Look at drummond phlox as a bedding plant

Drummond phlox, a native Florida species, is an ideal candidate for bedding plant production in Florida, said Jeff Norcini, associate professor of environmental horticulture at University of Florida.

Norcini tested the plant (Phlox drummondii Hooker) and found that fall-transplanted seedlings in a seed-production plot flowered all winter and spring.

“This bed of drummond phlox has performed superbly,” he said. “Plants were floriferous all winter and spring. Moreover, the planting exhibited excellent tolerance of subfreezing temperatures.”

Norcini did not observe any immediate or delayed injury after the temperature dropped to 22°F.

“Based on our preliminary observations, drummond phlox has excellent potential as a bedding plant for late fall through spring and maybe into early summer,” he said.

This spreading phlox grows 1 1/2 feet tall and 2 feet wide with pink to purple flowers. Sometimes red or white flowers appear.

In the landscape it grows best in full sun and sandy soils.

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For more: Jeff G. Norcini, University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center, 155 Research Road, Quincy, FL 32351-5677; (850) 875-7100; wldflowr@ufl.edu.