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Phlox - Red Seeds (Phlox drummondii) - Native Wildflower

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Phlox - Red Brilliant Summer Color

Phlox drummondii, commonly known as Annual Phlox or Drummond's Phlox, is a stunning annual flower that produces masses of vibrant red trumpet-shaped blooms throughout the summer. This compact, mounded plant reaches 10-12 inches high and is beloved by pollinators and gardeners alike for its continuous color and sweet fragrance.

Key Features:

  • Brilliant Red Blooms: Large, trumpet-shaped flowers in vivid red that bloom all summer long
  • Pollinator Magnet: Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds with nectar-rich flowers
  • Compact Growth: Neat, mounded habit perfect for borders, containers, and mass plantings
  • Long Blooming: Flowers continuously from late spring through summer
  • Easy Care: Low-maintenance annual that thrives in full sun
  • Fragrant: Sweet scent adds another dimension to your garden

Growing Information:

Phlox thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Perfect for flower beds, borders, containers, and cutting gardens. The vibrant red flowers create stunning displays when planted in masses and provide excellent contrast with other summer annuals. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continued flowering.

Perfect for: Annual flower gardens, pollinator gardens, container plantings, cutting gardens, and summer color displays.

Height 6–18 inches
Light requirements Full Sun 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily Part Sun 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily Part Shade 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily Shade Under 4 hours of direct sunlight daily Full Shade 0-3 hours of sunlight daily, preferably morning sun. Can be filtered (dappled) light to deep shade Dappled Light Soft, shifting pattern of sunlight and shade when sunlight filters through the leaves Full Sun
Water Medium
Bloom Time Spring
Stratification Not Needed
Soil Sandy, well-drained
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Beneficial Insects

1. Direct Sowing Outdoors (Fall & Spring)
Site Selection
Choose a site with full sun to partial shade (6+ hours of sunlight per day is ideal).
Prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soil but adapts to a variety of soil types.
Ideal for garden beds, wildflower meadows, borders, and rock gardens.
Soil Preparation
Loosen soil to a depth of 6-8 inches and remove weeds, debris, and large rocks.
Enrich with compost or organic matter if soil is poor.
Avoid heavy clay or overly wet soils, as they can cause root rot.
Planting Depth & Seed Sowing
Fall Sowing: Recommended in warmer climates (USDA Zones 8-11), allowing seeds to naturally stratify and germinate in spring.
Spring Sowing: In cooler regions (USDA Zones 3-7), sow after the last frost date.
Scarification: Not required.
Stratification: Not required.
Sow seeds on the soil surface and lightly press them down. Do not bury deeply, as they need light to germinate.
Space seeds 6-12 inches apart to allow room for growth.
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy until germination occurs (usually 7-21 days).
Once established, water moderately—about 1 inch per week during dry spells.
Maintenance & Growth
Pinch back young seedlings to encourage bushier growth and more blooms.
Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming.
Can reseed itself but is not considered invasive.


2. Starting Seeds Indoors for Spring Transplanting
Seed Preparation
Stratification: Not required.
Scarification: Not required.
Start seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
Sowing Indoors
Use seed-starting trays filled with light, well-draining potting mix.
Sow seeds on the surface and gently press them into the soil. Do not cover with soil, as they need light to germinate.
Light & Temperature Requirements
Place trays in a bright location with 12-16 hours of light daily (grow lights or a sunny window).
Maintain temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C).
Germination occurs in 7-21 days.
Transplanting Outdoors
Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.
Transplant after the last frost date, spacing plants 6-12 inches apart.
Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil.


Maintenance & Growth Control
Watering: Water regularly but avoid overwatering; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Pruning: Pinch back stems for a bushier plant.
Deadheading: Regular removal of faded flowers encourages continued blooming.
Mulching: Apply a light mulch layer to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Invasiveness: Phlox drummondii is not invasive but may reseed itself under ideal conditions

Annual Phlox Red Seeds - Vibrant Summer Blooms (Phlox drummondii)
Phlox drummondii
Annual Phlox - Red

Native Plant Map

Dark Green indicates the plant is native within the state,
yellow rare, the lime green indicates where the plant is native and seen more within a state.

Map Credits BONAP©2024

Frequently asked questions

Why didn't my seeds germinate?

Most of the time, the seeds aren't dead. They're waiting. Many native wildflowers have built-in dormancy that keeps them from sprouting until they've been through a winter. If they skip that cold, moist period, they can sit in the soil and do nothing. Other common causes:

  • Planted too deep. Many native seeds are tiny and need light to germinate. Press them onto the soil surface instead of burying them.
  • The soil dried out. Seeds need steady moisture for the first few weeks after they start to wake up.
  • Not enough time. Some natives sprout within weeks. Others take a full season or longer, and a few come up the following spring.
  • Competition. Weeds and turf grass can crowd out seedlings before you notice them.

If your seeds haven't come up, don't dig up or till the area. Mark the spot, keep the weeds down, and give it another season. Many "failed" plantings fill in the next spring.

When is the best time to plant native seeds?

For most native wildflowers, late fall through early winter is the best time. Sowing then copies what happens in nature: the seeds drop in autumn, go through winter cold and moisture, and sprout when the soil warms in spring. Plant after your first hard frost, so the seeds don't sprout early and get killed by the cold.

If you miss fall, you can still plant in spring. Seeds that need a cold period will do better if you cold stratify them first. Mix them with damp sand or vermiculite, seal them in a labeled bag, and keep them in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 days before sowing. Check each seed's product page or packet QR code for its own instructions, since needs vary by species.

Why aren't my native plants blooming in the first year?

That's normal. Most native perennials put their first year or two into building deep roots, not flowers. Those roots are what make native plants tough, drought-tolerant, and long-lived once they're established. A common rule of thumb is "first year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap." Be patient, keep weeds under control, and let the plants settle in. The blooms are worth the wait.

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