Garden Phlox

(Phlox paniculata)

 

   

 

 

Color Photographs: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata L.)

Identification: Flowers pink, with 5 petals and a long, thin corolla tube. Petals wedge-shaped, radiating from the center of the corolla tube. Stamens visible in the opening of the corolla tube. Plant branched near the top and flowers in a series of small clusters at the top of each stem. Clusters include flowers, flower buds, and seedpods, giving the cluster a rough, prickly appearance. Stem smooth. Leaves in opposite pairs, elongate, but broader and larger than in other species covered here. Plant 2 to 6 feet in height.

Distribution: Throughout eastern North America.

Habitat: Garden Phlox is a species of forests and thickets.

Flowering period: July to October.

Similar Species: Garden Phlox is most likely to be confused with Smooth Phlox. Smooth Phlox has narrower leaves and its flowering period is earlier in the year (May to June). Wild Sweet William has a purple spotted stem and the corolla tube is longer and narrower.

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