes an ideal growing medium for this vibrant perennial.
Repotting
Garden Phlox typically does not require frequent repotting and can be left undisturbed for several years. Repotting is usually done when the plant outgrows its current space or begins to show signs of overcrowding, typically every 3-5 years.
Humidity & Misting
Garden Phlox prefers average to high humidity levels but is quite adaptable. The plant will do well in garden settings where humidity naturally fluctuates.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Plant in sunny spot with moist, well-draining soil.
- Hardiness zone
  4-8 USDA
Life cycle
The life of the Phlox paniculata Peacock Neon Purple, commonly known as Garden Phlox, begins with seed germination, which occurs in the warmth of late spring to early summer when soil temperatures are conducive. Following germination, seedlings will grow and establish a root system while developing foliage, becoming juvenile plants. As the plant matures, it enters a vegetative state where it grows foliage and stems robustly during spring and early summer. The next stage is the flowering phase in mid to late summer, where the Garden Phlox produces its characteristic vibrant purple panicle-shaped blooms which are highly attractive to pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. After the blooming period, the plant sets seed, which may fall to the ground and self-sow, completing the reproductive cycle. Over winter, the plant enters dormancy, with the above-ground parts dying back and the plant surviving as a root system, ready to regrow the following spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The Phlox paniculata, commonly known as Garden Phlox, can be effectively propagated by root cuttings, a popular method among gardeners. This technique is best performed in late autumn or early winter when the plant is dormant. To propagate Garden Phlox by root cuttings, carefully unearth a portion of the plant's root system and select healthy roots, ideally about the thickness of a pencil. Cut these roots into sections approximately 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) long, making sure each piece has a top and bottom end, with the top end marked to ensure correct orientation when planting. The cuttings should then be inserted vertically into a mix of sand and peat, with the top end slightly above the surface. In a few weeks, these sections will develop shoots and can eventually be transplanted into the garden once they establish a strong root system.