PHLOX are among our most popular perennials. All phlox feature individual flowers made up of a ring of five broad petals opening from prettily twisted buds and gathered into clusters – sometimes large cone-shaped clusters filled with many flowers, sometimes small, upward-facing clusters.
They fall into two broad groups: the taller hardy perennial phlox are important features in our mixed and herbaceous borders, and for cutting. These are mainly sun-lovers, but most are happy in dappled shade.
The shorter, rock-garden types, often low, compact and creeping, are mainly sun-lovers and spread into a low mat, the leaves hidden by the dazzling spring flowers.
Woodland phlox, naturally, enjoy a little shade and are a little taller than the rock-garden phlox with airy flowerheads above the steadily spreading crown.
Hardy perennial phlox
From tight, slowly spreading clumps, vertical stems from 3-5ft (90cm-1.5m) high lined with pairs of pointed green leaves. Topped in summer by
