Phlox Garden Girls® 'Cover Girl' Garden Phlox

Phlox 'Cover Girl', a distinguished member of the Garden Girls® Collection, is celebrated for its extended and profuse flowering period. This erect herbaceous perennial begins its lavish display of blooms in midsummer, continuing relentlessly through late summer. The stiff stems of 'Cover Girl' Phlox are adorned with large heads densely packed with lavender-purple flowers, each encircled by a distinctive white halo. These blooms nearly obscure the lush dark green foliage beneath, creating a spectacle of color and vitality that is irresistible to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Beyond their garden appeal, these flowers are perfect for creating stunning floral arrangements.

As a variety of Phlox paniculata, also known as tall garden phlox or simply garden phlox, 'Cover Girl' Phlox stands slightly taller than its counterpart 'Glamour Girl'. It exhibits a similar upright, multistemmed habit and can spread through self-seeding under ideal conditions. Phlox, particularly this variety, is showcased to perfection when massed or grouped in mixed beds and borders. They are also exceptionally well-suited for potted plant arrangements, making individual plants striking accents or "thrillers" in container gardens. 'Cover Girl' Phlox complements a variety of companions, including monarda, panicum, perovskia, sedum, and yucca.

Cold hardy and requiring minimal care, phlox thrives best in sunny spots with soil that is average to fertile, consistently moist, and well-draining, with a neutral to acidic pH. Though 'Cover Girl' Phlox boasts exceptional disease resistance, maintaining good air circulation and regular fertilization is key to keeping plants thriving. Additionally, cutting back the top third of the plant after its first heavy bloom can encourage reblooming and help control unwanted self-seeding.

Native to North America, phlox is not only a visually appealing addition to the garden but also promotes environmental sustainability. Adapted naturally to the local climate and soil, native plants like phlox flourish without the need for additional fertilizers or watering once established. They contribute to natural pest control, reduce the necessity for pesticides, and support garden biodiversity by providing shelter and sustenance for wildlife and pollinators.

If you are looking for a flowering ground cover or a pollinator-attracting, sweetly fragrant flower for your cottage garden, take a look at phlox. With the variety of plant forms, blooms styles, and flower colors, phlox will add beauty to your garden space.