Product Description
Phlox paniculata 'Red Riding Hood' (25) Bare Root Plants
Common Name: Tall Garden Phlox
Vivid clusters of fragrant, cherry-red flowers sit atop strong-stemmed plants from mid thru late summer. 'Red Riding Hood' is a compact variety which attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. It makes a tremendous color statement in the garden. 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: 22.0 Inches
Spread: 16.0-20.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8
Flower Color: Red shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun
Average Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Mid to Late Summer
Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Fragrant Flowers, Mass Planting
Phlox paniculata 'Red Riding Hood' is a delightful and vibrant variety of garden phlox, known for its intense red blooms and compact growth habit. Here is a closer look at this charming perennial:
Appearance:
- Flowers: 'Red Riding Hood' boasts clusters of vivid, cherry-red flowers that create a stunning display. The individual flowers are small and star-shaped, packed together in large, rounded panicles.
- Foliage: The plant features lance-shaped, green leaves that provide a nice backdrop to the bright blooms.
- Growth Habit: It has a compact and upright growth habit, typically reaching around 18-24 inches in height and 12-18 inches in spread. This makes it a great choice for smaller gardens or containers.
Growing Conditions:
- Hardiness Zones: It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-8, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates.
- Sunlight: 'Red Riding Hood' prefers full sun to partial shade. It needs at least 6 hours of sunlight per day for optimal blooming.
- Soil: It grows best in rich, moist, and well-drained soil. Amending the soil with compost or other organic matter can improve drainage and fertility.
- Water: It requires regular watering, especially during dry spells. However, it's essential to avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.
Care:
- Deadheading: Removing spent flowers (deadheading) encourages continuous blooming and prevents the plant from self-seeding.
- Pruning: In late fall or early spring, you can cut back the plant to ground level to promote bushier growth.
- Fertilizing: Applying a balanced fertilizer in spring can help support healthy growth and abundant flowering.
- Mulching: Mulching around the plant can help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the plant during harsh winters.
Benefits:
- Vibrant color: The bright red flowers add a bold splash of color to the garden.
- Long bloom time: It blooms for an extended period, typically from mid-summer to early fall.
- Attracts pollinators: The flowers are attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects.
- Compact size: Its compact growth habit makes it suitable for smaller gardens or containers.
Uses:
- Borders: It adds vibrant color and vertical interest to garden borders.
- Cottage gardens: Its charming flowers blend well with the informal style of cottage gardens.
- Containers: It can be grown in containers, allowing you to enjoy its beauty on patios and balconies.
- Cut flowers: The long-lasting flowers make excellent cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements.
Companion Plants:
- White or pink phlox: Planting 'Red Riding Hood' alongside white or pink phlox varieties can create a beautiful contrast.
- Echinacea (Coneflower): The contrasting colors and textures of coneflowers and phlox create a visually appealing combination.
- Daylilies: Daylilies offer a variety of colors and bloom times that complement phlox.
- Ornamental grasses: Ornamental grasses add movement and texture to the garden while complementing the upright form of phlox.
Overall, Phlox paniculata 'Red Riding Hood' is a fantastic choice for adding a touch of vibrant red to your garden. Its long bloom time, compact size, and ability to attract pollinators make it a valuable addition to any landscape.
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!
