Phlox plants are some of our favorite flowers. We love the color combinations and how so many of them bloom throughout the spring and summer!We have noticed that there are many different kinds of phlox plants out there. Some are annuals and others are perennials. Annual phlox plants are short-lived and die after blooming once.
They’re great for cutting and arranging into bouquets. Some are native to the United States and others are non-native. Different types of Phlox plants prefer different climates.
There are 67 different species of Phlox plant worldwide, so we don’t have time to talk about them all today. But, here’s what we found out about some of the most popular phlox plant species.
1. Jubilee Phlox (Phlox Paniculata ‘Jubilee’)
If you want a phlox plant that will last through the winter months, choose this perennial variety. These plants can be grown in containers or planted directly in your garden.
If you have a garden with plenty of space for tall plants, this Phlox will be perfect for you but you will need to take precautions to prevent powdery mildew disease.
2. Woodland Phlox (Phlox Divaricata)
If you’re looking for a long-lasting, low-maintenance phlox plant, look no further than the Woodland Phlox. You’ll enjoy their beauty year-round because they are perennial plants. They prefer to grow in partially shaded conditions which is why they can often be seen growing around the bases of trees.
3. Trailing Phlox (Phlox Nivalis)
Trailing Phlox is a perennial Phlox plant that blooms in the summer. The best way to care for these phlox plants is to keep them well-watered during the summer months while using well-draining soil and allowing the soil to dry in between. This plant makes the perfect decoration for a rock garden!
4. David Phlox (Phlox Paniculata ‘David’)
While many Phlox plants do not fare well in full fun, David Flox is able to tolerate sunny conditions quite well as long as it is grown in moist soil. David Phlox is unique because it is especially fragrant and its beautiful white petals are resistant to mildew, making for a healthy addition to your garden.
5. Smooth Phlox (Phlox Glaberina)
The Smooth Phlox is one of the easiest varieties to grow from seed. It has a compact growth habit, meaning that it grows very small and does not spread too far. It also has a nice fragrance when cut. So, while you can easily grow them outdoors, they also make lovely bouquets for inside the home.
6. Phlox Of Sheep (Phlox Drummondii)
This Phlox plant is an excellent choice if you live in a cold climate where you’d like to grow a phlox plant indoors. It’s easy to grow from seed and requires little maintenance. Its light-colored blossoms (often a pastel color) make perfect decorations for weddings. These plants also grow annually.
7. Opening Act Bush Phlox (Phlox ‘Opening Act Bush’)
These phlox plants are ideal for those who love to arrange flowers. They bloom early before other Phlox plants begin to flower. Their purple blooms add some cheer to any room and they are easy to grow from seed. This plant grows in clumps up to 20 inches in height.
8. Grace Phlox (Phlox Paniculata ‘Grace’)
You may think that this is just another common Phlox plant but there is more to it than meets the eye. This particular Phlox plant was given the name “Grace” by the author of the book, “A Garden of Herbs”. Grace Phlox usually produces pink or lavender blooms and it is a perennial, evergreen plant.
9. Carolina Phlox (Phlox Carolina)
Planting Carolina Phlox near a south-facing wall in your garden will help ensure that you get lots of sun exposure throughout the day, which is important for this species. While they do require some shade in the morning hours, once the sunlight increases in strength, they tend to thrive.
10. Creeping Phlox (Phlox Stolonifera)
When looking for a variety of Phlox plants, consider a creeping type such as the Creeping Phlox. Unlike most types of Phlox, which grow upright, creeping Phloxes grow along the ground with stems that arch over instead of growing straight upwards.
The best thing about this kind of plant is that it doesn’t need much water or fertilizer; it simply needs to be watered regularly.
11. Flame Pink Phlox (Phlox Paniculata ‘Bartwelve’)
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant, then Flame Pink Phlox might be right for you. It’s a great choice for beginners because it’s easy to grow and tolerates poor soil conditions.
Once established, it can withstand drought conditions. This particular type of Phlox plant has soft green foliage and its blossoms are bright pink.
12. Laura Phlox (Phlox Paniculata ‘Laura’)
One of the finest varieties of Phlox plants available, the Laura Phlox is known for its sweet fragrance. It’s also very hardy, making it suitable for outdoor gardens. However, Laura Phlox tends to suffer from frost damage. Therefore, it’s important to think about placement and protective measures.
