SCIENTIFIC NAME: Phlox drummondii

COMMON NAME: Annual phlox

FAMILY: Polemoniaceae

TYPE: annual

LEAVES: lower opposite, others alternate, broad-ovate to oblong and lanceolate, 1" to 3" long, acute and mucronate apex, narrow or clasping base

FLOWER: copious cymose clusters, 5 round-tipped or star-shaped petals, about 1" across, white, pink, purple, yellow, salmon, solid or bicolor

SEASON OF BLOOM: spring with decline in summer heat

GROWTH HABIT: 6" to 20", round

SOIL: well drained, moist soil, fertile

SUN: sun to part shade

UTILIZATION: edging, bedding (mass the colors), rock garden, cut flowers, window boxes; generally does not perform well in zone 8

DISEASES: leaf spot, powdery mildew

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: potato flea beetle, mites

PROPAGATION: seed

MAINTENANCE: low

CULTIVAR: Globe