History

• Native to North America, garden phlox arrived in England in 1732. According to Flower Info, the flower's initial claim to fame followed publication of a commissioned article by German botanist Johann Jacob Dillenius. The commentary described Dr. James Sherard’s renowned Eltham garden, in which grew an abundance of stunning Phlox paniculata. “Phlox” is Greek for “flame,” in reference to the blossom’s original color of vibrant red. Decades of breeding produced numerous cultivars in a rainbow of colors.
  
  

Description

• Phlox flowers open from tubes that grow in panicles, or clusters, atop solid stems. Individual blossoms contain five petals, and leaves are spear-shaped. Garden phlox can grow to a height of 3 feet. Two of the most common types of these flowers are tall phlox, which bloom in early summer and create bright, colorful landscape borders, and creeping phlox, which blossom during spring and are grown in rock gardens as ground cover. Butterflies and hummingbirds are drawn to the sweet fragrance of phlox flowers.
  
  

Growing Conditions

• Garden phlox require little maintenance, maintains the National Gardening Association. These flowers can grow in diverse soil: moist and well drained, sandy, or rich in organic content. Some types of garden phlox favor full sun, while others flourish in shade. Besides being easy to care for in gardens, phlox thrive as potted plants.
  
  

Powdery Mildew

• Powdery mildew is one of the most common diseases to affect garden phlox plants. Unfavorable conditions, such as high temperatures and humidity, and substandard air circulation among the plants increase dispersal of the white, chalky substance on plant foliage. Fungicides help halt the spread of powdery mildew. According to Purdue University, numerous garden phlox cultivars have been developed that show some resistance to the disease, including Starfire, Orange Perfection and Bright Eyes.
  
  

Two-Spotted Spider Mites

• Infestation of two-spotted spider mites can cause serious damage to phlox plants. These pests attach themselves underneath the leaves and sometimes form webs that encircle upper and lower leaf surfaces. Pale yellow foliage indicates the insects’ presence. Spray insecticidal soap to control spider mites invasion.