Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The LUMINARY™ 'Backlight' Phlox paniculata or tall garden Phlox adds height and beauty to any landscape. This stunner tops out at 28 to 30 inches tall and boasts pure white flowers that grow in well-defined panicles or clusters. The fragrant flowers bloom in mid to late summer and sit on top of tall stems dotted with dark green foliage. This plant is a perennial in USDA growing zones 3 through 8.
This upright plant is commonly used as a thriller in containers, and it can also grow in borders, landscapes, and mass plantings. The pure white flowers provide a nice contrast when planted near other blooming plants, and the striking blooms make excellent cut flowers. The Phlox paniculata is native to North America, so it does not require much care once it settles in. This variety is disease-resistant for added convenience and peace of mind.
Luminary™ Backlight Phlox Care
Phlox thrive with plenty of direct sunlight. This plant can live in part to full sun, so it needs at least 4 to 6 hours of daylight, but the more, the better. Soil should be acidic or neutral and well-draining. Phlox prefers consistently damp conditions, so water then the top layer starts to dry out and spread mulch around the base to retain moisture. Regular fertilization will promote new growth and blooms.
Most varieties of Phlox are prone to powdery mildew, and while LUMINARY™ 'Backlight' Phlox paniculata is disease-resistant, it is still best to take steps to avoid mildew and fungal infections. Space Phlox when planting and thin them out if they become too thick. Also, water the ground and not the foliage. In preparation for winter, cut the plant back once the flowers fade. If you want the plant to reseed, wait until the fall to trim the plant back. Cover new plants with mulch for the first 2 winters to help protect the roots from chilly temperatures in cold regions.
Luminary™ Backlight Phlox Spacing
Tall garden Phlox grow 28 to 30 inches tall, so plant them in an area where the flowers will be on display, but the tall stems will not block smaller plants. Space plants 20 to 24 inches apart when planting. With time the plants will fill in, and giving them space allows for improved air circulation.
Luminary™ Backlight Phlox Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Perennials |
| Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 20 - 24 Inches |
| Spacing: 20 - 24 Inches |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): White |
| Flower Description: Pure White |
| Bloom Period: Mid to Late Summer |
| Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
| Watering: Low |
| Resists: Disease |
| Tolerates: Heat, Drought |
| Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Container Role: Thriller |
| Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
| Brand: Proven Winners |
| Common Name: Luminary™ Backlight Phlox |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: Phlox paniculata USPPAF, Can PBRAF |
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 31th |
| Zone 9 | March 31st |
| Zone 8 | April 7th |
| Zone 7 | April 14th |
| Zone 6b | April 21st |
| Zone 6a | April 28th |
| Zone 5b | May 5th |
| Zone 5a | May 12th |
| Zone 4 | May 19th |
| Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: Idaho, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!