Species › Plants › Garden Phlox

Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata

CommonPlant
Illustration of Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)

Garden Phlox is a tall, showy native wildflower growing 3–5 feet tall with large, domed clusters of fragrant pink to lavender flowers in midsummer. Native to moist forests and meadows of the eastern United States, it is the parent of most garden phlox cultivars. The fragrance is strongest in the evening to attract sphinx moth pollinators. Garden Phlox is one of the most important midsummer nectar sources for hummingbirds and many butterfly species.

Habitat
Found in moist forests, meadow edges, and stream banks across the eastern and central United States.
Diet
Prime nectar source for tiger swallowtails, hummingbirds, and sphinx moths in midsummer.
How common
Common

Best time to see a Garden Phlox

The best time to see a Garden Phlox is July–August, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 15,616 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Garden Phlox? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Garden Phlox sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Garden Phlox?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More plants

Garlic Mustard
Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata
Georgia Indigo Bush
Georgia Indigo Bush
Amorpha georgiana
Giant Arrowhead
Giant Arrowhead
Sagittaria montevidensis
Giant Bur-reed
Giant Bur-reed
Sparganium eurycarpum
Giant Cutgrass
Giant Cutgrass
Zizaniopsis miliacea
Giant Horsetail
Giant Horsetail
Equisetum telmateia
Giant Ragweed
Giant Ragweed
Ambrosia trifida
Giant Red Indian Paintbrush
Giant Red Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja miniata