Plant of the Day: Phlox paniculata

An unknown Phlox paniculata, but very likely the cultivar 'Common Purple' introduced by Goodness Grows Nursery in GA.  Probably won't find that name in any catalogs, but it is available at local nurseries because it flowers its head off here in the Ireland Iris Garden and is heat- and mildew-resistant – which cannot be said about most other selections of this plant, of which there are many. Called tall phlox, or garden phlox, this selection blooms for almost two months in mid-summer. The species has broad range, north to New York and west to Mississippi, and has been recorded as native in AL (two counties).

-Fred Spicer, Executive Director