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Garden phlox: when to plant and care

Pick mildew-resistant cultivars and give air flow.

Botanical namePhlox paniculata
Typeperennial
USDA zones4–8
Sunfull sun
Watermoderate
Bloomsummer
Mature size2–4 ft
Planting timeSpring after the last frost, or early fall
Garden phlox in lilac and purple flower clusters
Photo: Niccolò Caranti, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gives roots several weeks to settle before heat or freeze.

Example dates

PlaceDates
Austin, TX (78701)spring: Mar 10–Apr 21; fall: Sep 22–Oct 13
Atlanta, GA (30303)spring: Mar 24–May 5; fall: Sep 13–Oct 4
St. Louis, MO (63101)spring: Apr 1–May 13; fall: Sep 9–30
Chicago, IL (60614)spring: Apr 10–May 22; fall: Sep 10–Oct 1
Denver, CO (80202)spring: Apr 30–Jun 11; fall: Aug 17–Sep 7
Seattle, WA (98101)spring: Mar 13–Apr 24; fall: Sep 22–Oct 13

Every ZIP page has its own dates. Find your ZIP.

State plant programs

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Sources

Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.

All plant guides