How to grow Garden Phlox 'Red Riding Hood' (Phlox paniculata)

This cottage garden style plant is a member of the Polemoniaceae family. Garden Phlox, much like their Woodland Phlox cousins (Phlox divaricata), will spread and form attrsctive mounds over time. It is incredibly low maintenance, so long as you give it a bright spot with good drainage and slightly alkaline soil. This compact firey Phlox looks fabulous on borders and in containers. I can guarantee that the flowers on this particular variety are more red and less pink than my camera portrays them to be. A true native of eastern North America, the garden Phlox will naturalize in the temperate garden. This plant is exceptionally cold hardy once established, but requires some additional winter protection in its first two years or so. Plant difficulty out of 10, in my opinion: 3-4. This plant is intended for ornamental uses only. Garden Phlox is much more compact in growth habits than the woodland Phlox varieties, however their care is much the same with the exception that you do not need to stake tall plants in this variety:) Garden Phlox should be divided cleanly with a sharp spade or garden fork once every 3 to 4 years to maintain vigour and a clean appearance. Keep in mind that Phlox are herbaceous perennials, I have seen a few people throw away perfectly good plants in the winter time, under the impression that they have died. give them a chance, as they are late to emerge in the spring, but will reward you with somewhat lemony blooms all summer long :) Stay blessed you...