Phlox Paniculata 'Purple Flame'

Garden Phlox Purple Flame

Phlox paniculata ‘Purple Flame’ is a compact herbaceous perennial garden phlox in the FLAME™ Series, grown for its short, bushy habit and fragrant violet-purple flower clusters with small darker purple eyes. It is much shorter than many traditional tall garden phlox, with dense pyramidal panicles held on stiff upright stems that usually do not need staking. Bloom begins in mid to late summer and may continue into early fall, making it useful for front borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, containers, edging, and small-space perennial plantings.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 12–18 in. wide x 12–18 in. tall
USDA Zones: 4a–8b
Form: Compact upright clump
Light: Full sun to part sun
Soil / Water: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil; keep evenly moist during heat and drought
Bloom Time / Length: Mid to late summer, sometimes into early fall; about 4–6 weeks
Wildlife: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

Features & Landscape Uses: Compact dwarf habit; fragrant purple flowers with darker purple eyes; sturdy stems; useful in front-of-border plantings, massing, containers, pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, and cut-flower gardens. Mt. Cuba Center notes that ‘Barfourteen’, sold as Purple Flame, performed with strong floral display in their trial, though powdery mildew pressure could still affect it in difficult seasons.

Care: Plant with good spacing for air circulation. Water at the base rather than overhead when possible. Mulch to help keep roots cool and soil moisture consistent. Deadhead spent flower clusters to keep the plant tidy and encourage additional bloom. Divide clumps every few years if vigor or flowering declines.

Plant type

Perennial

Height

12-18''

Width

12-18''

Hardiness zones

4–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Early Fall, Fall, Late Summer, Summer

Flower color

Pink

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green, Yellow

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Clay, Humus rich, Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Border, Mass Planting

Shape

Clump, Compact, Upright

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No