Phlox paniculata ‘Starfire’
$1,234,567.89
Phlox paniculata Starfire is an upright garden phlox with red-tinged lance-shaped leaves and large fragrant panicles of vivid crimson to cherry-red flowers.
- Description
- Additional information
Description
Phlox paniculata Starfire is an upright deciduous herbaceous perennial that forms a strong leafy clump about 60 to 90 cm high and 45 to 60 cm wide. Its saturated flower colour and dark red-tinged foliage give it a dramatic presence in summer borders.
Opposite lance-shaped leaves are medium green with bronze-red to dark red shading, especially on young growth and upper stems. From midsummer into early autumn, large terminal panicles open into many fragrant salver-shaped flowers in vivid crimson to cherry red. The blooms attract butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating insects.
Grow Starfire in full sun or light partial shade in moderately fertile, humus-rich chalk, clay or loam that remains moist but drains freely. Maintain good airflow, water at soil level, mulch to conserve moisture and avoid drought stress. Deadhead fading panicles for continued display, thin overcrowded stems and divide older clumps to maintain vigour.
Additional information
| Height | 60 cm – 90 cm |
|---|---|
| Spread | 45 cm – 60 cm |
| Flowering months | July, August, September, June, May |
| Synonyms | Phlox (P) 'Starfire', Phlox paniculata 'Starfire', Phlox paniculata Star Fire, Phlox Starfire |
| Family | Polemoniaceae |
| Propagation | Divide mature clumps in spring or early autumn, or take basal cuttings in spring to preserve the cultivar. |
| Pests | Spider mites, phlox plant bugs, leaf miners, slugs and snails may occasionally damage foliage or flowers. |
| Diseases | Powdery mildew is the main concern; leaf spots, stem canker, wilt and crown or root rot may also occur. |
| Pruning | Deadhead faded panicles to extend flowering, thin crowded stems for airflow, and cut dead top growth to the base after dormancy or before spring renewal. |
| Hazardous | no |
| Variegated | no |
| Watering instructions | Keep the root zone consistently moist but freely drained, watering at soil level before drought stress develops and avoiding wet foliage. |
| Sunlight instructions | Grow in full sun for the strongest stems and heaviest bloom; light partial shade is suitable where air circulation remains good. |
| Color flower autumn | Red |
| Color flower summer | Red |
| Aspect | East, South, West |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Habit | Bushy, Clump-former |
| Moisture | Moist but Well Drained |
| Ph | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Position | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Scent | Fragrant |
| Shape | Column, Upright |
| Suggest planting location | Flowering borders, Cut flower use, Cottage and informal gardens, Wildlife friendly gardens, Prairie style planting, Rain Garden |
| Type | Perennial |
| Use for | Cutting Garden |
| Years to max height | 2 to 5 years |
| Drought resistance | no |
| Soil | Chalk, Clay, Loam |
| Local names | Starfire garden phlox, Starfire tall phlox, Vlambloem 'Starfire', Hohe Flammenblume 'Starfire' |
| Blomidon Item No | MO23021747, ZPHLPAST0001G, ZPHLPAST4PT |