Intensia^® Phlox

‘Intensia^®’ is an annual phlox that produces the same hefty blooms as its perennial cousins, but with much more gusto.

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Phlox 'Intensia^®'

Type:
annual

Bloom Color:
magenta, hot pink, white or lavender

Bloom Time:
spring through fall

Habit:
upright, loose

Water:
Consistent moisture.

Soil:
Moist. Well-drained.

Sun:
Full sun.

Zone Hardiness:

Resists Deer:
No

Categories:
Sun Garden Favorites. Annuals. Birds, Bees and Butterflies. Fragrant.

There was a time when plant introductions were hard to come by. You either had to breed them yourself or trek across the Himalayas to find something new for your garden. These days exciting varieties are as close as your local garden center.

One such plant is ‘Intensia^®’ phlox. It’s a cross between Phlox drummondii and a phlox native to southwestern United States. With parents like that you know that this phlox is tough. It can really take the heat and humidity, which is why I decided to try it in my garden.

‘Intensia^®’ is an annual phlox that produces the same hefty blooms as its perennial cousins, but with much more gusto.I planted the hot pink ‘Intensia^® Neon Pink’ and the magenta ‘Intensia^® Cabernet’ in early April and they started flowering right away and kept on flowering in spite of a surprise cold snap later in the month. So not only does this phlox promise to hold up during the dog days of summer, its ability to handle a light frost means that it will be one of the last blooms to fade in fall as well. In my mild zone 7 garden that can mean up to 8 months of bloom!

But you don’t have to live in a mild region to enjoy this phlox. ‘Intensia^®’ has won awards in areas across the country, proving that this little plant will perform in a variety of growing conditions.

For the best performance ‘Intensia^®’ needs full sun and moist, but well drained soil. And like other annuals, this plant is a heavy feeder. An application of liquid fertilizer once a week, every few days if planted in containers, will bolster the bloom production.

‘Intensia^®’ phlox can be planted in flower borders or containers. All of the varieties in this series stay under 12 inches and have an upright, willowy form that reminds me of wildflowers. Although diminutive in stature, the blooms are large, often up to 1-inch across.

In combination with other plants, ‘Intensia^®’ has the charming habit of weaving itself among its companions. Planting solo in large drifts will result in a blanket of non-stop color from spring through fall.

Intensia® Phlox

Intensia^® Phlox