Zone 3 Flowers: Phlox

Description:  Phlox in bloom are a sight to behold, with masses of small, star-shaped, colorful flowers blanketing the plants. There are several types, the most common of which are spring-blooming creeping phlox and summer-blooming tall phlox.

Hardy: Zone 3

Bloom Time: Mid summer

Height: 6''-2' (depending on species)

Spacing: 1-2 feet apart

Sun Needs: Shade-full sun (depending on species) 

Water Needs: Medium

Outstanding Features: Attracts hummingbirds, attracts butterflies, easy care/low maintenance, multiplies readily, fragrant

Uses: Cut flowers, showy garden flowers

Tips (for care):  Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. As flowers fade, cut back old flower stems to encourage rebloom. Divide tall garden phlox every 2 to 3 years to promote vigor and minimize disease problems. After the first killing frost, cut stems on tall phlox back to an inch or two above soil line.

There are 67 species, including:

Phlox adsurgens Northern phlox, Periwinkle phlox, Woodland phlox Phlox alyssifolia Alyssumleaf phlox Phlox amplifolia Largeleaf phlox Phlox andicola Moss phlox, Plains phlox, Prairie phlox Phlox austromontana Mountain phlox Phlox bifida Cleft phlox Phlox borealis Phlox bryoides Phlox buckleyi Swordleaf phlox Phlox caespitosa Cushion phlox Phlox carolina Carolina phlox, Thickleaf phlox Phlox condensata Dwarf phlox Phlox cuspidata Pointed phlox Phlox diffusa Mat phlox, Spreading phlox Phlox divaricata Blue phlox, Woodland Phlox, Louisiana phlox, Sweet william Phlox dolichantha Big Bear Valley phlox Phlox douglasii Phlox drummondii Drummond phlox, Annual phlox Phlox floridana Florida phlox Phlox glaberrima Marsh phlox, Smooth phlox Phlox glabriflora Rio Grande phlox Phlox hirsuta Yreka phlox Phlox hoodii Carpet phlox, Spiny phlox Phlox idahonis Idaho phlox

Phlox kelseyi Kelsey's phlox Phlox latifolia Mountain phlox, Wideflower phlox Phlox longifolia Longleaf phlox Phlox maculata Meadow phlox, Phlox, Wild sweet William Phlox mesoleuca Threadleaf phlox Phlox missoulensis Missoula phlox Phlox mollis Soft phlox Phlox multiflora Flowery phlox, Rocky Mountain phlox Phlox nana Canyon phlox, Santa Fe phlox, White-eyed phlox Phlox nivalis Trailing phlox Phlox ovata Mountain phlox Phlox paniculata Garden Phlox, Fall phlox, Perennial phlox Phlox pilosa Downy phlox, Fragrant phlox, Prairie phlox Phlox pulchra Alabama phlox Phlox pulvinata Cushion phlox Phlox roemeriana Goldeneye phlox Phlox sibirica Siberian phlox Phlox speciosa Showy phlox, Woodhouse's phlox Phlox stansburyi Cold-desert phlox Phlox stolonifera Creeping phlox Phlox subulata Moss phlox, Rock pink Phlox tenuifolia Santa Catalina Mountain phlox