Phlox paniculata Windsor

Phlox paniculata 'Windsor', also known as Garden Phlox, is a variety renowned for its fragrance and long flowering period in large panicles of bright pink flowers with a magenta throat, reminiscent of some oleanders. This perennial is easy to grow and can bloom in any moist soil, in full sun. Standing out against its dense dark green foliage, its large inflorescences release a wonderful scent. It is also an excellent cut flower.

Phlox paniculata Windsor belongs to the Polemoniaceae family. It is an old variety, derived from Phlox paniculata, native to the fertile and damp meadows of the eastern United States. 'Windsor' is a herbaceous perennial with a woody base that forms a clump of leafy stems reaching 90 cm (35in) in height and 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24in) in width. The stiff and brittle stems are covered with alternate, simple, ovate, and lanceolate dark green leaves. Flowering begins in early July, at the height of summer, and continues until September, provided that faded inflorescences are removed. The small flowers, measuring 1.5 to 2.5 cm (1in) in diameter, have a tubular corolla of bright pink colour, marked with a dark pink tyrian throat. They are clustered at the end of the stems in dense 15 cm (6in) diameter panicles, wonderfully fragrant, which weigh down the stems. The flowering is melliferous and nectariferous.

Phlox 'Windsor' is fabulous when planted in perennial borders, alongside Monarda 'Mohawk' or Marguerites 'Wirral Supreme'. Combine it with lavender blue asters, violet blue Phlox Border Gem, or white flowers with which it forms an elegant contrast. They make good companions for bush roses, creating colourful combinations. It is a top-notch perennial for creating beautiful flowering borders and for bouquets.

Height 80 cm (32in), fl.7/8, 6 per m²