With many people having smaller areas to garden in, demand for shorter Phlox is at an all-time high. A couple of breeders have been working hard to develop such varieties, and Jan is up there with the best of them.

His crossings may actually contain genes from a number of species, but their paniculata style habit suggests much influence from that species, while strong growth and resistance to mildew attack bely desirable qualities crossed in from other species.

Despite the short stature of these plants, their flowers are as big as, if not bigger than, those of taller plants and they form just as large clusters.

The folowing varieties are just becoming available. Although not sold with the Darwin PlantSpotters label there's a good chance that retailers who stock Darwin PlantSpotters varieties may have these too.

 
                       Phlox 'Candy Floss'

P. 'Candy Floss' grows to 20"/50cm tall. Its name is the UK equivalent of the American 'Cotton Candy'. This variety was introduced in 2006.
Jan's 2007 Darwin PlantSpotters introduction P. 'Peppermint Twist' is a mutation of this variety.

Phlox 'Classic Cassis'

P. 'Classis Cassis' grows to 20"/ 50cm with mauve flowers. Available from 2007.

Phlox 'Ferris Wheel'

P. 'Ferris Wheel' has particularly large flowers with a distinct dark eye. It grows to a height of 24"/ 60cm. Available from 2006.

Phlox 'Fondant Fancy'

P. 'Fondant Fancy' has strong pink flowers (like fondant icing) with dark eyes. Grows to 20"/ 50cm. Available from 2007.

Phlox 'Grenadine Dream'

P. 'Grenadine Dream' has vibrant near-red flowers and grows to 20"/ 50cm. Available from 2007.

 
                    Phlox 'Wendy House'

Phlox 'Wendy House' grows to just 20"/ 50cm tall and has sumptuous purple flowers. Available from 2006.