Phlox paniculata 'Jeana'

Photo credit: North Creek Nurseries, Landenberg, PA, USA

Our native summer phlox (Phlox paniculata) continues to be challenged here in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7) by powdery mildew disease (p-m-d). Over the past decade gardeners have tried new, reportedly disease resistant cultivars.

Many have disappointed. To date, the cultivars ‘David’ (white, 3-4 ft.tall) and ‘Robert Poore’ (rose pink, 4-5 ft.) have been reliably p-m-d resistant standard bearers here.

Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’ was found by Jeana Prewitt near her home in Nashville TN with one plant that she deemed to be radically different than all the rest. In over 10 years, through all kinds of wild weather phenomena,  ‘Jeana’ has never been seriously injured by powdery mildew.

‘Jeana’ is a vigorous grower, and well branched to 48 inches in height.  The sweetly scented florets open slowly and its lavender pink color remains vibrant over quite a long time from mid- summer through early autumn.

The short stems are strong sturdy, supporting a huge floral head. Instead of 15 – 25 flowers per panicle, bears 4-5 times as any other summer phlox. ‘Jeana’ attracts a large variety of insect pollinators, including numerous swallowtail butterflies.