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Variegated Phlox or Not?
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Posted by
miclino 5 MI (
My Page) on
Sun, Feb 5, 12 at 17:25
| Have a spot between two double knockout roses for which I want a perennial that would be visible from the street in front. In front of this spot would be a row of echinacea pow wow white combined with penstemon mystica. The spot is well drained somewhat dryish with direct sun till 2pm. I can supplement water if needed (do it for the roses anyway). Plant needs to be atleast 3 feet tall minimum. Should I go with variegated phlox such as Nora Leigh or something with more dramatic flower color such as Phlox Lord Clayton?
Have never grown Phlox before now but have seen both plants at the nursery and each seems to have its own appeal. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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| You also might consider Phlox Shockwave (although I believe it is less tall than Nora Leigh). |
RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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| What color are the roses? I would repeat the purple leaves of the penstemon with a few purple leafed sedum, and plant something with orange flowers like Lychnis chalcedonica with pink roses. You could leave the echinacea and sedum standing in winter to edge the bed. David phlox would look pretty behind the roses. |
RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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| Funny you should say that. The roses are red. In front of them right now is a row of sedum purple emperor. However, even with pinching, the sedum get over 2 feet tall and need support. They just don't fit the space so I am moving them. I'm keeping the purple theme with the penstemon but adding some white with the echinacea. Want something to stand out behind it though. I did see phlox shockwave earlier and don't like the flower color. What about Phlox Becky Towe? Is it tall enough? I see many different heights mentioned. Nice flower color. Not crazy about Nora Leigh flower color but it is the right height and has nice foliage color and seen several comments that it was robust plant that would do well even in dry soil. On the other hand, the variegation might clash with the white echinacea in front so perhaps I should go for something with darker foliage like Lord Clayton? |
RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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I have Becky Towe, had it only 2 years and it is 3' tall deep pink flower in my garden and I do like it. It does not seem to have a strong stem like my other phlox it seems to flop over but it could be because it is a young plant.
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RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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Becky Towe has never performed well for me, though its variegation is very intense and the flower colour seems to enhance it.
Nora Leigh is an absolute wonder. No matter the weather, the season, the weeding effort, nothing puts her off her stride. In my gardens, Nora Leigh is even more mildew resistant that 'David'. In fact, I've never found any on her. She is robust, grows quickly and blooms well.
Initially, I disliked her, because I thought her flower colour such a mismatch to the foliage. I have done a 100% turnabout based on her performance.
I planted Shockwave last year, so it is too soon to comment. The foliage is lovely. |
RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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| Hope everyone that has 'Shockwave' will give comments on it next year- I have been eye ballin' that one myself and would love to hear what everyone here thinks of it. ;-) I have had the same findings as ninamarie with regards to 'Becky Towe'. I've had mine four or five years now and it hasn't been a very robust grower (although I admit the first spot I had it in wasn't the best). It even put out some all green side-shoots, which was a bit annoying. I put it in a full sun spot last year and it is doing better, tough I can't say I like the hot pink flowers much (personal dislike of the color, lol). Mine stands a bit shorter at around 2 1/2 feet tall by the way. Love the foliage variegation of my 'Nora Leigh', but think the flowers are pretty wishy-washy. I recently planted a pink turtlehead (Chelone) next to it, hoping to bring out a little more of the pink eye of the phlox. I actually compiled a list of all the variegated phlox I could find online awhile back (just for my own amusement, lol!). Besides the ones mentioned here there is also: 'Harlequin', 'Elisabeth', 'Goldmine', 'Silvermine', 'Creme de Menthe', and a couple short species phlox. I like the looks of 'Harlequin' a lot- dark purple flowers and white (cream?) variegation.
CMK |
RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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| Looks like the majority is for Phlox Nora Leigh. Anyone have Phlox Lord Clayton? |
RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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| For variegated Phlox, I've grown Becky Towe and Nora Leigh. Becky Towe has stunning coloration but it never thrived for me and died out after a couple years. Nora Leigh is fabulous - very strong grower, rarely has mildew, and beautiful foliage all season. The flower coloring is a bit wishy-washy, but it blends well in the front garden. It would probably look pretty with red Knock outs. |
RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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| I think that about decides it then. The nice thing is that phlox nora leigh is usually widely available here. Thanks all. |
RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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| weedy, feeble plants - not worth the candle, imo. |
RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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| I bought 'Shockwave' last year. Very short plant. Overall, I wasn't very impressed, lost half its leaves and not very vigorous. Maybe it's just me. |
RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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| Thanks for that ontnative. I planted several of these plants last August as I wanted the the lesser stature of this particular phlox and I like how the flower colour matches nicely the variegated foliage (as is not the case with some other variegated phlox). But I am disappointed to hear you say that it is not vigorous and was losing leaves (mildew?). |
RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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| These plants love rich moist fertile soil and require regular division to maintain vigor. 'Becky Towe' ... strong and healthy with a very pleasing color combination. 
'Harlequin' ... love this one also! 
Terrance |
RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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I LOVE Becky Towe - love the strong yellow variegation of the leaves, rather than the paler color on Nora... And the flower is a really strong vibrant color.
HOWEVER - it is not a vigorous plant, compared to other non-variegated phlox. (that's not unusual for varigated forms to be less vigorous). For me, it probably grows 2 and a half feet tall... it puts out occasional non-variegated stems, and if these are not culled, they will eventually take over the plant. It does not multiply at the speed I'd like, since I love the look. I've grown several plants, in different locations, for many years and it never seems to form a large clump... It sounds like you plan to plant things in front of it... will you see that much of the foliage? Or would you maybe consider on non-variagated variety? Beth - Z5 northern Michigan |
RE: Variegated Phlox or Not?
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| I plan to plant shorter echinacea and sedum autumn joy in front. If I use nira Leigh phlox I figure I should see some of the foliage |
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