Garden Phlox

Plant taxonomy classifies this flower as Phlox paniculata 'Barthirtyone.' But the cultivar name, 'Barthirtyone' isn't used frequently (let's face it, it's not very catchy!). The flower is more often referred to as "Ruby" or "Volcano Ruby" (it is part of the "Volcano" series).

Garden phlox is categorized as an herbaceous perennial flower.

This type of garden phlox can grow to a height of 3 feet (but see below), with a spread of about 20 inches. It grows in clumps and its leaves are lanceolate. The name "Ruby" is presumably meant to suggest its flower color, but I find its fragrant flowers to have less red in them than that name suggests (see picture above). I would group it more with the purple flowers than with the red flowers. Nonetheless, the clusters of flowers are quite striking. Bloom time is from mid-summer until early fall.

Indigenous to North America, garden phlox can usually be grown in planting zones 3-8. But Volcano Ruby doesn't quite conform to that standard. It's listed as being hardy only to zone 4. But its mildew-resistant trait (see below) makes it viable further south (to zone 10, according to some).

This garden phlox is best grown in full to partial sun (in the North) and should be planted in a well-drained, loamy soil enriched with humus. At the southern end of its range, it will require more shade.

Volcano Ruby is used in a number of ways, including:

• In a border, such as along a driveway or walkway
• As part of a woodland garden in a southern climate, where it requires shading
• In English cottage gardens
• In either the middle row or back row of a mixed perennial bed, depending upon the height it achieves for you

To prolong its blooming period, deadhead this and other types of garden phlox. This cultivar is mildew-resistant, but you should still space your flowers so as to promote good air circulation (and avoid overhead watering). Dividing can rejuvenate these perennials when their performance begins to wane.

Irrigate Volcano Ruby during periods of drought. A layer of garden mulch will help the soil retain moisture.

Volcano Ruby and other types of garden phlox flowers are good hummingbird plants and are plants that attract butterflies, as well.

If you click on "More Images" under the picture above (to access the mini-photo gallery), you will see two other types of colorful garden phlox flowers:

1. 'Red Magic'
2. 'Orange Perfection'

Like "Ruby," 'Red Magic' isn't even close to being red. 'Orange Perfection' bears a more justifiable name. The flowers of 'Red Magic' are similar in color to those of Volcano Ruby.

Its color is certainly one of the finest features of this garden phlox, a feature accentuated by the flowers per square inch it displays. Indeed, Volcano Ruby is touted as being a compact type of garden phlox, a claim which I can confirm: My own reaches a height of only 24 inches. Let me note, however, that my Volcano Ruby receives more shade than it probably should, which may be a factor in keeping it short. By contrast, my 'Red Magic' (27 inches tall) and 'Orange Perfection' (30 inches tall) are less compact; but they do receive more sunlight than does my Volcano Ruby.

Like other plants in the species, it offers a long blooming period, from mid-summer to early fall. And its superior mildew resistance allows for its use in relatively hot climates -- perhaps its major selling point.

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