Late last summer I bought Phlox paniculata 'Nicky' at a garden center because it was on sale. It was already in bloom, so I knew what it looked like. When I got home with it, I decided to find out more about it, whether it was mildew prone, how tall it gets, etc. I was so surprised by its description as "dark purple." It looked magenta to me. This year, when it bloomed, I started noticing that the color looked different throughout the day. Finally, I saw it looking "dark purple": the first thing in the morning, after a cool night. I have never seen a flower that was not fading or aging demonstrate such a dramatic change of color. So here, without further ado, I present 'Nicky.'
24 comments:
I like this phlox...the color is super...(now where did I get the impression that you didn't like magenta? Must have made it up.) Is it mildew resistant and how tall shall it get? Where is Mr Nick in your garden, from the photos I am guessing a sunny spot. can you tell I am interested in Nick! MMD, I think you picked a real winner in this phlox.
This is an interesting phlox MMD. I love the shades of purple and magenta. But I have never seen anything like it either. Great pick!
That is a very cool slideshow--bravo. I've seen that phlox at our garden center and was waiting for someone to say they liked it before I tried it.
That's interesting - I sometimes get so disappointed with some plants having not as dark colouring as they should have. But as you say, maybe I have to pick the right moment.
/Katarina
Whoa - I don't have phlox, but I've always admired it from afar. Who knew it changed colors? That is great! Two plants for the price (and space) of one.
You're right. That does scream for a slide show. Good demonstration, MMD.~~Dee
All I can think of is "How great is that?"
Gawjus, as my garden buddy in Vermont says! I love plants that change color as they age. I'll have to check out Nicky and see if he'd be agreeable to growing here on MCOK. Probably not but I can dream!
Gail - Nicky is in a new sunny area created when we took down an Austrian Pine. It is mildew resistant & gets about 3 feet tall, but then I pinch my Phlox. (Boy that sounds kinky!) And yes, I like magenta.
Perennial Gardener - yeah, I think I got a bargain.
Anna - I would recommend this one. It has started blooming way before all the other Phlox paniculata. Of course part of that may be due to the deer chomping on some of the Davids, but not on all of them.
Katarina - siting this one requires a bit of thought, as its neighbors have to look good with it in all its color moods. I'm looking for a good, mildew resistant ruby or maroon Phlox.
Kate - there are so many Phlox cultivars, but this one stands out for its color changing. I think there's another Phlox (maybe Blue Paradise) that also changes color, but I've never actually seen it.
Dee - I think I'm done with the slide shows for a while now. This seemed like the best way to make the point.
Flydragon - you must like magenta!
Sorry, Cindy, it would fry in your garden.
Very well observed and amazing MMD!
A very inventive use of Slide to show the 'morphing' too.
Cool slide show effects! I've never seen a plant that changes color during the day. You are right, though, when you say that color tags are often misleading. I've been disappointed or sometimes pleasantly surprised by many a plant.
Thanks VP! It means a lot coming from a slideshow expert.
Rose - hey, there's a new meme: plants that are a color other than that expected.
It is absolutely amazing to me that these pictures were all taken of the same plant... what fun it must be to have a quick-change artist phlox!
That is beautiful!! Mildew resistant is a definite "plus." Guess I'll be looking into this plant! :-)
Hi MMD,
I swear, between you and Gail, I'm going to be a phlox convert at long last! LOL I'm definitely going to keep my eye out for Nicky, color wise it's right up my alley and the morphing would be a cool bonus too, I think!
Our P. paniculata (thx to Gail I got the proper ID) is just getting going and has really spread aggressively in the "wild bed" this year and some may have to be moved elsewhere, I think.
Hi MMD, you technical skills are a wonder to me. Only surpassed by your gardening The pinching of the phlox is done here some years, it makes for a better, if later show. The magenta color of Nicky is similar to the old fashioned one I got from my neighbors, I need to study for color changing on it. But the height on the old one is nearly six feet, here anyway, if not severely pruned late spring. Is that what you mean by pinching?
Blackswamp Girl - color-morphing is fun & challenging. For a good part of the day it looks absolutely appalling with the nearby Daylily 'Little Grapette.'
Shady - this isn't even my favorite Phlox - yet.
IVG - these Phlox aren't the easiest care plants, but they're worth the bit of effort. They haven't become aggressive spreaders for me. Maybe because out front they're surrounded by much more thuggish plants.
Frances - I'm choking on your comments about my so-called technical skills. Slide shows aren't difficult once you get used to them. By pinching, I mean I cut them back to different heights late in spring, following Traci De Sabato Aust's recommendations. This does prolong the bloom time by staggering it. I have never seen a 6 ft Phlox around here. 4 feet is the tallest & I think that was a 'Robert Poore.'
Barbara, knowing that you don't have enough to do and time weighs heavy on your hands, I've tagged you! My post is at http://texascottagegarden.blogspot.com/2008/07/very-short-sunday-stroll-lets-play-tag.html
I have never had a phlox do this. Interesting plant. I like the slide show too.
Cindy - Hah! Well thanks for thinking of me. Maybe I'll get to it in December. (Need to have something to post about over the winter.)
Lisa - Don't you like magenta? ;^D
I had this amazing plant in my garden once but it succumbed to Phlox eelworm. Mine didn't change colour quite so dramatically as yours though! P. paniculata 'Tenor' performs the same trick turning from deep magenta to an almost scarlet red. (The eelworm got that too!)
Welcome, Catherine Kenny! Eelworms sound too disgusting. I hope I never have to deal with them. Thanks for the info about 'Tenor.' I'm looking for a scarlet/red Phlox to go with 'Black Beauty' Lilies, and magenta looks barfy with them. I had to move 'Nicky' away from them.
Too cool!
I always love it when I come across a blog talking of a plant I am researching. It's a special find that I 'know' the blogger too. Thanks for the info on Nicky. I just purchased five of them at a bargain price of $4 a piece. They are in full bloom and already making a statement. I hope they do well come next year too and I'll be looking for the color change.
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