Product Description
Phlox 'Opening Act Pink-a-Dot' PP31732 CPBRAF (25) Bare Root Plants
Opening Act Series
Common Name: Hybrid Phlox
Joining the popular Opening Act series is a new color pattern that is sure to please you early in the season. 'Opening Act Pink-a-Dot' has near white flowers with a dark pink, central star pattern appear from early summer well into midsummer. The overall look of the flowers is light pink. If you sheer the spent flowers back, you can expect some rebloom into early fall.
Tall Garden Phlox are a mainstay in the midsummer sun garden, and this hybrid type will extend the color of Phlox by blooming even earlier; starting in early summer. The dark green, glossy foliage is mildew and disease resistant, an improvement on older varieties of Phlox that don’t hold up as well in the heat and humidity of summer. Plant these in an area with good air circulation and plenty of sunshine for the best performance. With a stoloniferous growth habit, this Phlox will spread slowly over the years.
These perennials are a favorite of gardeners around the world and a staple of North American native gardens. A favorite of pollinators. Phlox is unequaled for its showy blooms over a long period in summer. Though it is one of the most popular perennials available, it does require some maintenance to sustain its health and vigor.
Phlox grows best in rich, moist soil in full sun. It will thrive with fertilizing every other month and consistent moisture levels. Overhead watering should be avoided since some varieties of Phlox are susceptible to powdery mildew. This can be avoided or diminished by providing ample air circulation around the plants and by thinning them out periodically. Deadheading will prolong bloom time and prevent self-seeding.
Height: 22.0-26.0 Inches
Spread: 30.0-36.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8
Flower Color: White Shades / Multicolored
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Average Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer to Late Summer
Rebloomer / Long Blooming
Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Fragrant Flowers, Mass Planting
Unlike traditional garden phlox varieties that typically bloom mid-summer, 'Opening Act Pink-a-Dot' starts its colorful show in early summer, extending the enjoyment of these beautiful flowers. This hybrid garden phlox, part of the Opening Act series, has near-white flowers with a dark pink, central star pattern, creating an overall impression of light pink. It blooms early to mid-summer and may rebloom into early fall if spent flowers are sheared back. The foliage is a dark, glossy green and is mildew and disease resistant. It is native to North America. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the vibrant blooms, as are bees.
To gather information for this article, online resources from reputable nurseries and gardening websites were consulted, including Walters Gardens, Proven Winners Direct, and Great Garden Plants. Images of the cultivar were also examined to confirm its appearance.
Basic Information This cultivar is hardy in zones 4-8. It has an upright habit and reaches a height of 22-26 inches with a spread of 30-36 inches at maturity. It is deer resistant.
Planting and Care Phlox 'Opening Act Pink-a-Dot' grows best in rich, moist, well-drained soil. It can tolerate average to fertile soil. The soil pH should be acidic to neutral. This cultivar prefers full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It can tolerate part sun (4-6 hours of direct sunlight) but may not flower as well. It has average water needs.
Other Care Requirements
- Fertilize every other month with an all-purpose fertilizer.
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming and prevent self-seeding.
- Provide good air circulation to help prevent powdery mildew.
- Thin out mature plants periodically to improve air circulation.
Companion Plants Consider pairing Phlox 'Opening Act Pink-a-Dot' with these companion plants:
- Dianthus 'Paint the Town Fuchsia'
- Festuca 'Blue Whiskers'
- Leucanthemum 'Banana Cream II'
- Salvia 'Crystal Blue'
- Sedum 'Yellow Brick Road'
- Veronica 'Pink Potion'
Phlox 'Opening Act Pink-a-Dot' is a beautiful and easy-to-grow perennial that is perfect for adding color and fragrance to the garden. It is a long-blooming variety that attracts pollinators and is relatively low-maintenance. As a deer-resistant and pollinator-friendly plant with an extended bloom time, 'Opening Act Pink-a-Dot' offers numerous benefits for gardeners. With its vibrant colors and extended bloom time, this cultivar is a great choice for gardeners of all levels, including beginners. It can also be used as a cut flower to bring its beauty indoors.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
