Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Eva Cullum')
Phlox paniculata 'Eva Cullum' offers fragrant, showy pink blooms with dark eyes, perfect for perennial borders in USDA Zones 4-8.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Garden phlox, particularly the cultivar Phlox paniculata ‘Eva Cullum’, is a celebrated staple in temperate perennial borders, known for providing substantial late-season color and fragrance. This upright perennial features stiff stems topped with dense, pyramidal clusters of flowers, making it a robust choice for mid-border placement. Phlox paniculata ‘Eva Cullum’ showcases richly colored pink florets accented by distinct dark pink eyes, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies throughout the summer months.
This selection of garden phlox offers a long bloom performance, typically running from July well into September, sometimes extending into early fall. While highly valued for its aesthetic contributions, successful cultivation requires attention to its cultural preferences, particularly maximizing air circulation to thwart common fungal issues. Providing the right conditions ensures that Phlox paniculata ‘Eva Cullum’ remains a reliable and fragrant backbone plant in your summer garden design.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Polemoniaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-2.5 ft
- Spread: 2-2.5 ft
- Bloom Time: July to September
- Bloom Description: Pink with dark pink eyes
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Plant Garden phlox in a location receiving full sun for the most vigorous bloom, though light shade is tolerated. It thrives in moderately fertile, well-drained soil enriched with plenty of organic matter, as it prefers rich, moist conditions. Ensure ample space between plants, as good air circulation is crucial for managing potential issues like powdery mildew, especially in humid climates.
Water consistently to maintain medium soil moisture; Phlox paniculata ‘Eva Cullum’ is intolerant of drought and will need supplemental watering during dry spells, though overhead watering should be avoided. Deadhead faded flower panicles to encourage prolonged blooming and to prevent unwanted self-seeding. A light summer mulch helps keep the crucial root zone cool and conserves moisture.
As winter approaches, hard cleanup is essential for managing disease carryover. Cut all stems back to the ground after the foliage yellows or freezes and thoroughly clean up all plant debris in the garden area. This preventative measure minimizes the chances of powdery mildew spores surviving to reinfect your Phlox paniculata in the following season.
Landscape Uses
Garden phlox serves as an essential vertical element, functioning perfectly as the background layer in mixed perennial borders where its height and long bloom time create sustained visual interest. Since it mixes well with a variety of other perennials, place it alongside shorter, late-season bloomers that can complement its height and textures as summer progresses into fall.
Due to its vibrant flower color and strong fragrance, Phlox paniculata ‘Eva Cullum’ is an excellent choice for designs intended to attract nectar-feeding wildlife. Incorporate it into pollinator gardens or near seating areas where its sweet scent can be fully appreciated during warm summer evenings. This tall garden phlox offers reliable structure throughout the season.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Phlox paniculata, commonly known as garden phlox, is native from New York to Iowa south to Georgia, Mississippi and Arkansas. It has escaped gardens and naturalized into areas beyond its original native range. ‘Eva Cullum’ is a striking garden phlox cultivar that typically grows to 2-3’ tall, featuring fragrant, pink flowers with dark pink eyes clustered densely in pyramidal panicles up to 12” long in mid to late summer.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Clay Soil
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
Phlox is not always an easy plant to grow well, primarily due to disease and pest pressures. Powdery mildew is highly common, especially in conditions lacking good air movement, and root rot can occur in overly saturated soil. Phlox bugs and spider mites, particularly during hot, dry periods, can also affect plant vigor and appearance.
Effective management relies heavily on cultural controls. Ensure proper spacing and thin dense stems early in the season to maximize air flow. Avoid overhead watering, and practice thorough sanitation by cutting all stems to the ground and removing debris in the autumn to reduce overwintering pathogens. Taller stems may require staking if they become floppy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Garden phlox suitable for?
Phlox paniculata ‘Eva Cullum’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Garden phlox grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a height between 2 and 2.5 feet and spreads 2 to 2.5 feet wide at maturity.
What sun exposure does Garden phlox need?
For best performance, provide full sun exposure, although it can tolerate light shade.
When does Garden phlox bloom?
This perennial features a long bloom time, generally lighting up the garden from July right through September.
Conclusion
Phlox paniculata ‘Eva Cullum’ remains a highly valuable inclusion in the summer landscape due to its vibrant, fragrant pink blooms and reliability in established perennial settings. By focusing on good soil preparation and ensuring adequate air circulation, you can successfully manage the common challenges associated with this classic Garden phlox. Before planting, confirm that your site conditions align with the USDA Zones 4-8 requirement for this magnificent summer performer.
Companion Planting
When designing the perennial border around Phlox paniculata ‘Eva Cullum’, select companions that appreciate similar medium moisture levels and rich soil. Plants that fill in the lower strata while the phlox provides vertical interest work wonderfully. Consider incorporating shorter, sun-loving companions like Astilboides (Astilboides tabularis) if partial shade is provided, or plants that bloom before or after the main phlox flush, such as Coreopsis or Rudbeckia, to maintain continuous interest.
Choosing companions that contrast in foliage texture also enhances the display of the broad leaves of the garden phlox. Fine-textured ornamental grasses or silvery foliage plants help break up the solid masses of color produced by competing perennials. Remember that good air movement benefits all, so avoid overcrowding neighbors, respecting the 2-foot spread requirement for Phlox paniculata.
Wildlife Benefits
The tubular flowers of Phlox paniculata ‘Eva Cullum’ are specifically structured to appeal to long-tongued pollinators. This intense floral display acts as a powerful magnet for butterflies, drawing them in to feed on the nectar-rich pink flowers. Providing this late-season food source is crucial for supporting insect populations as many other spring bloomers begin to fade.
Furthermore, the dense flower clusters attract hummingbirds, which are known visitors to any garden featuring tall garden phlox. Positioning your planting beds near observation points allows you to fully enjoy the activity this fragrant cultivar brings to the garden ecosystem throughout its peak months of July through September.
