Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Mount Fuji') is a native North American perennial that brings fragrant, showy summer color to any garden. This upright beauty grows 24 to 48 inches tall and blooms from July through September with flowers that butterflies, hummingbirds, and birds find irresistible. Hardy in zones 4 to 8, it tolerates deer, drought, and clay soil while offering the bonus of being edible, a rare combination that makes it both beautiful and versatile.
Partial Sun
Moderate
4-8
48in H x 36in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
Garden phlox stands out for its intense fragrance and prolific flowering that stretches from mid-summer into fall, making it invaluable for extending the season of color. The stiff, upright stems carry narrow, deep green leaves and flower clusters that demand zero staking in most conditions. Butterflies practically swarm these blooms, while the flowers cut beautifully for arrangements. Its native heritage means it fits naturally into any garden while attracting beneficial pollinators throughout the growing season.
Garden phlox is primarily grown as an ornamental perennial, prized for cutting fresh arrangements and for its role in summer borders and cottage gardens. While technically edible, the plant is cultivated almost exclusively for its flowers rather than culinary use. The blooms attract and support butterflies, hummingbirds, and birds, making garden phlox essential for pollinator gardens and wildlife habitat.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Cut flowers for arrangements when the blooms open but before they fully mature, choosing stems with multiple open flowers along the spike. Morning harvest yields the longest vase life. Simply snip stems at a 45-degree angle using clean shears.
Thin out stems in early growth to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure. Remove spent flower clusters to encourage continued blooming and maintain plant shape. Cut back stems in late fall or early spring as part of seasonal cleanup.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Phlox paniculata is native to eastern North America, ranging from New York and Iowa south to Georgia, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Over centuries, this perennial has escaped cultivation and naturalized across regions beyond its original range, adapting to moist woods, stream banks, and gravel bars. Garden phlox has become a cornerstone of traditional cottage gardens, with gardeners selecting and crossing plants to develop the diverse cultivars grown today. The species' natural vigor and beauty made it an early candidate for botanical improvement and hybridization, establishing it as one of the most beloved summer bloomers in American gardens.”