Product Description
Phlox paniculata 'Backlight' PP34506 CPBRAF (25) Bare Root Plants
LUMINARY® Collection
Common Name: Tall Garden Phlox
Joining the other members of the LUMINARY™ Collection, 'Backlight' brings a highly sought-after flower color. Pure white flowers are produced in well-defined panicles at the top of a perfect habit. The dark green leaves resist mildew that often plagues Tall Garden Phlox, even in hot, humid conditions. Try this with other white-flowering plants to create a moonlight garden.
These perennials are a favorite of gardeners around the world and a staple of North American native gardens. A favorite of pollinators. Phlox is unequaled for its showy blooms over a long period in summer. Though it is one of the most popular perennials available, it does require some maintenance to sustain its health and vigor.
Phlox grows best in rich, moist soil in full sun. It will thrive with fertilizing every other month and consistent moisture levels. Overhead watering should be avoided since some varieties of Phlox are susceptible to powdery mildew. This can be avoided or diminished by providing ample air circulation around the plants and by thinning them out periodically. Deadheading will prolong bloom time and prevent self-seeding.
Height: 28.0-30.0 Inches
Spread: 20.0-24.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8
Flower Color: White shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun to Part Shade
Average Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Mid to Late Summer
Rebloomer
Long Blooming
Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Fragrant Flowers, Mass Planting
Phlox paniculata 'Backlight' is a beautiful and reliable garden phlox known for its luminous white flowers and excellent disease resistance. It is a popular choice for gardeners looking for a classic phlox with improved performance. Here is a closer look at what makes it so special:
Appearance:
- Flowers: 'Backlight' produces large, dense panicles of pure white flowers that bloom profusely from mid-summer to early fall. The bright white blossoms create a stunning contrast against the dark green foliage.
- Foliage: The plant has dark green, lance-shaped leaves that provide a lush backdrop for the vibrant flowers. 'Backlight' is particularly noted for its strong resistance to powdery mildew, a common problem with phlox.
Growing Conditions:
- Light: Prefers full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight) for optimal growth and flowering. However, it can tolerate some light shade, especially in hotter climates.
- Soil: Thrives in moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
- Water: Requires regular watering, especially during dry periods. While it is somewhat drought-tolerant once established, it is best to keep the soil consistently moist for best performance.
Characteristics:
- Mature Size: Reaches a height of 24-36 inches with a spread of 18-24 inches, forming a compact and upright clump.
- Hardiness Zones: Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3-8, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates.
- Bloom Time: Blooms continuously from mid-summer to early fall, providing a long-lasting display of color.
- Growth Habit: Upright and well-branched, with strong stems that hold the flowers well, reducing the need for staking.
Why it is Popular:
- Pure White Flowers: The luminous white flowers of 'Backlight' add a touch of elegance and brightness to the garden, creating a beautiful focal point.
- Excellent Disease Resistance: 'Backlight' is highly resistant to powdery mildew, a common fungal disease that can disfigure phlox foliage. This makes it a low-maintenance and reliable choice for gardeners.
- Long Blooming Period: Provides continuous color throughout the summer and into early fall, ensuring a long-lasting display of blooms.
- Attracts Pollinators: The fragrant flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden.
- Versatile: 'Backlight' can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, cottage gardens, and cut flower gardens.
Uses:
- Borders: Adds a cheerful and colorful touch to garden borders, providing a long-lasting display of blooms.
- Cottage Gardens: Ideal for cottage gardens, where their informal and colorful flowers blend in perfectly.
- Cut Flower Gardens: The sturdy stems and long-lasting flowers make it an excellent choice for cut flower gardens, allowing you to bring the beauty indoors.
- Moon Gardens: The white flowers of 'Backlight' glow beautifully in the moonlight, making it a perfect addition to a moon garden.
Additional Information:
- 'Backlight' is part of the Luminary™ series of phlox, known for their improved disease resistance and vibrant colors.
- Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooming and prevents self-seeding, helping to maintain a tidy appearance.
- Dividing clumps every 2-3 years helps to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding, ensuring healthy growth and abundant blooms.
Overall, Phlox paniculata 'Backlight' is a fantastic choice for gardeners looking for a beautiful, reliable, and low-maintenance phlox with excellent disease resistance and a long blooming period. Its luminous white flowers, compact habit, and pollinator-friendly nature make it a valuable addition to any garden, bringing joy and color throughout the summer months.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
