Product Description
Phlox 'Fashionably Early Princess' PP28680 (25) Bare Root Plants
Fashionably Early Series
Common Name: Hybrid Phlox
‘Fashionably Early Princess’ is the very first of the series to bloom. This is a taller variety of Hybrid Phlox that will work best for the middle to back of the border. In addition to being early blooming, it boasts a long season of color. Light fuchsia pink flowers and a darker pink eye appear well into midsummer with some rebloom in fall. Broad, thick, glossy green foliage stays beautiful all season.
This type of Hybrid Phlox blooms earlier than the average Tall Garden Phlox (P. paniculata), starting about 2-3 weeks earlier than the typical Phlox. Each member of the Fashionably Early series has exceptional mildew resistance, thick leathery leaves, and a stoloniferous habit (as opposed to the tightly clumping P. paniculata types).
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: 28-32 Inches
Spread: 26-30 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8
Flower Color: Pink shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Average Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer - Late Summer, Rebloomer, Long Blooming
Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Fragrant Flowers, Mass Planting
Phlox 'Fashionably Early Princess' is a delightful hybrid phlox that stands out as a star performer in the garden. As a member of the Fashionably Early series, it lives up to its name by blooming 2-3 weeks earlier than other garden phlox. This early arrival brings a welcome burst of color to the spring garden and provides essential early spring nutrition to pollinators.
'Fashionably Early Princess' is admired for its abundant clusters of pale fuchsia pink flowers, each adorned with a darker pink eye. These fragrant flowers are a magnet for bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, adding life and movement to the garden. The broad, thick, glossy green foliage provides a lush backdrop for the flowers and remains attractive throughout the season. This phlox typically reaches a height of 28-32 inches and a width of 26-30 inches, making it a perfect choice for the middle or back of the border. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-8.
One of the most remarkable characteristics of the Fashionably Early series, including 'Fashionably Early Princess', is its exceptional mildew resistance. This makes it a reliable choice for gardeners who have struggled with powdery mildew on other phlox varieties.
Care Instructions
- Sunlight Phlox 'Fashionably Early Princess' thrives in full sun to very light shade. For optimal flowering and to minimize the risk of powdery mildew, ensure it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
- Watering While this phlox enjoys moderately moist soil, it is important to avoid overhead watering. Water deeply at the base of the plant during dry spells to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Soil 'Fashionably Early Princess' prefers rich, well-drained soil. Amending the soil with organic matter, such as compost, can improve drainage and fertility.
- Fertilizer Fertilize every other month with a balanced fertilizer to support healthy growth and abundant blooms.
- Maintenance Deadheading spent flowers will encourage new blooms and maintain a tidy appearance. Cut back stems after flowering is over to promote new growth. To further prevent powdery mildew, ensure good air circulation around the plants by spacing them adequately and thinning out stems in spring. Adding summer mulch will help keep the root area cool and conserve moisture.
Growth Habits 'Fashionably Early Princess' has a unique growth habit that sets it apart from other garden phlox. It spreads by underground stolons (horizontal runners) rather than forming tight clumps. This makes it easier to divide and multiply the plants, a definite advantage for gardeners who like to share or expand their plantings. It grows at a medium rate and can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, it will die back to the ground each winter and re-emerge in the spring.
Propagation Phlox 'Fashionably Early Princess' can be easily propagated by division in spring or autumn. Simply dig up the plant, carefully separate the stolons, and replant them in a suitable location.
Uses in Landscaping and Gardening Phlox 'Fashionably Early Princess' is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of ways in the landscape. Its dazzling flowers make it a welcome addition to perennial borders, where it can be planted as a single specimen or in groupings to create a mass of color. It also shines in cottage gardens, woodland edges, and traditional settings.
This phlox is also well-suited for container gardening. Its upright habit makes it an excellent 'thriller' in container combinations, providing height and structure. It can be planted in the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller 'spiller' plants that cascade over the edges, and 'filler' plants that fill in the gaps.
Companion Plants Phlox 'Fashionably Early Princess' pairs beautifully with a variety of other perennials. Consider combining it with:
- Coneflowers (Echinacea): The bold textures and vibrant colors of coneflowers create a striking contrast with the delicate blooms of 'Fashionably Early Princess'.
- Crocosmia: The fiery hues of crocosmia complement the pink tones of the phlox, creating a warm and inviting display.
- Hyssop (Agastache): The long-lasting blooms of hyssop provide a continuous source of nectar for pollinators, while their aromatic foliage adds another dimension to the garden.
These are just a few suggestions, and many other combinations are possible. Experiment with different plants to create a unique and personalized garden design.
Phlox 'Fashionably Early Princess' is a true gem for the garden. Its early bloom time, exceptional mildew resistance, and long season of color make it a standout performer. Whether planted in a border, a container, or a cottage garden, it is sure to delight with its beauty and attract pollinators with its fragrant flowers. With its easy care requirements and adaptability to different garden styles, 'Fashionably Early Princess' is a must-have for any perennial enthusiast.
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!