13. Red Magic Phlox (Phlox Paniculata ‘Red Magic’)
Another popular choice among gardeners, the Red Magic Phlox is extremely vigorous and fast-growing. Its flowers are a purple-red color that will draw attention to your garden or your home decor.
When grown outdoors, the Red Magic Phylox should have at least five feet between rows because of how quickly it spreads.
14. Meadow Phlox (Phlox Maculata)
The meadow Phlox is a favorite choice when it comes to Phlox plants. With its long flowering season, it’s one of the earliest varieties of Phlox. Meadows Phlox is also very resilient and tolerant of dry conditions. Although it does prefer full sun, it can adapt well to partial shade.
15. Bright Eyes Phlox (Phlox Paniculata ‘Bright Eyes’)
This variety of Phlox is similar to the Meadow Phlox, except that it has larger pink blooms. Like many Phlox plants, these are perfect for adding beauty to any area. You’ll want to keep an eye out for spider mites, though, because if left untreated, these pests could kill your entire crop.
16. Prairie Phlox (Phlox Pilosa)
Also called prairie phlox, Phlox pilosa grows up to four feet tall and thrives in warm climates. If you’re growing this type of Phlox outside, you’ll probably want to give it plenty of room. Because it’s a perennial, you won’t need to worry about replanting it every year.
17. Moss Phlox (Phlox Subulata)
With its soft green leaves, the moss Phlox looks like a miniature version of the original Phlox Plant. This type of Phlox likes moist, shaded locations, but it can tolerate both full sun and partial shade. It’s also a good choice for people who live in cold weather areas that get a fair amount of rain.
18. Swordleaf Phlox (Phlox Buckleyi)
A tough little Phlox plant with pointed leaves, Swordleaf Phlox is usually found in shady spots, but it can also thrive in only partial shade. As it matures, it develops small flowers on top of its green foliage.
Each flower lasts less than a week, which makes it a good choice for cutting. The fact that it doesn’t require much care means that it’s ideal for beginners.
19. Tufted Phlox (Phlox Douglasii)
This particular variety of Phlox plant produces large clusters of lavender-blue flowers that look great in hanging baskets or window boxes. It’s not as easy to grow as some other types of Phlox and requires a lot of water during the summer months.
Related: 21 Types Of Fuchsia Plants & Reasons Why Fuchsia Plants Are So Popular (With Pictures)
20. Yreka Phlox (Phlox Hirsuta)
This is a beautiful variety of Phlox that offers pink blooms throughout the spring and early summer. It’s often used as a cut flower but it can also be enjoyed for its pretty foliage.
21. Violetta Gloriosa Phlox (Phlox Paniculata ‘Violetta Gloriosa’)
This purple-flowering Phlox plant blooms between July and September. The plants can grow up to a meter in height helping them look impressive in any garden design. This plant is a herbaceous perennial so it grows back each year.
22. Showy Phlox (Phlox Speciosa)
The clusters of pink flowers that bloom from the Showy Phlox allow this plant to live up to its name. However, when the plant is not flowering, it looks quite unassuming.
23. Wideflower Phlox (Phlox Ovata)
The Wideflower Phlox is also known as Mountain Phlox is a small and dainty plant that usually grows a single flower on one stem, each of which usually has three leaves. This is an evergreen creeping plant
24. Starfire Phlox (Phlox Paniculata ‘Starfire’)
Starfire Phlox is incredibly striking to look at, so if you’re planning on making a botanical statement in your garden, this is the Phlox plant we would recommend.
If the bright, cherry-red blooms weren’t enough to convince you, this Phlox might even attract hummingbirds to your garden, along with butterflies!
25. Hood’s Phlox (Phlox Hoodii)
Hood’s Phlox produces tiny white blooms and has a base of herbage instead of foliage. Before the flowers come through, it resembles moss.
Final Thoughts
There are so many different types of Phlox plants available, and each one has something unique to offer. Many of them can adapt well to partial shade, but some are more drought-resistant than others. All of them, however, will make the perfect accentuation to your garden landscape or home decor.
