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Herbaceous Perennial

Phlox paniculata 'Othello'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

perennial phlox 'Orthello'

'Othello' is a herbaceous perennial about 1m high with lance-shaped leaves which open dark green, flushed with purple which fades with age, and many clusters of fragrant, claret-red-pink flowers from summer to autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Green
Summer Pink Red Green
Autumn Pink Red Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Polemoniaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Phlox may be evergreen or herbaceous, mat-forming or erect perennials or shrubs, with simple leaves and salver-shaped flowers in terminal clusters

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil in full sun, and every autumn add a thick mulch of organic material to help preserve soil moisture

Propagation

Propagate by division in autumn or spring, by basal cuttings in spring or by root cuttings from early autumn to spring; root cuttings are the best method to ensure healthy plants

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Prairie planting
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering; cut down to the base in late autumn and remove the cut stems, to reduce the risk of eelworm and mildew the following year

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids, and phlox stem eelworm

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be affected by crown gall, leafy gall, fungal leaf spot, verticillium wilt, and powdery mildews

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