This Proven Winners® is a member of the Opening Act series, Phlox 'Opening Act Romance', a hybrid phlox, is a showy perennial offering early to late summer interest. Blooming 2 to 3 weeks earlier than most tall garden phlox (P. paniculate), 'Opening Act Romance' blooms and reblooms through late summer in large, fragrant clusters of rich lavender-pink flowers with a white halo at their center. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds adore them, and they make gorgeous cuts for floral bouquets.
Phlox 'Opening Act Romance' is an herbaceous plant with a medium growth rate and a unique domelike, slowly spreading habit dense with lanceolate, glossy medium- to deep-green leaves. Typically grown as ground cover, the plants are shown to best effect when massed or grouped in mixed beds and borders and are especially nice for understory plantings. Individual plants make stunning accents and "thrillers" (focal point) in container gardens.
Cold hardy and easy care, Phlox 'Opening Act Romance' grows best in sunny locations with average to fertile, consistently moist, well-draining soil, having a neutral to acidic pH. Although the plant has excellent powdery mildew resistance, good air circulation and regular fertilization help plants stay healthy. And trimming back the top third of the plant after the first heavy flush promotes reblooming. The plant is deer resistant.
A native plant, phlox is indigenous to North America. Native plants are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. Naturally adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the region, they thrive without fertilizers or extra watering, once established. They also act as natural pest controls, reducing the need for pesticides in the garden. Landscaping with native plants promotes biodiversity and provides shelter and quality food for wildlife and pollinators, bringing gardens to life.
