Miss Mary Garden Phlox

Just the other night, this hungry, Giant Swallowtail butterfly stopped to take nourishment from the Miss Mary garden phlox.  I was fortunate to walk down this particular aisle and catch him busily feeding from flower to flower.  I stood to watch for just a moment before reaching for my phone.   There are reasons greater then ourselves that we grow and garden.  This was one of those quietly reaffirming moments for me.  Just me and the butterfly, enjoying the phlox, together!

Garden phlox prefers full sun and moist, well drained soil.  Their fragrant flowers on sturdy stems make great cut flowers.  They attract butterflies and hummingbirds and add loads of bright summer color to garden beds and borders.  Miss Mary is a compact variety that grows 18 to 22″ tall.  This is a versatile height that works well in the mid layer of beds and borders.  The bright cherry-red flowers are shown off nicely against deep green disease resistant foliage.