Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Shortwood')

Overview

Garden phlox, specifically the cultivar Phlox paniculata ‘Shortwood’, is an essential component for vibrant mid-to-late season perennial beds. This upright perennial is valued for its strongly fragrant, showy blooms and reliable clumping habit, rarely requiring staking due to its stiff stems. Phlox paniculata ‘Shortwood’ produces clusters of pink flowers accented with a dark eye, ensuring excellent visibility and drawing in pollinators throughout the summer.

This variety offers a long season of interest, typically peaking from July through September, making it indispensable for maintaining color when many spring bloomers fade. While native to eastern North America, this garden phlox cultivar adapts well to many gardens, provided its cultural needs for good air circulation and consistent moisture are met.

As the genus name suggests, phlox means “flame,” referencing the intense flower colors often found in garden phlox varieties. Planting Phlox paniculata ‘Shortwood’ strategically ensures you benefit from its height, scent, and ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the summer garden.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Polemoniaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 3-4 ft
  • Spread: 2-3 ft
• Bloom Time: July to September
• Bloom Description: Pink with dark eye
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Medium

How to Grow

Start your Phlox paniculata ‘Shortwood’ by planting in the spring or fall in a location that receives full sun for the best flowering, though light shade is tolerated. This garden phlox performs best in moderately fertile, medium-moisture, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. It particularly appreciates protection from the intense heat found in very hot and humid climates.

Watering should be consistent; this plant is intolerant of drought and requires supplemental watering during dry spells, though overhead watering should be avoided to mitigate disease risk. Applying a layer of summer mulch helps keep the root zone cool and conserves moisture. Prune faded flower panicles lightly to encourage slightly longer blooming, but avoid extensive deadheading if you desire natural reseeding.

Crucially, good air circulation is vital for preventing common issues like powdery mildew. When planting, space your garden phlox adequately, and consider strategically thinning out some inner stems later in the season if the plant appears overly dense. For winter preparation, cut the entire plant down to the ground after the foliage dies back and thoroughly clean up all debris to reduce potential fungal spores for the next season.

Landscape Uses

Garden phlox is a true staple of the traditional perennial border, providing necessary vertical structure and bold summer color. Phlox paniculata ‘Shortwood’ mixes beautifully with later-blooming perennials like Asters and Sedum, creating layered interest that lasts well into fall. Its height (3-4 feet) makes it excellent for the middle or back ranks of a mixed border.

Because the flowers of Phlox paniculata ‘Shortwood’ are highly attractive to native wildlife, it is a superb choice for ecological or bird gardens. Integrating this fragrant perennial alongside taller ornamental grasses helps soften the edges of the perennial planting while offering a contrast in texture. It also performs admirably when used as a mass planting rather than as a single specimen, creating sweeping drifts of pink color.

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 on stiff stems clad with conspicuously veined, opposite, pointed, elliptic, deep green leaves. Fragrant, tubular florets are densely packed in large, tiered, domed terminal clusters over a long July to September bloom period, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. ‘Shortwood’ is a garden phlox cultivar which typically grows to 3-4’ tall, featuring pink flowers with dark eyes, and provides good fresh cut flower material.

Tolerances

• Deer
• Clay Soil
• Black Walnut

Potential Problems

Phlox is not always an easy plant to grow well in all conditions. The main threats to this garden phlox include phlox bugs, powdery mildew, and root rot, while spider mites can flare up during hot, dry conditions. Consistent, deep watering helps prevent drought stress which can encourage mite outbreaks.

To manage powdery mildew, ensure excellent air circulation by spacing plants properly and thinning interior growth out in spring; also, avoid overhead watering when possible. For winter hygiene, removing all spent plant material is critical to reducing overwintering fungal spores. If stems become too tall or flop unattractively, they may need occasional staking for support, although ‘Shortwood’ is generally stiff-stemmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Garden phlox suitable for?

This variety of Garden phlox, Phlox paniculata ‘Shortwood’, is typically hardy and reliably perennial in USDA Zones 4 through 8.

How large does Garden phlox grow?

A mature Phlox paniculata ‘Shortwood’ will generally reach a height between 3 and 4 feet tall, spreading across 2 to 3 feet wide.

What sun exposure does Garden phlox need?

For optimal blooming and health, Garden phlox performs best when situated in full sun, though it can tolerate part shade conditions.

When does Garden phlox bloom?

This cultivar provides beautiful color from mid-summer well into the fall, generally blooming from July through September with showy pink flowers that have a distinct dark eye.

Conclusion

Phlox paniculata ‘Shortwood’ remains a cornerstone plant due to its showy stature, delightful fragrance, and reliability in the long summer garden. For gardeners seeking sustained late-season color and pollinator support, few plants rival the impact of healthy Garden phlox. Before planting, ensure your site offers rich soil and adequate air circulation, and always check that your location falls within USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8.

Companion Planting

Selecting appropriate neighbors is key to ensuring the success of Phlox paniculata ‘Shortwood’, especially concerning air circulation and moisture needs. Companion plants that mature later in the season work best, as they do not overcrowd the phlox foliage early in the year, thereby maintaining airflow around the base. Good partners for this garden phlox include plants with contrasting foliage textures, such as ornamental grasses or tall Coneflowers (Echinacea).

For color harmony, consider pairing the pink blooms of this variety with blues or purples, such as Asters or tall Salvias. Since phlox prefers consistent moisture, choose companions that share similar medium water requirements; avoid plants that demand extremely dry conditions, as these would compete for water unevenly or require more fertilizer than the phlox prefers.

Wildlife Benefits

The abundant flower clusters of Phlox paniculata ‘Shortwood’ are a significant nectar source during the peak of the summer season, providing critical fuel for migrating butterflies and local pollinator populations. The tubular shape of the individual flowers is perfectly suited for hummingbirds, which frequently visit these blooms throughout the day.

By incorporating this Garden phlox into your design, you actively support local ecosystems, transforming your border into a dynamic feeding station for beneficial insects. Its long bloom period, spanning July into September, helps bridge the floral gap between early summer bloomers and true fall natives.