Phlox Paniculata 'Blue Paradise'

Blue Paradise Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata ‘Blue Paradise’ is an upright herbaceous garden phlox grown for its fragrant violet-blue to purple-blue flower clusters in midsummer. The flower color is famous for shifting with the light: it often appears bluer in early morning and evening, then more purple or lilac during bright midday sun. It forms a clump of deep green foliage on sturdy stems and is useful in perennial borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, cutting gardens, and mass plantings where summer color and fragrance are wanted.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 2–3 ft. wide × 2–4 ft. tall
USDA Zones: 4a–8b
Form: Upright, clump-forming perennial
Light: Full sun to part shade; best flowering in full sun with good soil moisture
Soil / Water: Fertile, humusy, well-drained soil; keep evenly moist, especially during heat or drought
Bloom Time / Length: July–September; often 4–6 weeks
Wildlife: Fragrant flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds

Features & Landscape Uses:
Fragrant blue-violet flower clusters, color-changing effect through the day, dark stems, summer bloom, and a strong upright habit make ‘Blue Paradise’ useful for middle-to-back perennial borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, rain-garden edges, cutting gardens, and mixed shrub/perennial plantings. Missouri Botanical Garden lists Phlox paniculata as a clump-forming perennial with large terminal flower clusters and notes that butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.

Care:
Plant in full sun to light shade with rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil and good air circulation. Water at the base during dry spells to reduce drought stress and help limit powdery mildew. Deadhead spent flower clusters to keep the plant tidy and encourage continued bloom. Cut stems back after frost or in early spring. Divide crowded clumps every few years in spring or fall. Mt. Cuba noted that ‘Blue Paradise’ can suffer from drought stress, spider mites, and powdery mildew if conditions are stressful, so consistent moisture and airflow are important.

Trademark / Patent:

Plant type

Perennial

Height

2-4'

Width

2-3'

Hardiness zones

4–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Fall, Fall, Late Summer, Summer

Flower color

Blue, Lavender, Violet

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Mass Planting

Shape

Clump, Upright

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No