Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
Luminary® Sunset Coral Phlox: A Warm Coral Twist on Garden Phlox
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Luminary® Sunset Coral garden phlox stands apart from the usual pinks and purples. Its flowers are a warm coral pink with a noticeable orange tint, slightly deeper toward the center, an uncommon tone for garden phlox. It grows into a full, vigorous, multi-stemmed clump about as wide as it is tall, flowers from early July and reblooms later in the season when deadheaded.
Sunset Coral at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Phlox paniculata Luminary® Sunset Coral |
| Flowers | Coral pink with an orange tint, about 1 inch |
| Foliage | Green, mildew resistant |
| Size | 30 to 32 inches tall and wide |
| Bloom | Early July, peaks late July, rebloom into late summer |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 8 |
| Fragrance | Moderate, sweet and spicy |
| Deer | Susceptible |
Warm against cool
Most lavender companions are chosen to blend in. Sunset Coral is chosen to stand out. Coral and orange tones sit opposite blue-violet on the color wheel, so a drift of this phlox near a lavender planting makes the purple look deeper and the coral look warmer. It is a livelier, more modern combination than pink and purple.
Like all garden phlox, it wants richer, moister soil than lavender, so plant it in an adjoining border rather than among the lavender mounds. It opens in early July, just as the first lavender bloom winds down, and carries color into late summer. Test the color placement in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Light: full sun for the most flowers and healthiest leaves; part shade is fine.
- Soil: average to fertile, kept evenly moist. Work in compost at planting.
- Space: it grows about as wide as tall, so give it 30 inches or so.
- Water: deeply in dry spells, or lower leaves yellow and drop.
- Problems: it resists powdery mildew; spider mites may bronze leaves in hot, dry weather.
Dividing a vigorous clump
Because Sunset Coral is a dense, multi-stemmed grower, it benefits from division every few years. In spring, as shoots emerge, dig the clump, cut it into sections with several shoots and plenty of roots each, discard any woody center and replant at the same depth. Water well. Each division becomes a new plant for another part of the border or a friend's garden.
Winter and cutting
It is fully hardy in Michigan without protection. Cut stems to the ground after a hard frost or in early spring and clear the debris. During the season, cut stems for bouquets when about half the flowers in a head are open; coral phlox with fresh lavender is an eye-catching jar.
Frequently asked questions
Is it really orange?
It is coral pink with a noticeable orange tint, warmer than true pink phlox but not a true orange.
Do hummingbirds visit it?
Yes. It attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds, and its pollinator rating is great.
Plug tray or bare root?
The 72-cell plug tray suits growers and long borders; the bare root plant suits a single spot at home. See each product page for current availability.
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