The Sweet Fragrance Of Phlox: Do They All Smell Good?

Phlox is a fragrant flowering plant native to the eastern states of the US. It is a popular choice for gardeners due to its colourful and sweet-smelling blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and birds. The plant typically grows in summer and fall, with densely packed flowers that bloom for about two months. While some varieties of phlox have lost their fragrance due to hybridization, others, such as the 'Bright Eyes' and 'David' cultivars, are known for their strong scent. Phlox is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in full sun or partial shade and is resistant to mildew and deer.

Phlox 'Bright Eyes' is a fragrant variety with huge pink florets and scarlet centres

Phlox is a colourful and fragrant flower that can add beauty to any garden. While there are many varieties of phlox, 'Bright Eyes' stands out for its unique characteristics.

Phlox 'Bright Eyes' is an old-fashioned variety known for its stunning visual appeal and delightful fragrance. This variety boasts huge pink florets with scarlet centres, creating a striking contrast that is sure to catch anyone's eye. The florets are pale pink with a crimson or deep magenta eye, adding a touch of elegance to the overall appearance.

The 'Bright Eyes' variety is a long-lasting perennial, blooming from mid-summer through fall. It is easy to grow and perfect for any garden, especially those seeking to attract pollinators and wildlife. The strong stems of this phlox variety rarely need staking, and the flowers make excellent cut flowers for bouquets and vases.

In addition to its beauty, the 'Bright Eyes' phlox is also known for its delightful fragrance. The flowers emit a subtle, sweet, and delicious perfume that fills the air and attracts bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. This variety has retained the enchanting fragrance of native garden phlox, making it a favourite among gardeners who appreciate both visual and olfactory delights.

Phlox 'Bright Eyes' is a versatile plant that thrives in full sun to half sun/half shade conditions. It is a low-maintenance plant, native to North America, and can be found in various habitats, including woodlands, meadows, and rocky alpine areas. With its upright growth habit, 'Bright Eyes' produces generous flower clusters, adding weeks of colour and fragrance to gardens in summer and fall.

Phlox 'David' is a mildew-resistant, award-winning white cultivar

Phlox is a colourful, sweet-smelling flower that blooms exuberantly in the summer. Among the many varieties of phlox, 'David' is a cultivar that stands out for its beauty and resilience. Phlox 'David' is a mildew-resistant, award-winning white cultivar that is a favourite among gardeners. It is an herbaceous perennial phlox with fragrant, showy white flowers that form large clusters. These blooms are not only visually appealing but also emit a delightful fragrance, making it a true sensory delight.

Phlox 'David' is known for its large clusters of bright white flowers that stand out against its mildew-resistant foliage. This cultivar is vigorous and sturdy, with strong, upright stems that rarely need staking. The blooms are long-lasting and, with proper care, can even continue into the fall season. Phlox 'David' is a great choice for gardeners who want to enjoy a vibrant display of flowers throughout the summer and beyond.

To ensure the best results, Phlox 'David' should be planted in full sun and consistently moist, well-drained soil. It thrives in fertile conditions and benefits from regular watering and fertilisation throughout the growing season. Proper spacing is also important to prevent the development of powdery mildew, a common issue for this variety. By removing faded flowers, you can prevent self-seeding and encourage the plant to bloom repeatedly.

Phlox 'David' is a worthy addition to any garden, offering both beauty and resilience. Its pure white flowers and pleasant fragrance make it a standout choice for garden borders or as a picking flower for floral arrangements. With its mildew resistance and ability to thrive in various conditions, Phlox 'David' is a low-maintenance option that will bring lasting beauty to your outdoor space.

Phlox 'David' has earned its reputation as an award-winning cultivar. In 2002, it was chosen as the Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association, recognising its exceptional qualities. This cultivar is also known for its hardiness, making it a robust and dependable choice for gardens. Phlox 'David' is a true standout among phlox varieties, offering both visual appeal and a delightful fragrance.

Phlox divaricata 'Clouds of Perfume' is a tricky-to-grow but worthwhile variety with lilac-blue flowers

Phlox is a colourful, sweet-smelling flower that blooms exuberantly in the summer. There are many varieties of phlox, including tall and low species. The Phlox divaricata 'Clouds of Perfume' is a tricky-to-grow but worthwhile variety with lilac-blue flowers.

