A wildflower native to Texas, annual phlox produces low-spreading or mounded plants that are covered with large clusters of white, yellow, pink, blue, red, and lavender flowers in late spring, and again in late summer or early fall. Annual phlox are a favorite for wildflower and roadside plantings and also make excellent companions for late spring bulbs, in the front of flower gardens, containers, edgings, and mass plantings.

Notable Varieties
'Brilliant' series grow 18 inches tall and have eyed blooms.
'Dwarf Beauty' series produce bushy, 6-inch-tall plants and produce mixed or single color flowers.
'Promise Pink' is a semidouble, pink variety that reaches 8 to 10 inches tall.
'Twinkle' produce star-shaped, often bicolored flowers with centers of contrasting colors and grows 6 inches tall.

Care
Locate in full sun or partial shade in well-drained, rich, moist soil. To prevent disease, water early in the day at ground level. Remove spent flowers to stimulate rebloom. Shear and water plants during summer so they will rebloom as the weather cools in fall.

Planting
Sow in garden in very early spring, or indoors 8 to 10 weeks before last frost at 55 to 65 degrees F. Time transplanting for 2 to 3 weeks before the last spring frost. In mild climates Zones 7 to 11, sow seeds or plant established plants outdoors in fall for winter and spring bloom.