Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
Luminary® Pink Lightning Phlox: Big Pink Flowers, Starburst Eyes
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Luminary® Pink Lightning garden phlox is the showiest of its group. Its individual flowers are the largest in the series, bright true pink with a white starburst radiating from the center, packed into big dome-shaped heads on sturdy, densely branched stems. In trials the foliage stayed free of mildew into September, so the plant still looks fresh as summer turns to fall.
At 30 to 36 inches tall, it is a natural focal point and one of the best phlox for cutting.
Pink Lightning at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Phlox paniculata Luminary® Pink Lightning |
| Flowers | Bright true pink with a white starburst, larger than typical phlox |
| Foliage | Medium to dark green, mildew resistant |
| Size | 30 to 36 inches tall, 24 to 30 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early July, peaks late July, about six weeks plus rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 8 |
| Fragrance | Moderate, sweet and spicy |
| Deer | Susceptible |
Using it as a focal point
Pink Lightning is tall and bright enough to anchor a planting. Put a group of three in the middle of a sunny cottage border, and let lower plants fill in around it. Next to a lavender bed, it works best in an adjoining border with richer soil, since phlox wants more water and fertility than lavender will tolerate. Its first flowers open in early July as the main lavender bloom winds down, so it takes the spotlight just when the lavender steps back.
Pink and purple are a reliable color pair, and the white starburst centers keep the combination crisp rather than sugary. Map the planting in the Companion Plant Planner.
Cutting phlox for the house
- Cut in the cool of the morning, when about half the flowers in a head are open.
- Take a long stem, cutting just above a pair of leaves so side shoots can form.
- Strip the leaves that would sit below the waterline.
- Put stems straight into a bucket of cool water and arrange later.
Cutting doubles as deadheading, and the plant responds with more flowers. Fresh lavender stems tucked in add scent and a spiky contrast. The Cut Flower Planner has more ideas.
Care notes
- Water: keep soil evenly moist and water deeply in dry spells; drought makes lower leaves yellow and drop.
- Airflow: it resists powdery mildew, and good spacing helps it stay that way.
- Pests: spider mites can bronze leaves in hot, dry weather.
- Winter: fully hardy in Michigan. Cut stems to the ground after hard frost or in early spring.
- Dividing: every few years in spring.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pink Lightning bloom?
About six weeks of main bloom from early July, with more flowers if you deadhead.
Will it need staking?
Its stems are sturdy and upright. In full sun and good soil it usually stands on its own.
Plug tray or bare root?
Choose the 72-cell plug tray for growers and big borders, or the bare root plant for a home garden. See each product page for current availability.
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