Phlox Paniculata 'Starfire'

Garden Phlox Starfire

Phlox paniculata ‘Starfire’ is an upright herbaceous perennial garden phlox grown for its vivid cherry-red to reddish-pink flower clusters and attractive dark green foliage that may show reddish-purple tinting, especially on new growth and stems. The fragrant flower panicles bloom from mid to late summer and can continue into early fall, adding strong color to perennial borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, and cut-flower plantings. Gardenia lists ‘Starfire’ at about 2–3 ft. tall with a 1–2 ft. spread, flowering in mid to late summer and fall.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 12–24 in. wide x 24–36 in. tall
USDA Zones: 4a–8b
Form: Upright clump-forming perennial
Light: Full sun to light shade; best flowering in full sun
Soil / Water: Rich, moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil; keep evenly moist and avoid drought stress
Bloom Time / Length: Mid to late summer into early fall; about 4–6 weeks
Wildlife: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

Features & Landscape Uses: Bright cherry-red flower clusters; fragrant blooms; reddish-tinted stems and foliage; strong summer color; useful in mixed borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, mass plantings, and cut-flower gardens. Mandy’s Nursery also lists it as a mid-to-late-summer bloomer that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Care: Grow in moderately fertile, medium-moisture, well-drained soil. Missouri Botanical Garden recommends full sun to light shade, rich moist organic soil, good air circulation, summer mulch, watering during dry spells, and avoiding overhead watering to help reduce powdery mildew. Deadhead spent flowers to keep plants tidy and divide clumps every few years if flowering declines.

Plant type

Perennial

Height

24-36''

Width

18-24"

Hardiness zones

4–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Fall, Fall, Late Summer, Summer

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Bronze, Dark Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Humus rich, Loamy well-drained

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Border, Container, Mass Planting

Shape

Clump, Compact, Upright

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No