How to identify Garden phlox 'David' (Phlox paniculata 'David')

How to identify Garden phlox 'David' (Phlox paniculata 'David')

Garden phlox 'David', also known as Summer phlox 'David'

Garden phlox 'David' exhibits a robust, upright form, reaching heights of up to 4 feet (1.2 meters). This perennial features an impressive display of pure white blooms, which aggregate in large, dense clusters at the stem's apex. Each individual flower emits a notable fragrance, contributing to the plant's charm. The blossom period extends from the heart of the summer season through to the early fall, particularly if timely deadheading practices are employed to encourage continuous flowering. The leaves of garden phlox 'David' are deep green, providing a rich backdrop for the radiant floral arrays.

Lifespan: Perennial, Annual

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Garden phlox 'David'

Robust plant reaching 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall.

Densely packed tubular white flowers in pyramidal clusters.

Explosive dehiscence of dry capsules for seed release.

Lance-shaped leaves with prominent parallel veins.

Stiff, upright stems with minimal branching, no staking needed.

Detailed Traits of Garden phlox 'David'

Leaf Features

The leaves of garden phlox 'David' are lance-shaped, measuring 3-5 inches (7.6-12.7 cm) in length. They taper to a sharp point and exhibit a vivid green color. The texture is smooth with a slightly glossy finish, and the veins are prominently parallel, contributing to their distinct linear pattern. The leaves grow in an opposite arrangement along the stems, and their overall form is narrow and elongated, contributing to the elegant appearance of garden phlox 'David'.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

Garden phlox 'David' features panicles of densely packed tubular white flowers. Each individual flower is small, measuring 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) in diameter and composed of five petals. The flower clusters are pyramidal and can span 6 to 10 inches long (15 to 25 cm). They bloom in mid to late summer through fall. The arrangement and abundant formation of these fragrant white flowers make garden phlox 'David' a standout choice for floral displays.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stems of garden phlox 'David' are stiff and upright, reaching heights of up to 4 feet (120 cm). They exhibit a smooth texture and are generally green in color, with occasional slight reddish tinges. The stems are relatively thick and robust, allowing them to support the plant without the need for staking. Minimal branching is noted, contributing to the plant's upright growth habit. These characteristics make the stems a distinctive feature of garden phlox 'David' and easily recognizable.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of garden phlox 'David' is a longitudinally dehiscent capsule, characterized by three or more valves that can sometimes separate explosively. This capsule tends to elongate as it matures and then splits open to release seeds. Typically, it measures around 0.4 inches (1 cm) in length. This unique dehiscence mechanism aids in seed dispersal, making it distinct among flowering plants.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.