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Phlox paniculata

Fall Phlox · Fall-pink · Garden Phlox

Family PolemoniaceaeGenus Phlox

A domed head of magenta-pink flowers, each with a darker eye and a pale streak down every lobe, over broad green leaves.
FlowerDidier DescouensCC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Herbaceous Perennial, WildflowerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Height
2-4 ft0.6-1.2 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
2-3 ft60-90 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Blue, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, Variegated, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Native to the lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
4-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Worth knowing

  • Native to the eastern and central United States, and grown largely for its showy, fragrant flowers in high summer. Wikipedia: Phlox paniculata

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 11, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    10 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1, in 84 days.

66% germination in 84 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Phlox p. 191Public domain
Show the original text
Phlox (Polemonlaceae). Phlox seed is hard to collect as there are only a few seed in each spherical capsule and these capsules roll away as soon as ripe. As a result seed of Phlox is not readily available except for the annual P. paniculata germ. best in outdoor treatment. Seed sown in October germ. 96% in the following February and March. Germination was less in 40(66% in 12th w)- 70(10%) and 70-40(40%)-70(20%). Note the predominance of germination at low T. Seed 05 6 m at 70 or 40 all rotted.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Phlox p. 191. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 15, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    20 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

40% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Phlox p. 191Public domain
Show the original text
Phlox (Polemonlaceae). Phlox seed is hard to collect as there are only a few seed in each spherical capsule and these capsules roll away as soon as ripe. As a result seed of Phlox is not readily available except for the annual P. paniculata germ. best in outdoor treatment. Seed sown in October germ. 96% in the following February and March. Germination was less in 40(66% in 12th w)- 70(10%) and 70-40(40%)-70(20%). Note the predominance of germination at low T. Seed 05 6 m at 70 or 40 all rotted.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Phlox p. 191. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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