Phlox paniculata Aureole

The Phlox paniculata 'Aureole' is a hybrid variety of phlox with charming two-tone flowers. The plant produces sturdy stems with flower heads adorned with rose-violet flowers, surrounded by a white and green margin. They offer a spicy fragrance. This compact phlox, highly wind-resistant, is suitable for planting in pots or the ground, in small gardens, borders, and flower beds, in any moist soil, preferably in full sun.

The Phlox paniculata belongs to the family of Polemoniaceae. It is a robust perennial native to fertile and cool meadows in the eastern United States. 'Aureole' is a hybrid obtained in 2009 by Dutch horticulturist Jan Verschoor. It is a herbaceous perennial plant with a woody base forming a dense clump of leafy stems that reach 50 to 70 cm (20 to 28in) in height and 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in) in width. Its stiff and sturdy stems are covered with alternate, simple, lanceolate, narrow, dark green leaves with a slightly shiny appearance. Flowering occurs in July and August, but if the soil remains moist, it can continue until October. The small flowers, 2 cm (1in) in diameter, have a pink corolla surrounded by a white and green margin. They are clustered at the end of upright, dense, round panicles measuring 15 cm (6in) in diameter, fragrant, with their weight barely bending the stems. The flowers are nectariferous. In good growing conditions, phlox can live for many years in the garden.

This 'Aureole' phlox prefers a sunny location, although it can tolerate some shade. Its compact size makes it a good choice for borders or as a foreground plant in gardens of any size. In traditional cottage gardens, as well as in romantic-inspired flower beds or cottage gardens, phlox offers a long and generous flowering period. They pair well with flowers of different shapes and lighter hues, such as Liatris spicata, Helenium, Asters, and the small purple heads of Allium sphaerocephalon.