Genus Phlox

Phlox Phlox paniculata 'David' Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Bluestone Perennials
floks
Phlox is a genus of about 70 species of North American (except for one) perennials, as well as a few annuals and shrubs. Their showy, sometimes fragrant, flowers are salverform or funnel-shaped with 5 flat petal lobes at the end. Growth habits vary from mat- and cushion-forming to trailing to tall and erect. Various species are useful as groundcover, in beds or borders, in the rock garden, or as edging.  
Noteworthy characteristics: All species except for one are from North America. Flowers are 5-petal lobed and are sometimes fragrant.
Care: Annuals prefer any fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Growth requirements of the perennials and shrubs vary by species. Tall cultivars need staking.
Propagation: Sow seed of annuals at 55° to 64°F in early spring; sow seed of perennials in containers in a cold frame when ripe or in spring. Some species can be divided. Take basal cuttings in spring, root cuttings in early autumn or winter, and softwood cuttings of cushion-forming perennials in spring. For the trailing perennials, detach rooted stem pieces in spring or fall.
Problems: Powdery mildew, stem canker, rust, Southern blight, stem nematodes, leaf spots, leaf miners, caterpillars.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Phlox

Phlox divaricata 'Blue Moon' Phlox divaricata 'Blue Moon'
(Blue phlox, Wild sweet William, Woodland phlox)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This cultivar of the popular blue phlox has round, full flowers with overlapping petals. It is noteworthy for its particularly rich blue-violet color. Use it in rock gardens or alpine houses, in a dry wall, or as edging.

Phlox divaricata 'Clouds of Perfume' Phlox divaricata 'Clouds of Perfume'
(Blue phlox, Wild sweet William, Woodland phlox)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This is a very fragrant native woodland phlox with powder-blue flowers in spring. Reaching only 1 foot tall, it can spread to almost 2 feet and makes an attractive groundcover under shrubs or planted with other spring-blooming wildflowers. Leaves are semi-evergreen and hairy; stems root along their length. The blue flowers are salverform with petal lobes. This plant attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Phlox divaricata and cvs.
(Blue phlox, Wild sweet William, Woodland phlox)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This spreading, semi-evergreen perennial has hairy leaves and lavender-blue to pale violet and white flowers borne in open clusters in early spring. Flowers can have notched or unnotched petal lobes. Cultivars include ‘Clouds of Perfume’ with light lavender-blue flowers; ‘Eco Texas Purple’ (dark purple with a violet eye); ‘Fuller’s White’ (white); and ‘London Grove’ (lavender-blue flowers).

Phlox maculata
(Meadow phlox, Wild sweet William)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This upright, herbaceous perennial has slender, hairy stems reaching 1.5 to 3 feet tall, with clusters of lavender-rose, lilac-pink, or white flowers. The stems often have burgundy spots on them. Blooms appear in early summer and midsummer.

Phlox paniculata Phlox paniculata
(Garden phlox, Perennial phlox)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This sturdy, upright perennial reaches 2 to 4 feet tall. In July and August, and through September with deadheading, it bears flowers in shades of white, coral, pink, red, lavender, and violet, depending on the cultivar. Some have a lighter or darker eye, and others have variegated leaves. Many of the cultivars are fragrant; scent is most noticeable at night.

Phlox paniculata 'David' Phlox paniculata 'David'
(Border phlox, Summer phlox)
(26 user reviews)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This pure white phlox is valuable in the garden because of its abundant, fragrant flowers, its sturdy growth habit, and its resistance to powdery mildew. Growing to about 3 ½ feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, it blooms from early summer to early fall. It needs a consistently moist soil. Use it in a border or cottage garden. It will glow at dusk.

Phlox stolonifera Phlox stolonifera
(Creeping phlox)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A dense, vigorous, mat-forming ground cover, creeping phlox has short flower stems from 3 to 12 inches tall. The flowers can be pale lavender-blue, rose-pink, medium violet, or white, with unnotched petals and a yellow center.

Phlox subulata Phlox subulata
(Moss phlox)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Moss phlox is a dense ground cover blanketed with notch-petaled flowers in April and May. Blooms can be muddy hot pink, bright rose, and magenta, while other cultivars include white, soft lavender-blue, clear pale pink to deep pink, clear scarlet, and lavender, some with a darker or lighter eye. Evergreen foliage is narrow, short, and stiff. Darker-flowered forms have dark-green leaves or red-tinged leaves that darken to burgundy in winter.