This is the blooming season for Phlox paniculata – a long season it is for a perennial, from midsummer to autumn. Phlox paniculata is a type of phlox that I recently discovered. I thought the only type of phlox was the creeping variety, so I was pleasantly surprised when I came upon the Peppermint Twist garden phlox and realized the phlox family of plants came in other shapes.
I love various shades of pink flowers in my summer yard, and when I saw the pink and white striped flowers on the ‘Peppermint Twist’ phlox, I had to add it to my list of must-have-perennials for my yard – it has two of my favorite things: the color pink, and stripes!
The Peppermint Twist garden phlox is a small plant, although not too small, with its height range of 12” to 16”, and a width of about 12”. The flower head, somewhat like a hydrangea mophead, sets atop a sturdy stem, and is made up of the smaller pink and white stripe flowers. The leaves are narrow and pointed at the end. Sources say it is good for massing, borders, and as a cut flower.
It is ’gardener-friendly’ since it grows in a wide range of soil types, and soil pH. Its hardiness zones are 3 – 9 (some sources say 4 – 9), it likes to be in the sun, and average to moist soil suits it well.
According to White Flower Farm, this garden phlox has a ‘spicy vanilla-clove’ fragrance, which sounds wonderful.
Because phlox is susceptible to powdery mildew, the plants benefit from good air circulation, and soil that doesn’t dry out. ‘Peppermint Twist’ is reported to have good mildew resistance.
They attract butterflies, and, they would definitely be lovely in a cut flower arrangement, wouldn’t you agree?
~M