Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Material Girl Garden Phlox: Tall Fuchsia for the Back Row
Save
Material Girl garden phlox is one of the tallest in its group, reaching 36 to 38 inches with large, branched heads of vivid fuchsia-purple flowers, each with a slightly darker eye, on strong stems. It blooms from early July, reblooms well into late summer when deadheaded and holds its dark green leaves into fall thanks to strong powdery mildew resistance.
Material Girl at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Phlox paniculata 'Material Girl' |
| Flowers | Vivid fuchsia purple, about 1 inch, in large heads |
| Foliage | Dark green, mildew resistant |
| Size | 36 to 38 inches tall, 26 to 30 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early July, peaks late July, strong rebloom into late summer |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 8 |
| Fragrance | Moderate, sweet and spicy |
| Deer | Susceptible |
Building layers: lavender in front, phlox behind
A good border steps up in height from front to back. Lavender, at a foot or two, makes a fine front or middle layer, and Material Girl's height puts it naturally at the back. Fuchsia purple behind lavender purple reads as a deliberate, rich color scheme, and the phlox opens in early July just as the first lavender bloom winds down.
The catch is soil. Phlox wants richer, evenly moist ground; lavender wants it lean and dry. Build the back of the border as its own strip with compost worked in and water it separately, or use a soaker hose just along the phlox. Try the layers in the Companion Plant Planner.
A cutting garden workhorse
Tall, sturdy stems and high rebloom make Material Girl a strong choice for a cutting garden. Cut when about half the flowers in a head are open, just above a pair of leaves; side shoots will form new heads. Fragrant fuchsia phlox with fresh lavender stems makes a full, summery arrangement. The Cut Flower Planner can help you plan a cutting row.
Care notes
- Light: full sun and good airflow give the most flowers and healthiest leaves.
- Water: deeply in dry spells; drought or reflected heat makes lower leaves yellow and drop.
- Mildew: it resists powdery mildew, but avoid crowding for best results.
- 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 and clear the debris.
- Dividing: every few years in spring keeps the clump vigorous.
Frequently asked questions
Will such a tall phlox flop?
Its stems are tall and sturdy. Full sun and not overfeeding help it stand on its own.
Do butterflies visit it?
Yes. The fragrant flowers are a favorite of butterflies and bees, and its pollinator rating is great.
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.
Share how it went in your field