Phlox Center of Attention™

Phlox Center of Attention™: Raspberry-Eyed Phlox That Stays Compact

Soft pink petals with bold raspberry centres, on a compact, sturdy plant. This phlox is literally named after its favourite place to be: THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Phlox paniculata 'Balphlxpin290'
• Common Name: Garden Phlox
• Series: Bloomin' Easy®
• Height: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Spread: 35–40 cm (14–16 in)
• Flowers: Soft pink with bold raspberry-pink centres, in rounded clusters
• Bloom Time: Late spring to midsummer (June to August)
• Foliage: Deep green on sturdy, upright stems
• Features: Compact and upright, disease resistant, good for cutting

Where to Plant: Its compact size fits the front or middle of a sunny border, cottage gardens and large containers. It brings classic phlox colour to smaller gardens where tall varieties would flop or crowd, and a few stems make a small summer bouquet.

Companion Plants: Plant Center of Attention™ in a sunny or part-shade bed with deep pink spikes, a red peony and peach crocosmia. Veronica 'Pink Candles' edges the front with deep pink spikes at 20 to 25 cm from June to August. Paeonia 'Karl Rosenfield' opens deep red double peonies at 80 to 90 cm in May and June. Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie' adds orange and mahogany flowers at 60 to 85 cm from July to September. Miscanthus 'Silberfeder' rises behind at 180 to 225 cm with silvery plumes.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil that stays evenly moist. It tolerates a little afternoon shade but blooms best with plenty of sun. Water at the base during dry spells, and space plants so air can move around them, which helps keep powdery mildew away. Deadhead faded flower clusters to keep it tidy and encourage more blooms. Cut the stems back in late fall or early spring. Divide every few years in spring if the clump gets crowded.

History: Garden phlox, Phlox paniculata, is native to the moist meadows and open woods of eastern North America and became a summer border classic in Europe and North America. Center of Attention™ is a newer Bloomin' Easy® introduction, bred for a compact, sturdy habit and a striking eye.

Final Thoughts: Disease resistant, low maintenance and loved by butterflies. Put it where everybody walks by. IT EXPECTS AN AUDIENCE.