Species
Phlox paniculataGarden Phlox65 other cultivars
‘Mix’Garden Phlox
‘Rene Duval’Garden Phlox 'Rene Duval'
‘Sherbet Cocktail’Sherbet Cocktail Garden Phlox
‘Glamour Girl’Glamour Girl Garden Phlox
‘Material Girl’Material Girl Phlox
‘John Fanick’John Fanick Phlox
‘Fashionably Early Crystal’Fashionably Early Crystal Garden Phlox
‘Blue Paradise’Blue Paradise Phlox
‘Blue’Blue Garden Phlox
‘Bright Eyes’Garden Phlox Bright Eyes Phlox
‘Starburst’Garden Phlox 'Starburst'
‘David’David Garden Phlox
‘Opalescence’Garden Phlox Opalescence
‘Jeana’Jeana Garden Phlox
‘Hardy Tall’Hardy Tall Phlox
‘Nicky’Nicky Phlox
‘Robert Poore’Phlox paniculata Robert Poore
‘Crme de la Crme’Crème de la Crème Garden Phlox
‘Flame Red’Phlox Flame Red
‘Katherine’Garden Phlox Katherine
‘Cloudburst’Cloudburst Hybrid Phlox
‘Bedazzled Lavender’Phlox Bedazzled Lavender
‘Blue Boy’Phlox Blue Boy
‘Flame Coral’Phlox Flame Coral
‘Chattahoochee’Garden Phlox Chattahoochee Phlox
‘Barfourteen’Flame Pink Eye Garden Phlox
‘Sweet Summer Fantasy’Sweet Summer Fantasy Phlox
‘Cover Girl’Phlox Cover Girl
‘Laura’Laura Garden Phlox
‘Flame Series Purple Eye’Phlox paniculata Flame Series Purple Eye
‘Dunbar Creek’Dunbar Creek Garden Phlox
‘Flame Light Blue’Flame Light Blue Garden Phlox
‘Eva Cullum’Eva Cullum Garden Phlox
‘Delft Blue’Garden Phlox 'Delft Blue'
‘Junior Dream’Junior Dream Garden Phlox
‘Junior Dance’Phlox Junior Dance
‘Prime Minister’Garden Phlox Prime Minister
‘Orchid Yellow Tall’Orchid Yellow Tall Phlox
‘Miss Karen’Miss Karen Phlox
‘Franz Schubert’Franz Schubert Garden Phlox
‘Silvermine’Phlox paniculata Silvermine
‘Ultraviolet’Garden Phlox 'Ultraviolet'
‘Amazing Grace’Phlox paniculata Amazing Grace
‘May Breeze’May Breeze Garden Phlox
‘Pixie Miracle Grace’Pixie Miracle Grace Phlox
‘Lizzie’Phlox Lizzie
‘Miss Mary’Miss Mary Phlox
‘Becky Towe’Becky Towe Variegated Garden Phlox
‘Little Princess’Little Princess Garden Phlox
‘Orange Perfection’Orange Perfection Garden Phlox
‘Mt Fujiyama’Japanese Phlox
‘Red Riding Hood’Red Riding Hood Garden Phlox
‘Miss Jill’Miss Jill Phlox
‘Cherry Cream’Garden Phlox Cherry Cream
‘Purple Eyes’Garden Phlox 'Purple Eyes'
‘Norah Leigh’Norah Leigh Variegated Garden Phlox
‘Harlequin’Harlequin Garden Phlox
‘Goldmine’Goldmine Garden Phlox
‘Shorty White’Shorty White Garden Phlox
‘Starfire’Garden Phlox 'Starfire'
‘Natural Feelings’Fragrant Phlox
‘Delta Snow’Delta Snow Garden Phlox
‘Red Feelings’Garden Phlox 'Red Feelings'
‘Bubblegum Pink’Phlox Bubblegum Pink
‘Rubymine’Phlox paniculata Rubymine
The Story
Plant Bio
Phlox paniculata is an upright herbaceous perennial known for its sturdy stems, lance-shaped green leaves, and large, domed clusters (panicles) of fragrant, tubular flowers that bloom from mid-summer to early fall.
'Backlight' is a standout cultivar featuring pure, brilliant white flowers with a tiny yellow eye. It is noted for its strong, upright habit, long bloom period, and excellent resistance to powdery mildew.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Perennial
Height
36 inches
Width
24 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Water
Moderate
Humidity
Prefers moderate humidity
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
North America
Toxicity
Non-toxic to humans and pets
Bloom period
Mid-summer – Late summer
In flower about 2 months of the year
Marketplace
Where to Buy
Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping
Planting
How to Grow
- Tuck seedlings or divisions into prepared soil in early spring.
- Water thoroughly after planting to settle soil around roots.
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer in early spring and mid-summer.
- Prune back spent flower stalks mid-summer for continuous bloom.
- Divide every 3-4 years in early spring or fall for vigor.
Pro Tip
Plant in well-draining soil with good air circulation for best results.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Prune dead or faded flowers to encourage new blooms
- Fertilize annually with organic compost
Don't
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not bury crown deep in soil
- Refrain from heavy pruning in late fall
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deadhead | ||||||||||||
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Pest Check | ||||||||||||
| Stake |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Backlight Garden Phlox questions
What zones can Backlight Garden Phlox grow in?
Backlight Garden Phlox is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Backlight Garden Phlox deer resistant?
Not reliably. Deer may browse Backlight Garden Phlox, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.
When does Backlight Garden Phlox bloom?
Backlight Garden Phlox typically blooms in mid-summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Backlight Garden Phlox need full sun?
Backlight Garden Phlox does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
More Phlox to compare
Garden Phlox
Phlox paniculata 'Mix'
Prairie Phlox
Phlox pilosa
Garden Phlox 'Rene Duval'
Phlox paniculata 'Rene Duval'
Candy Stripe Creeping Phlox
Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe'
Sherbet Cocktail Garden Phlox
Phlox paniculata 'Sherbet Cocktail'
Emerald Blue Moss Phlox
Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue'
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Grow Backlight Garden Phlox with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.