Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Opening Act Ultrapink Phlox: Fluorescent Pink for Cutting
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Opening Act Ultrapink phlox is the brightest of its group, with intense fluorescent rose-pink flowers that open in early summer, two to three weeks ahead of standard garden phlox. The flowers are fragrant and good for cutting, and they stand out from across the garden. Sunglasses are optional.
Ultrapink at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Phlox Opening Act Ultrapink |
| Flowers | About 1 inch, fluorescent rose pink, fragrant |
| Foliage | Glossy dark green, resists mildew and other diseases |
| Size | 22 to 28 inches tall, 32 to 36 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early summer; reblooms later when sheared |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
Using a vivid pink with lavender
A color this strong needs company that can calm it down, and lavender is perfect for the job. The silver-gray lavender foliage softens the pink, and deep violet English lavender makes it look rich rather than loud. White lavender beside it gives a crisp, summery look. Grow Ultrapink in the richer, regularly watered border next to the lavender bed, where its rose-pink clusters pick up as the first lavender bloom winds down.
Plant it as a group of three rather than scattered singles. One vivid clump anchors a bed; several scattered ones can look restless. Lay it out in the Companion Plant Planner.
A phlox for the vase
Fragrant flowers that cut well are worth a spot in any cutting garden. For the longest vase life, cut Ultrapink stems in the cool of the morning when about half the florets in a cluster are open, strip the lower leaves and put them straight into cool water. Pair them with fresh lavender stems; the scent and the color work together. Plan a cutting row in the Cut Flower Planner.
Planting and care
- Soil: average to fertile and well drained, with compost added.
- Water: regular watering through summer, more than lavender needs.
- Airflow: it resists mildew and handles heat and humidity; spacing keeps the leaves clean.
- Rebloom: shear spent heads after the first flush for a later round of flowers.
- Spreading: it spreads slowly by stolons; divide in spring when crowded.
Plug tray or bare root
Ultrapink is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray for growers and cutting rows, and as a bare root plant for direct planting. Set a bare root plant with its crown at the soil surface and water it in. See each product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ultrapink fragrant?
Yes. The flowers are fragrant, which makes them especially nice in a vase.
Will it clash with purple lavender?
Not when grouped and set off by lavender's silver foliage. Deep purple and fluorescent pink are a bold, cheerful pairing.
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