Volcano® phlox

Volcano® Phlox is a new family of Phlox that are sturdy, exceptionally floriferous, and are very tolerant of powdery mildew which plagues most other Phlox. It now comes in four colors (pink with white eye, white, purple and pink with red eye). Volcano® Phlox feature flower clusters of 125 flowers or more each, providing masses of flowers from June through September. To prolong blooming, cut back by 2/3 after the first bloom - this will encourage new stems and more flowers.

Volcano (phlox)These new varieties actually owe their existence to the end of the Cold War. Shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, members of the Dutch hybridizing firm Bartels Stek trekked the newly-opened countries of Eastern Europe looking for exceptional plant material. Their most exciting find was a group of old varieties of Eastern European phlox that were unknown in the West. While the old varieties weren’t fragrant or very floriferous, they were very disease-tolerant. Cross-breeding resulted in the exciting new Volcano® series of fragrant, abundantly-flowering, compact phlox with high natural disease-tolerance.

Volcano® Phlox are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 10. For winter protection tips, please go to the FAQs for Volcano® Phlox.

Unlike many Phlox, which can grow taller than three feet tall, Volcano® Phlox grow on upright, sturdy 24 to 30 inch stems making them an excellent choice for both borders and containers. Volcano® Phlox is regarded as compact when compared to other commercial Phlox and doesn’t collapse in the garden.

Key Features

  • Four great colors - pink (white eye), purple, pink (red eye) and white.
  • Compact and low-growing with sturdy stems
  • Masses of large, fragrant flower clusters
  • Flowers from June through September
  • Ideal in garden beds, borders and containers
  • Grow in full sun or partial shade
  • Superior mildew tolerance

Pink with Red Eye

Volcano - Pink, with Red Eye (phlox)

Pink with White Eye

Volcano - Pink, with White Eye (phlox)

White

Volcano - White (phlox)

Suggested Uses

Ideal summer color for planting in garden beds and borders and container plantings. Excellent in commercial landscapes.

Growth Habit

Compact, branching. Basal growth, branching habit. Upright clump with strong upright stems that don’t require staking.

Plant Size

When mature, 24- to 30-inches tall, up to 24-inches wide.

Flower Size

Up to 1-inch in diameter.

Mature Height

24-30 inches tall.

Mature Width

24 inches wide.

Spacing

Plant 12- to 16-inches apart to help natural tolerance to mildew.

Hardiness

Hardy in USDA zones 4 through 10.

Flowering Period

Flowers early Summer until Fall. To prolong blooming, cut back by ⅔ after first flowering.

Number Of Flowers

Large, multi-branched flower clusters, comprised of up to 125 flowers or more per stem.

Foliage

Narrow, pointed lance-shaped leaves up to 5-inches long.

Pruning/Pinching

No pinching or pruning necessary in the home garden.

Temperature

Phlox performs best with warm day temperatures and cool night temperatures. Optimal day temperatures range from 75-80°F. Optimal night temperatures range from 50-60°F.

Light Needs

Performs best in full sun (six hours of sun daily), but will tolerate partial shade (minimum four hours of sun daily). Best in partial or full shade in hot climate zones.

Soil Needs

Volcano Phlox will tolerate a range of soils but will perform best in a well-worked fertile soil.

Water Needs

Will tolerate moderately dry conditions. Performs best when well-watered. Watering at the base with a soaker hose is encouraged. Overhead watering, or watering at night can promote conditions conducive to mildew.

Fertilizer

In Spring, use a slow release balanced plant food suitable for flowering plants.

Disease Tolerance

Very tolerant but not entirely impervious to mildew.

Pest Issues

Phlox can be affected by spider mites and thrips.

Special Care

Volcano Phlox are very mildew tolerant, but it’s good gardening practice in general to take steps to avoid conditions that can promote mildew. Follow spacing recommendations when planting. Crowded plantings can reduce air circulation and promote mildew. Water phlox at the base of the plant and not from above. Soaker hoses are great. Never water your garden at night, as this promotes mildew and other diseases in all plants in your garden. Morning is the best time to water the garden. In zones 4 - 9 divide Volcano Phlox every 3 to 5 years or when the plant looses vigor or the center of the clump starts to die. Divide in early spring for best results.

Parentage

Selection of Phlox paniculata.
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