Product Description
Phlox paniculata 'Uptown Girl' PP32287 (25) Bare Root Plants
GARDEN GIRLS® Collection
Common Name: Tall Garden Phlox
'Uptown Girl' has light pink flowers with a star-shaped dark pink eyes.
Our flagship Phlox paniculata variety, 'Glamour Girl', has been admired for years because of its beautiful floral display. More importantly, 'Glamour Girl' is known for disease resistance, specifically mildew that often plagues Tall Garden Phlox. Now accompanying 'Glamour Girl' are three additional varieties that share the same characteristics, including rebloom. We've put them to the test with our hot, humid Michigan summers and compared to other varieties that turn white with mildew. These varieties proudly display their dark green foliage well into fall.
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: 32.0-36.0 Inches
Spread: 28.0-32.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8
Flower Color: Pink shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun
Average Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Midsummer to Late Summer
Rebloomer Long Blooming
Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Fragrant Flowers, Mass Planting
Phlox paniculata 'Uptown Girl' is a stunning cultivar of tall garden phlox, bred by Walters Gardens. It was introduced in 2020 as part of the Garden Girls® Collection, a group of phlox known for its exceptional disease resistance, particularly to mildew, and impressive reblooming capabilities. This lovely perennial is a favorite of gardeners around the world and a staple of North American native gardens. It is an excellent choice for those seeking a vibrant and low-maintenance addition to their gardens.
Appearance This phlox variety boasts large, fragrant flower heads that emerge in mid- to late summer. Each light pink flower features a captivating star-shaped dark pink eye, creating a delightful contrast. 'Uptown Girl' grows 32-36 inches tall and 28-32 inches wide, with an upright mounding habit that adds structure to garden beds. Its bright green foliage remains vibrant throughout the season, thanks to its excellent mildew resistance. Not only is 'Uptown Girl' a visual delight, but it also attracts pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds with its fragrant blooms.
Ideal Growing Conditions Phlox paniculata 'Uptown Girl' thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Plant it in rich, moist, well-drained soil for optimal growth and flowering. While it appreciates consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of powdery mildew. This cultivar is particularly well-suited to hot, humid climates, as it exhibits exceptional mildew resistance compared to other phlox varieties. Ensuring good air circulation around the plants will further help prevent mildew and promote healthy growth. 'Uptown Girl' is hardy in USDA zones 3-8, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of growing conditions.
Care and Maintenance This phlox cultivar is relatively low-maintenance, but a few simple care practices will help it flourish:
- Watering: Water regularly, providing consistent moisture, especially during periods of drought. However, avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize every other month with a balanced fertilizer to support healthy growth and abundant blooms.
- Deadheading: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering, prevent self-seeding, and maintain a tidy appearance.
- Dividing: Divide the plants every 3-5 years in spring or fall to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding. To divide, dig up the plant and carefully split the clump with a sharp knife or spade, ensuring each division has at least 2 or 3 shoots and a portion of the root system.
- Thinning: In the spring, thin out some of the stems to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of mildew.
Garden Uses Phlox paniculata 'Uptown Girl' is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of garden settings. Its vibrant blooms and upright habit make it an excellent choice for borders, where it can provide structure and a pop of color. It can also be grown in containers, adding height and fragrance to patios and decks. When planted in masses, 'Uptown Girl' creates a stunning display of color that attracts pollinators and enhances the overall garden aesthetic.
Companion Plants Consider pairing 'Uptown Girl' with other perennials that have similar growing requirements and complementary colors. Some excellent companion plants include:
- Coreopsis 'Curry Up'
- Echinacea 'Coral Craze'
- Heliopsis 'Tuscan Sun'
- Hibiscus 'Perfect Storm'
- Kniphofia 'Lady Luck'
Phlox paniculata 'Uptown Girl' is a beautiful and versatile addition to any garden. Its large, fragrant flower heads with their distinctive pink hues, combined with its excellent disease resistance and reblooming ability, make it a standout performer. This cultivar thrives in sunny locations with moist, well-drained soil and is hardy in zones 3-8. Whether used in borders, containers, or mass plantings, 'Uptown Girl' provides long-lasting color and attracts pollinators to the garden. With its easy care requirements and stunning appearance, this phlox is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Several online retailers and nurseries offer 'Uptown Girl', making it readily accessible to those looking to enhance their gardens with this delightful perennial.
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!
