Phlox drummondii is a cheerful annual native to the grasslands of central and eastern Texas that has naturalized across much of the southeastern United States. Growing just 3 to 6 inches tall and spreading 6 to 12 inches wide, this compact flower produces fragrant, trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of rose-red arranged in clusters at stem tips. It flowers from April through July, thriving in hardiness zones 2 through 9, and tolerates both drought and clay soils while attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and birds to the garden.
9
Partial Sun
Moderate
2-9
6in H x 12in W
—
High
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The fragrance alone makes this worth growing: trumpet-shaped five-lobed flowers release their scent as the season progresses from spring into early summer. Deer leave it untouched, drought won't slow it down, and it adapts to challenging sites where other flowers struggle, from urban gardens to erosion-prone slopes. Low stature and spreading habit make it a natural ground cover, and it self-seeds readily when conditions suit it, returning year after year without replanting.
Phlox drummondii serves as a spring-flowering annual ground cover, naturalized in meadows and prairie-style plantings, and a low-growing accent in borders and rock gardens. Its compact, spreading habit and profuse blooms make it suitable for edging pathways, softening hardscapes in urban conditions, and filling gaps where heat and drought would exhaust more demanding perennials.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seed indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost date. No specific temperature or light requirements are detailed in the sources, though standard seed-starting conditions (warm soil, consistent moisture, and bright light after germination) apply. Transplant seedlings into individual containers when large enough to handle.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last spring frost date once soil has warmed. Harden off plants gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before permanent planting. Space transplants 8 inches apart.
Direct sow seed after the last spring frost date, though starting indoors allows earlier blooms and more control over plant placement.
Pinch the main stems of young plants to stimulate branching and create a bushier, more compact form. After flowering ends, cut back stems by approximately half to maintain form, promote denser growth, and encourage a possible second flush of blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly throughout the season to extend flowering.
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“Phlox drummondii originates from the open grasslands and woodland edges of central and eastern Texas, where it evolved to thrive in warm, sometimes dry conditions. The species name honors Thomas Drummond, a 19th-century Scottish botanist and plant collector who explored the American South. It escaped from cultivation and naturalized throughout southeastern roadsides, fields, and waste areas, becoming a familiar sight in American gardens and wild landscapes. The genus itself derives its name from the Greek word phlox, meaning 'flame,' a reference to the intense colors some varieties display.”