“Flowers that open in pink soon gain a smoky gray tint”: ‘Anna Karenina’ and 6 other stunning fall phlox varieties
Fall phlox captivate with their wide range of colors and delightful fragrance. When planted in the right spot, these perennials are also easy to grow and resilient. Hobbyist grower Leena Klossner’s garden boasts more than a hundred different fall phlox varieties. Here are seven lovely varieties from her collection.
1. “Lilac phlox”
Phlox paniculata
This robust heritage phlox is commonly referred to by an unofficial name, as its blooms resemble lilac. They can be white or bluish-lilac, growing over 1 m (3 ft) tall.
2. Fall phlox ‘Kirchenfürst’
Phlox paniculata
This sturdy variety stands out with its unusual cherry-red color. Bred in Germany (1936), it grows to 80–100 cm (31–39 in).
3. Fall phlox ‘Europa’
Dating back to 1910, this German variety is the oldest European cultivar. It grows to about 100 cm (39 in).
4. Fall phlox ‘Venets’
This showy, large-flowered variety produces dense clusters of two-toned blooms, which shift in color as flowering progresses. Height about 80 cm (31 in).
5. Fall phlox ‘Romantika’
Introduced in 21st-century Russia, this variety offers pale pink blooms with raspberry-red centers. Height about 70 cm (28 in).
7. Fall phlox ‘Anna Karenina’
These flowers open in pink then quickly develop a smoky gray tint. Height about 80 cm (31 in).
8. Fall phlox ‘Ocharovatelnye Glazki’
Its pure white blooms have a pinpoint violet eye at the center, forming a dense, conical cluster. Height about 100 cm (39 in).
