Phlox Plumtastic

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3 Bedrooms

2 Bathrooms

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Super full flowers with a white eye.

Phlox ‘Plumtastic’ and the related ‘Strawberries and Cream’ take moss phlox breeding in a completely new direction. These hybrids produce novel flower colors not found in Phlox subulata, as well as flowers that deepen in color as they age, unlike P. subulata, whose lowers can fade over time. Reliably lower-growing and possessing possibly higher pH and salt tolerance than P. subulata add to their novelty. The key was crossing Phlox subulata with the western species Phlox kelseyi, which is a deciduous, mat-forming species found in high salinity and high pH, seasonally wet habitats in Idaho and Montana. This is a tough species for durable hybrids. While P. kelseyi s temperamental in cultivation in the eastern and midwestern United States, it has imparted novel traits in these two hybrids.

Cultural Details

TYPE

Perennial

U.S. NATIVE

YES

Light:

Full sun
Soil:

Adaptable to average garden soils.
Moisture:

Moist to dry, but sharply drained, especially in winter. Drought tolerant once established.
Hardiness Zone

4-8
Bloom Time:

Spring
Bloom Color:

Lavender
Size:

2.5" tall by 16" wide
Diseases & Pests:

Exhibits excellent disease resistance. Phlox subulata selections may be bothered by powdery mildew in situations of excess moisture, relative humidity, and inadequate air circulation, but this has not yet been observed on any of our selections. These

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What Makes Me Special?

Lavender pink flowers with rounded petals and a white eye make for an eye-popping color show in early spring.

Landscape Use

Borders, mass plantings, rock gardens, hanging over a wall, slopes

Origin

Phlox ‘Plumtastic’ takes moss phlox breeding in a completely new direction. This hybrid produces novel flower colors not found in Phlox subulata, as well as flowers that deepen in color as they age, unlike P. subulata, whose flowers can fade over time. Reliably lower-growing and possessing possibly higher pH and salt tolerance than P. subulata adds to its novelty. The key was crossing Phlox subulata with the western species Phlox kelseyi, which is a deciduous, mat-forming species found in high salinity and high pH, seasonally wet habitats in Idaho and Montana. This is a tough species for durable hybrids. While P. kelseyi is temperamental in cultivation in the eastern and midwestern United States, it has imparted novel traits in this hybrid.