A member of the Garden Girls® Collection, 'Cover Girl' is an erect herbaceous perennial that's grown for its long floral display. Beginning in midsummer, 'Cover Girl' blooms heavily and continually through late summer. Borne on stiff stems, the large flower heads are dense with lavender-purple blooms having a white halo at the center. They almost completely blanket the thick dark green foliage. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds adore the flowers, and they make gorgeous cuts for floral bouquets.
A Phlox paniculata variety, commonly called tall garden phlox or garden phlox, 'Cover Girl' is slightly taller than 'Glamour Girl' but has the same upright multistemmed habit. It spreads through self-seeding in optimal conditions. Phlox are shown to best effect when massed or grouped in mixed beds and borders and are especially suitable as a potted plant. Individual plants make stunning accents and "thrillers" (focal point) in container gardens. Monarda, panicum, Perovskia, sedum, and yucca are good companions for phlox.
Cold hardy and easy care, phlox grows best in sunny locations with average to fertile, consistently moist, well-draining soil, having a neutral to acidic pH. Although 'Cover Girl' is known for its exceptional disease resistance, good air circulation and regular fertilization helps keep plants healthy. And trimming back the top third of the plant after the first heavy flush promotes reblooming and prevents unwanted self-seeding.
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.
