Reprinted from 2024 PPOY – Perennial Plant Association
‘Jeana’ is an exceptional garden phlox renowned for its impressive flower show, tall sturdy habit, and pollinator-friendliness. Dense, domed trusses crown stiff stems from midsummer to early fall. Individually, the fragrant lavender-pink flowers are significantly smaller than typical garden phlox — only about half an inch wide — but the show at peak is eye-popping, nonetheless. This is a case where bigger is not better, from a pollinator’s perspective anyhow. In trials at Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware, the nectar-rich flowers of ‘Jeana’ attracted more butterflies — Eastern Tiger Swallowtails were especially plentiful — than any other garden phlox in their study. Hummingbirds and other pollinators are fans too.
Topped with flowers, ‘Jeana’ can reach five feet tall and four feet wide, although size will vary geographically. Its bright green leaves are highly resistant to powdery mildew, so ‘Jeana’ has a striking summer look with or without flowers.
Tall garden phlox provide structure and color in summer gardens and are good bridging plants between early and later flowering perennials. ‘Jeana’ is at home in traditional borders and meadows and is a natural in pollinator gardens. Mix ‘Jeana’ with other tall perennials such as bluestars (Amsonia), Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum ×superbum), and switch grasses (Panicum virgatum). Or let its handsome foliage be the backdrop for shorter companions such as coneflowers (Echinacea), alliums (Allium), and woodland sages (Salvia nemorosa).
The Perennial Plant of the Year® (PPOY) program began in 1990 to showcase a perennial that is a standout among its competitors. Perennials chosen are suitable for a wide range of growing climates, require low maintenance, have multiple-season interest, and are relatively pest/disease-free. If you are looking for an excellent perennial for your next landscape project or something reliable for your gardens, make sure to check out the Perennial Plant of the Year® archive list.
Since the Perennial Plant of the Year® was introduced in 1990, the Perennial Plant Association has received frequent inquiries about how the Perennial Plant of the Year® is selected. The selection process is quite simple – PPA members vote for the Perennial Plant of the Year® each summer. At that time, in addition to the vote, each member may also nominate up to two plants for future consideration. The Perennial Plant of the Year® committee reviews the nominated perennials (more than 400 different perennials are often nominated each year) and selects 3 or 4 perennials to be placed on the ballot.
Nominations generally need to satisfy the following criteria:
- Suitability for a wide range of climatic conditions
- Low-maintenance requirements
- Relative pest- and disease-resistance
- Ready availability in the year of promotion
- Multiple seasons of ornamental interest
PLANT DATA
Hardiness
USDA Zones 3 to 8
Canadian Hardiness Zones 3 to 8
AHS Heat Zones 4 to 9
Light
Full sun; afternoon shade in hot climates
Size
36-60 inches tall
36-48 inches wide
Origin
‘Jeana’ was discovered growing along the Harpeth River near Nashville, Tennessee and was named for its discoverer, Jeana Prewitt.
Soil
Moist, fertile, well-drained soils. Avoid dry conditions.
Maintenance
Divide clumps every 3-5 years in spring. Deadheading promotes continued bloom and prevents self-seeding, which can produce inferior seedlings. Powdery mildew and spider mites may be foliar problems in hot or dry conditions. Thinning out stems to improve air circulation may guard against mildew. Deer and rabbits can be pests.
Grower Notes
- Schedule similar to other Phlox paniculata cultivars.
- For early spring sales, best potted early fall and overwintered as slow to bulk in
spring. Ensure better branching / fuller gallon with an early pinch on any pot with
fewer than 3 shoots. - Does not require vernalization to flower; pot in spring and summer for
summer and fall sales, respectively. Late spring / early summer pruning results
in bench-friendly bloom height. - Grower-friendly: powdery mildew resistant with no special media, fertilizer, or
water requirements for finishing!