The Phlox divaricata 'Clouds of Perfume' is a semi-evergreen perennial that grows to about 30-35cm in height. It has trailing, rooting stems, hairy oval leaves, and loose clusters of fragrant, pale lavender-blue flowers that are about 2-3cm across. These flowers appear in early summer, usually in June and July, and are ideal for woodland gardens and cottage-style schemes. The plant prefers moist, well-drained, neutral to acidic soil and partial shade, as too much sun during the hottest part of the day can lead to powdery mildew.

To make the most of their heady scent, it is recommended to plant them near an entranceway or frequently used path. Phlox divaricata 'Clouds of Perfume' is generally pest-free, although it may be susceptible to grazing by rabbits. It is also susceptible to powdery mildew and leaf spot. This variety of phlox is ideal for growing in large clumps at the edge of a border or beneath deciduous trees.

Phlox attracts bees, butterflies and birds with its sweet scent

Phlox is a vibrant and fragrant flower that attracts bees, butterflies, and birds with its sweet scent. This colourful flower is native to the rich thickets of the eastern states in the US and is a great addition to any garden. With its stunning pink, purple, or white blooms, phlox not only adds beauty to your garden but also attracts multiple pollinators.

The scientific name for phlox is Phlox paniculata, and it typically grows in zones 4 to 8. Phlox prefers full sun but can also thrive in partial shade. It grows to a height of 2 to 4 feet and spreads almost as wide. The densely packed flowers usually appear in July and continue blooming for about two months until early fall.

Phlox has a range of varieties, from tall garden phlox to low-growing species like Phlox subulata, which is perfect for ground cover. The tall varieties can be cut back to a third of their height before the longest day to keep them more compact and delay flowering. Phlox loves the sun but can also grow in half-shade.

When it comes to fragrance, phlox has a lovely sweet floral scent. In fact, the most fragrant phlox varieties are often the ones bred from old-fashioned, untouched healthy stock. Cultivars like 'Bright Eyes' and 'David' are known for their strong fragrance, mildew resistance, and stunning appearance.

Whether you're creating colour blocks or picking a single plant as an accent, phlox will enhance the beauty of your garden and attract bees, butterflies, and birds with its sweet fragrance. So, if you're looking to boost the atmosphere of your outdoor space, phlox is an excellent choice.

Phlox is a colourful addition to any garden, with varieties in pink, purple, red, orchid, lavender and white

Phlox is a vibrant and fragrant addition to any garden, with a variety of colours including pink, purple, red, orchid, lavender, and white. These flowers are a great way to add a pop of colour to your garden and attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Phlox is a genus of about 68 species of flowering plants native to North America, with one species found in Siberia. They are herbaceous annuals or perennials, typically with oval or linear leaves, and produce clusters of star-shaped flowers. The name "phlox" comes from the Greek word for "flame," reflecting the bright colours of the flowers.

The two primary growth habits of phlox are upright or creeping. Spring-blooming creeping phlox, such as Phlox subulata, is perfect for ground cover in rock gardens or woodland settings. On the other hand, tall garden phlox, including Phlox paniculata, will brighten any border with their cheerful early summer flowers.

Phlox paniculata, commonly known as garden phlox, is a beloved garden classic that showcases fragrant and vibrant blooms in an array of colours. It typically grows to a height of 2 to 4 feet and is an excellent choice for perennial borders. Its long stems and beautiful flower clusters also make it a favourite for cut flower arrangements.

If you're looking for a shorter variety, Phlox subulata, or moss phlox, forms dense mats about 4 to 6 inches tall with needle-like leaves. It thrives in sunny locations and is often used as a colourful ground cover, especially in rock gardens.

Phlox divaricata, or woodland phlox, is a shade-tolerant species that grows to about 12 to 18 inches tall. It produces fragrant, lavender-blue flowers and thrives in partial sun to dappled shade.

With their stunning colours, delightful fragrance, and ease of cultivation, phlox is a popular choice for gardeners. Whether you're looking for a tall, dramatic border or a colourful ground cover, there's a phlox variety that will suit your garden's needs.

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