Ah, Annual Phlox. A fine choice for the garden.

All plants Card

Annual Phlox

Phlox drummondii

Zones 7–13

Growing

To enjoy a continuous display of fragrant, star-shaped blooms, sow your seeds directly into the garden where they will grow, as this species prefers not to be transplanted. Because these plants are susceptible to drought and heat, ensure they receive regular watering and are situated in a spot that is not waterlogged. This annual is a wonderful addition to containers or garden beds, especially when you want to invite pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds into your landscape.

The flowers come in a stunning spectrum of colors, ranging from white and cream through various shades of pink, lilac, rose, and purple, even reaching toward almost black. To keep the plant looking tidy and to encourage reblooming throughout the warm season, practice regular deadheading by removing spent blossoms. This simple maintenance helps the plant focus its energy on new flower production rather than seed production.

As the season progresses, the plant may spread on its own by dropping its own seeds. While the single upright stems are naturally sturdy, you can enjoy them as beautiful cut flowers in your home. Just keep an eye on the soil moisture, as consistent hydration is key to preventing the plant from wilting during periods of intense heat.

Stats
Sunfull sun
Watermedium
Grow time—
Height1–3ft
Spacing6–12in
Light
Full sun✓
Part shade✓
Shade✗
Traits
Life cycleannual
Categorygarden annual
Growth habitupright
Seasonwarm
Frost tolerancehalf hardy
Height1–3ft
Spacing6–12in
Days to bloomunder 45
Native us✓
Growing
Watermedium
Drainagewell drained
Soil ph min—
Soil ph max—
Propagation
Seed✓
Cutting✗
Division✗
Graft✗
Tuber bulb crown✗
Transplant✗
Container ok✓
Spreadself seeds
Deer resistant✓
Drought tolerant✗
Pollinator friendly✓
Toxic to
People—
Pets—
Livestock—
Bloom
Length6–12wk
Colors
White✓
Yellow✗
Orange✗
Red✓
Pink✓
Purple✓
Blue✗
Green✗
Fragrant✓
Reblooms✓
Deadhead✓
Cut flower✓
Dried flower✗
Invasive
Statusnone
Regions
Northeast✗
Southeast✗
Midwest✗
Plains✗
Southwest✗
Mountain west✗
Pacific northwest✗
California✗
Hawaii✗
State noxious✗
Escapes cultivation✗
Pollinators
Visitors
Honey bees✓
Native bees✓
Bumblebees✓
Butterflies✓
Moths✓
Hummingbirds✓
Beneficial insects✓
Nectarmedium
Pollenmedium
Larval host✓
Specialist bees✗
Seed for birds✓
Calendar, zone 7
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sownononoyesyesnonononononono
Harvest————————————