Phlox drummondii Crème Brûlée – Soft Pastels with a Refined Finish

Phlox drummondii Crème Brûlée brings a beautifully blended palette of peach, buff, cream and dusky-pink blooms. Flowers form generous heads that rise above compact foliage, creating a soft and elegant presence in beds and cutting gardens. The pastel tones pair effortlessly with grasses, cottage garden favourites and deeper accent colours.

Growing Conditions

This variety enjoys full sun to light shade with moist but well-drained soil. Enriching the ground with organic matter helps support strong flowering. Good airflow encourages sturdy stems and maintains healthy foliage.

Planting Guide

Sowing Indoors: February to April. Sow lightly covered (around 1–2 mm) in seed compost at 18–20 °C. Expect germination in 10–21 days.
Transplanting: Pot on when large enough to handle, keeping seedlings bright and cool. Harden off carefully and plant out after frost has passed.
Direct Sowing: April to May, once soil has warmed.
Spacing: Around 25 cm between plants to allow neat, full heads to develop.

Care & Maintenance

Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, especially during settling-in and warm spells.
Feeding: A balanced liquid feed in early growth boosts flowering.
Supporting: Light staking may help in exposed or breezy areas.
Deadheading: Regular removal of faded blooms encourages extended flowering.

Flowering & Cut Flower Tips

Flowering normally begins in June and continues into September. Cut stems when most of the cluster has opened for the best vase life. Freshly conditioned stems hold up well in arrangements and add a soft touch of romance.

Garden Impact

The subtle tones of Crème Brûlée blend seamlessly with perennial borders and cottage styles. Its clusters of nectar-rich blooms attract visiting pollinators, bringing movement and life to garden plantings. Use it to create a gentle colour transition between bolder focal plants.