15 Phlox Plants to Try in Your Garden

Masses of cheery blossoms define the many phlox varieties available in garden stores, adaptable to many gardens and garden styles.

May 01, 2020

By: Felicia Feaster

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Moss Phlox 'Candy Stripe'

Phlox Subulata 'Candy Stripe' is a perennial moss phlox (Phlox subulata) that has pink blooming flowers.

Phlox Subulata ‘Atropurpurea’

Convert a rock garden or slope into a carpet of spring color by planting moss phlox. This ground cover prefers gritty, alkaline soils in full sun, which means it thrives in planting beds along concrete sidewalks or driveways. Flowers sparkle in spring and bring long-lasting color to the garden. After blooms fade, trim any dead or weak growth. Plants are hardy in Zones 2 to 9.

'Bright Eyes' Phlox

The beautiful two-tone soft pink and magenta flowerheads of 'Bright Eyes' phlox bloom from midsummer through early fall.

Wild Sweet William or Phlox Divaricata

This woodland phlox is a spreading, native wildflower that often appears along streams and in woods and is ideal for rock gardens.

Phlox Drummondii

This annual phlox is native to Texas and features bright rose-red blossoms and typically blooms in spring.

'Gisele' Phlox

Phlox 'Gisele' from Ball Seed features a mounded habit and heat tolerance and boasts large, attractive flower clusters.

Phlox Subulata 'Drummond's Pink'

One of the largest creeping varieties of phlox subulata, 'Drummond's Pink' blooms in mid-spring and is drought tolerant.

'Intensia Blueberry' Phlox

Blueberry phlox is the perfect addition to container gardens, tossing open flowers all summer long. You don't have to deadhead these beauties to keep the flower show going strong. Butterflies love this bloomer, as do rabbits, so net phlox in plantings that bunnies can reach. Plants grow 10 to 12 inches tall and wide.

Flame Series Coral Garden Phlox

Tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) is an old-fashioned perennial that fills midsummer with perfumed color. Flowers open in shades of pink, red, purple, white and various bicolor combinations. The blooms release a sweet fragrance that wafts through the garden on sultry summer days. This beauty is sold as Flame Series Coral garden phlox. The Flame Series is a group of naturally dwarf, compact garden phlox that grows 15 to 18 inches tall — a perfect height for containers, front of the border or courtyard gardens. Plants boast strong disease resistance and a naturally bushy form. Hardy in Zones 3-8.

Phlox Paniculata 'Australia'

This perennial phlox blooms pink in mid-summer to mid-fall.

Bubblegum Pink Phlox

This shorter version of perennial garden phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘Ditomfra’) grows to 24 inches tall and opens bright pink blooms with deeper pink centers. Grow this phlox in butterfly gardens, and plant a few extra so you can clip blooms for bouquets. Flowers appear from summer into fall. Leaves are mildew-resistant. Hardy in Zones 3 to 9.

Phlox subulata 'Purple Beauty'

Phlox subulata 'Purple Beauty' grows here with sprigs of Amsonia hubrichtii (also called Threadleaf Amsonia or Threadleaf Blue Star).

Volcano Phlox

Volcano phlox are a sturdy variety that produce an abundance of blooms which also feature a lovely fragrance. They are resistant to powdery mildew, a common problem with phlox.

Phlox Paniculata 'Tenor'

This early-blooming perennial phlox features lush clusters of vivid red flowers.

Creeping Phlox or Phlox Subulata

Perennial ground cover purple creeping phlox, phlox subulata or moss phlox in shown in an alpine flowerbed.