Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY
Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.
IN THIS GUIDE
Available in a range of different colours, phlox is hugely popular among British gardeners thanks to its versatility and ease of cultivation.
From herbaceous clump-forming varieties to their creeping counterparts, there’s a phlox for every occasion.
Although other colours have their own merits, I genuinely believe purple phlox are among the loveliest in the plant’s spectrum.
“Purple flowers will harmonise with blues and dark reds creating a calming effect,” says Horticultural Consultant Colin Skelly.
“However, they will contrast with oranges and yellows to provide a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. You can add different foliage textures to further accentuate or dampen these effects.”
That’s because of the way in which they can inject some energy or tranquillity into their surroundings, as the specimen dictates and the situation demands.
With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of eight of my favourite purple phlox varieties for your perusal.
Check them out and get some inspiration for your next outdoor display!
Just note, all of these varieties can be grown in either an exposed or sheltered location.
1) P. paniculata ‘Blue Paradise’
- COMMON NAME(S): Perennial Phlox ‘Blue Paradise’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Despite its name, ‘Blue Paradise’ carries blooms that are definitely more lavender in hue than blue.
Nonetheless, the daily transformation from violet to indigo that they make as the sun dips in the sky is a sight to behold in any garden.
Capable of growing up to 120cm in height, they’re one of the loftier phlox varieties available to you, and the fact that their sturdy stems carry a further suggestion of purple only enhances their ornamental attributes.
2) P. subulata ‘Emerald Cushion’
- COMMON NAME(S): Phlox ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
From one misnomer to another, ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’ is another specimen whose flowers are more amethyst than azure.
However, unlike ‘Blue Paradise’, this phlox is of the creeping variety, meaning it provides excellent ground cover.
Equally effective as a weed suppressant as it is as window dressing, ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’ should never exceed 15cm in height, but can span more than treble that in spread.
That makes it perfect for use in covering over a bare patch or even dangling from a hanging basket for allure at altitude.
3) P. ‘Violet Pinwheels’
- COMMON NAME(S): Creeping Phlox
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full Sun
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.5-1m spread
‘Violet Pinwheel’ is another creeping phlox variety that’s even shorter than the previous suggestion, reaching just 10cm at full maturity.
It’s also a fairly brief bloomer, generally only sending forth flowerheads during springtime.
However, the gorgeous lavender colours of its petals, along with the distinctive stellar shape they take, make it a showstopper at the peak of its powers.
It’s not just a human audience it will wow during that window, either, with butterflies and bees attracted to its lightly fragranced blossoms as well.
4) P. paniculata ‘Laura’
- COMMON NAME(S): Perennial Phlox ‘Uspekh’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
- SUNLIGHT: Full sun / Partial Shade
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Flowering much later in the year, typically around July to September, ‘Laura’ is renowned for two things: the loveliness of its lavender petals, each of which is complemented by a completely white centre, and the potency of the honeyed fragrance it exudes.
To take full advantage of both, you may wish to consider planting this phlox next to a window, doorway or path.
This will allow you to enjoy the full force of its aroma as you pass by; just remember it can reach 90cm in height, so position your plant accordingly.
5) P. subulata ‘Purple Beauty’
- COMMON NAME(S): Moss Phlox ‘Purple Beauty’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FOLIAGE TYPE: Evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Spring / Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full sun / Partial Shade
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
This vigorous creeper is characterised by the masses upon masses of star-shaped flowers it produces in spring, the subtle purple of the petals accentuated by the deep violet and yellow of its stamen.
At the height of its activity, the blossoms will obscure the evergreen needle-like foliage beneath completely.
Its tendency to grow in a carpet-like formation makes it ideal for edging borders or filling out empty terrain in beds.
Place it alongside vibrant colours like yellows or reds for added oomph.
6) P. paniculata ‘Little Boy’
- COMMON NAME(S): Perennial Phlox ‘Little Boy’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
- SUNLIGHT: Full sun
- EXPOSURE: Exposed / Sheltered
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
‘Little Boy Phlox’ is a slightly more delicate creature than many of its brethren, struggling under conditions of drought and plagued by powdery mildew, pests and other complaints.
Nonetheless, it will reward those who take the time to care for it with its breathtaking blooms in summer and autumn.
The panicles are formed of paper-like lilac petals, each with a smudge of white at its centre.
It can grow up to 80cm in height and the same again in spread, while its long-lasting blossoms make it a perennial favourite despite its awkwardness.
7) P. paniculata ‘Peacock Neon Purple’
- COMMON NAME(S): Perennial Phlox [Peacock Neon Purple]
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer
- SUNLIGHT: Full sun / Partial Shade
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
With brightly-coloured panicles of magenta flowers set against lush green foliage, ‘Neon Purple’ is the very essence of vitality and vibrancy.
It belongs to the Peacock series of Phlox paniculata – and it certainly knows how to display its tail feathers in your garden.
At just 60cm in height and less than that in spread, it’s not too demanding in its spatial requirements and holds up well against disease and predators.
As such, it’s an ideal option for smaller or urban gardens where space might not be at a premium.
8) P. paniculata ‘Purple Kiss’
- COMMON NAME(S): Perennial Phlox ‘Purple Kiss’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- FOLIAGE TYPE: Deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): Summer / Autumn
- SUNLIGHT: Full sun / Partial Shade
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Like ‘Blue Paradise’, ‘Purple Kiss’ is also something of a chameleon in terms of the colours it wears throughout the day.
At dawn, its petals will appear darker in tone, with a blue tinge adorning its purple mantle.
By dusk, the hues have softened to something almost resembling pink.
This, alongside the attractive white eyes at the centre of each flowerhead and the irresistible fragrances which draw in biodiversity, make ‘Purple Kiss’ popular across the UK and beyond.
Again, it generally reaches about 60cm in height and half that in spread, making it entirely manageable in terms of its location in your garden.
