'Jeana' phlox has been voted Perennial Plant of the Year for 2024 by the Perennial Plant Association, which annually singles out a perennial that's beautiful, low maintenance and suitable across many growing regions. 'Jeana' is a cultivar of the tall, North America–native garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) that blooms in the second half of summer. 'Jeana' is lauded for its resistance to powdery mildew and its profuse, vibrant flowers. These are valuable to butterflies. 'Jeana' was the top butterfly-attractor in a phlox trial performed at Delaware's Mt. Cuba Center. In fact 'Jeana' was the overall top-performing phlox in that trial.
Related: Did you miss the 2023 Perennial Plant of the Year? It was 'American Gold Rush' black-eyed Susan.
Common name: 'Jeana' phlox
Botanical name: Phlox paniculata 'Jeana'
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Flowers: Bright purple-pink, fragrant flowers appear from midsummer to autumn. The individual florets are small but profuse and held in large, rounded clusters. The tubular shape of the florets appeals to butterflies. Deadheading will prolong the bloom time.
Related: Read about butterfly-attracting Asclepias tuberosa, the 2017 Perennial Plant of the Year, and pollinator-loving lesser calamint, the 2021 Perennial Plant of the Year.
Foliage: Long, narrow, pointed leaves are dark green in color. They are most dense at the base of the plant and occur at longer intervals near the top of the stem. 'Jeana' foliage is not prone to powdery mildew, which can be a problem for similar phlox.
Related: Read about 'Sun King' aralia, the 2020 Perennial Plant of the Year, which was selected for its appealing foliage.
Habit: 'Jeana' phlox is an herbaceous perennial that grows two to four feet tall and up to three feet wide. It has an upright posture and stiff stems that support the flowers well.
Origin: The species Phlox paniculata is native to the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States. Its natural habitat is TK. The cultivar 'Jeana' was found growing in a wild population near Nashville, Tenn., and named for its discoverer, Jeana Prewitt.
How to grow it: Plant 'Jeana' phlox in full sun or part shade, with fertile soil that drains well. This perennial prefers even moisture, so water it in times of drought and mulch around the base of the plant.
Although 'Jeana' resists powdery mildew, take precautions against the disease, including spacing the plants for good air flow; avoiding splashing the leaves when watering; and offering regular irrigation.
Deadhead the spent flowers to prompt more blooms. Divide the plant every few years to promote better blooming and maintain air circulation. USDA Zones 3–8.
Image credit: Michele Dorsey Walfred/CC BY 2.0 DEED
