Native to North America (cultivar)
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’ is a lovely long blooming summer phlox cultivar. Deep green foliage is topped by conical lavender-pink flower clusters for a long period during summer and fall. Butterflies are drawn to the fragrant flowers in sunny or lightly shaded sites with average well drained soils.
HABITAT & HARDINESS: The parent species Phlox paniculata occurs from Maine to Georgia and Minnesota to Louisiana. This species is indigenous to woodland clearings and borders, moist to mesic woods, lightly shaded river banks, meadows, moist roadsides and thickets.
The cultivar ‘Jeana’ was the one selected by Jeana Prewitt reportedly from a large Phlox paniculata colony on the Harpeth River near Nashville, Tennessee. The variety was propagated and widely promoted by North Creek Nurseries. ‘Jeana’ is notable for mildew resistance, striking flower display, fragrance and pollinator appeal.
Plants are hardy from USDA Zones 4-8.
PLANT DESCRIPTION: Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’ is an upright clumping cultivar with smooth green stems.
Leaves are opposite, narrowly elliptical and edged by fine hairs. The 4” blades are a deep healthy green.
Stems terminate in attractive 6” long flower panicles. The florets are salverform with a long narrow corolla tube that expands into 5 spreading overlapping petal-like lobes.
The fragrant florets are soft pinkish-lavender with a darker wine colored eye. At ½” across they are smallish for this species. The showy panicles, however, contain at least twice as many florets as those of a typical Phlox paniculata.
Blooming begins in mid-summer and usually extends into autumn. The flowering period is longer than normal because most of the seed are sterile.
This cultivar is 2-4’ or more with a 2-3’ spread.
CULTURAL & MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’ flourishes in cool sunny sites with average, moist or dry soil.
Plant tolerate heat and drought. In southern climates or extremely hot sites, they fare best in 6 hours or so of sun with shade during the hottest part of the day.
‘Jeana’ is very resistant to powdery mildew. The resistance is enhanced if plants are provided with good air circulation and overhead irrigation is avoided.