They bloomed profusely from the end of May through the first frost. The prolonged bloom is encouraged by removing dead blooms and keeping the plants well watered. Summer phlox like the Sweet William prefer some afternoon protection from the scorching hot sun. They may require some support to keep them from falling over with their large blooms. Pinafore Pink and Eva Cullum are two shorter and more compact varieties.
Summer phlox are available in white, pink, red, deep purple, lilac, lavender and orange.
They can be divided from clumps in the fall or early spring when new growth starts to emerge. Many gardeners also find this phlox quite easy to root from cuttings. These phlox are all perennial, but there is another native jewel called Phlox drummondii, or annual phlox. This fall phlox is much overlooked and very deserving of a place in the flower bed. They come in absolute riotous colors of pink, red, rose and white.