Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Mount Fuji')
Phlox paniculata 'Mount Fuji' offers fragrant, showy white flowers from July to September. This Garden phlox is deer resistant and thrives in zones 3-8.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Phlox paniculata ‘Mount Fuji’ is a highly valued cultivar of Garden phlox, celebrated for its upright habit and abundant summer blooms. This variety produces large, tiered panicles of wonderfully fragrant, pure white flowers, making it a spectacular addition to any late-season garden setting. As an herbaceous perennial, it provides reliable vertical interest year after year in the landscape.
This reliable selection of Phlox paniculata thrives best in full sun, though it can tolerate light afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates. Garden phlox requires consistent moisture and rich soil to perform optimally, but gardeners must prioritize good air circulation to maintain its health throughout the blooming period. The striking flower display of Phlox paniculata ‘Mount Fuji’ reliably attracts pollinators.
This plant grows to a mature height of 3 to 4 feet, offering substantial structure to perennial borders. Its intense floral display is one of the finest provided by mid to late-summer flowering perennials, ensuring color well into the fall season. Proper cultural care ensures healthy masses of white blooms from Phlox paniculata ‘Mount Fuji’.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Polemoniaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Spread: 1.5-2 ft
- Bloom Time: July to September
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Garden phlox where it receives full sun is ideal, though light afternoon shade is permissible. This plant performs best in moderately fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Planting should occur in a location that allows for sufficient space between plants, promoting the essential good air circulation needed to keep foliage healthy and deter fungal issues.
Maintain growth by providing medium water, especially during dry spells, as this species is intolerant of drought. Avoid overhead watering whenever possible; instead, water deeply at the base of the plant. Applying a summer mulch will help keep the root zone cool and conserve soil moisture. Minimal feeding is typically needed if soil is rich, but avoid over-fertilizing, which can encourage floppy growth.
Good air circulation is vital for managing powdery mildew. Space plants appropriately and consider thinning out some central stems early in the season to improve air flow. After the main flush of bloom, remove faded flower panicles to prolong the overall bloom period and prevent unwanted self-seeding. For winter preparation, cut the stems down to the ground after the foliage dies back and ensure all spent plant debris is removed from the garden area to minimize disease carryover into next season.
Landscape Uses
Garden phlox is a foundation plant, considered a staple for achieving lasting color in the traditional perennial border. The impressive height and bold flower clusters of Phlox paniculata ‘Mount Fuji’ make it perfect for the middle or back divisions of a layered planting scheme. It mixes seamlessly with later-blooming perennials that prefer similar sun and moisture requirements, creating a rich tapestry of texture and form.
Consider using this white-flowering variety near seating areas to fully appreciate the fragrance of the blossoms in the evening. This Garden phlox is outstanding in cottage garden designs where mass plantings are encouraged. Furthermore, the nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, making it an excellent selection for an enhanced wildlife or pollinator garden.
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. This is an upright perennial that grows in a clump to 2-4’ tall and to 2-3’ wide on stiff stems clad with conspicuously veined, opposite, pointed, elliptic, deep green leaves. Fragrant, tubular, pink-purple to white florets are densely packed in large, tiered, domed terminal clusters over a long July to September bloom period, which butterflies and hummingbirds love. The cultivar ‘Mount Fuji’ produces aromatic, white, tubular, 5-lobed flowers appearing in large, terminal, pyramidal panicles atop stiff, upright stems which seldom need staking.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Clay Soil
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
Phlox is not always an easy plant to grow well, with common challenges including pests and fungal diseases. Phlox bugs, powdery mildew, and root rot can become serious problems requiring vigilance from the gardener. Spider mites can also be problematic, especially when temperatures are hot and conditions are dry, stressing the plants.
Management focuses heavily on preventative care, especially regarding powdery mildew on Garden phlox. Ensure excellent air circulation by spacing plants correctly and perhaps thinning stems during growth. If mildew develops, avoid overhead watering and promptly clean up all plant debris in the fall. While taller stems may occasionally require staking for support, newer cultivars are often bred for better natural resistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Garden phlox suitable for?
Phlox paniculata ‘Mount Fuji’ is highly adaptable, thriving in a wide range from USDA Zones 3 through 8.
How large does Phlox paniculata ‘Mount Fuji’ grow?
This perennial typically reaches a height between 3 and 4 feet tall, with a spread ranging from 1.5 to 2 feet wide.
When does Garden phlox bloom?
This variety offers a long bloom period starting in July and continuing through September, bearing attractive white flowers.
What sun exposure does Phlox paniculata ‘Mount Fuji’ need?
For the best flowering performance and to help reduce disease risk, this plant performs best in full sun, though it tolerates conditions ranging to part shade.
Conclusion
Phlox paniculata ‘Mount Fuji’ remains a cornerstone of the summer garden due to its significant height, long bloom time, and lovely fragrance. Successfully growing this dependable white-flowering Garden phlox relies on ensuring good cultural conditions, particularly excellent air movement and consistent moisture. Check your local USDA zone compatibility and plan your planting for maximum late-summer impact.
Companion Planting
Companion planting near Garden phlox should focus on species that share similar needs for sun and medium, moist soil, helping to create a cohesive microclimate in the border. Plants that offer contrasting foliage shapes, such as fine-textured ornamental grasses or broad-leaved hostas planted at the base to shade the soil, work exceptionally well. Good neighbors include sturdy perennials like coneflowers (Echinacea), black snakeroots (Actaea), or obedient plants (Physostegia), which also bloom concurrently and can help disguise the lower stems of the phlox.
Wildlife Benefits
The abundant, nectar-rich flowers of Garden phlox are a major draw for beneficial insects throughout the warm months. Hummingbirds are frequently observed visiting the long, tubular florets of Phlox paniculata ‘Mount Fuji’, seeking sustenance. Planting this variety creates significant vertical impact while simultaneously providing a critical late-season forage resource for butterflies preparing for migration or overwintering.
