PInk Summer Phloxes

Pink Phloxes Close-Up

Hurray for summer, and the perennial phloxes flowering brightly near the Pergola. I do so appreciate their rich pink shades. I'm less happy with the lilac phloxes which seem to pop up everywhere. Who planted them? Oops - me.

Summer Colour

I have a master (I suppose that should be 'mistress') phlox plan - I want to replace all the lilac phloxes which grow everywhere, spread everywhere, and refuse to disappear after yearly being dug out. In their place I would like to see more of these pink beauties. What lovely summer colours!

At this time of the summer there is a definite lack of pink in the garden colours. Most of the roses are resting between flowering flushes, and of course the pink flowering shrubs like the Rhododendrons and Camellias are well past making any flowery contributions. I realise now how much I miss the colour pink.

Phloxes and Daylilies

Perennial phloxes are medium tall, and in our windy conditions would appreciate discrete support. They don't get any, though. There's a tendency for some varieties to mildew, but luckily not really in my garden.

Lilac Phlox - A Healthy Moosey Heirloom

And naturally that ubiquitous lilac phlox (have I mentioned that it annoys me?) is totally healthy. Hmm... I sometimes wonder if I am fated to have it always in my garden. It does have Moosey heirloom status - I brought the first plants to Mooseys from my old garden.

My lilac phlox has dark leaves. It flowers profusely throughout the summer weeks, and is a tough garden customer in wind or drought.

lilac perennial phlox

This phlox is always out of favour with me, though. Every summer I have big plans for its total and complete eradication (which seems a little unfair, considering it is a beautiful bloomer and is completely free from disease).

Tenacious!

It is extremely tenacious, and even if I think I've removed all traces there's always a mass of flowering shoots the following spring. Then I always turn into a gardening big softie and decide I'll let the lilac phlox live for just one more year - no more! Hmm...

Lilac Phlox

Good Health to the Lilac Phlox

Maybe the lilac phlox should be appreciated more, if only for its rude good health...