Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Center of Attention™ Garden Phlox lives up to its name with soft pink flower clusters highlighted by deep raspberry centers that read clearly from a distance. Blooms open in late spring and continue into summer, bringing steady color to borders when many perennials begin to slow down. The compact, upright habit tops out around 18 to 24 inches tall, making it easier to place than taller, floppy garden phlox. Clean green foliage supports the flowers and keeps the plant attractive even between bloom cycles. Phlox paniculata ‘Balphlxpin290’ USPPAF is one of our go-to choices for adding strong color contrast without overwhelming nearby plants.
This North American native perennial is lightly fragrant and a magnet for butterflies and other pollinators. The clump-forming growth stays tidy and works well in mixed borders, cottage gardens, and cut-flower plantings. Deer tend to leave it alone, and the plant handles summer heat better than many older phlox selections. Center of Attention™ also performs nicely in large containers where airflow can be managed more easily.
Center of Attention™ Garden Phlox Care
Plant Center of Attention™ Garden Phlox in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sun per day) for best flowering performance. It prefers soil that holds moisture evenly without staying soggy, especially during active growth and flowering. Loamy garden soils enriched with organic matter work well, with a soil pH between about 6.0 and 7.0. Even moisture supports fuller flower heads and helps reduce stress during hot spells, while overhead watering should be avoided to keep foliage clean. A spring application of compost or a balanced fertilizer supports steady growth through the season.
Remove spent flower clusters as they fade to encourage continued blooming and maintain a neat appearance. In late fall, cut stems back to ground level and remove debris from the planting area. Thinning crowded stems in spring can further improve airflow and flower quality. Container-grown plants may need more frequent attention during extended heat, as pots warm and dry faster than garden beds.
Center of Attention™ Garden Phlox Spacing
Space Center of Attention™ Garden Phlox about 16 to 18 inches apart to give each plant room to develop a full clump. This spacing works well for borders and mass plantings while supporting good air circulation. For containers, choose a pot at least 14 to 16 inches wide with enough depth to support the root system.
Center of Attention™ Garden Phlox Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 9 |
| Light Exposure: Full Sun (6+ hrs/day) |
| Mature Height: 18 - 24 Inches |
| Mature Spread: 14 - 16 Inches |
| Spacing: 16 - 18 Inches |
| Bloom Time: Late Spring to Summer |
| Flower Color(s): Pink with Raspberry Centers |
| Flower Description: Clusters of pink flowers with bold raspberry centers |
| Common Name: Center of Attention Garden Phlox |
| Botanical Name: Phlox paniculata ‘Balphlxpin290’ USPPAF |
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2026. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 30th |
| Zone 9 | March 30th |
| Zone 8 | April 6th |
| Zone 7 | April 13th |
| Zone 6b | April 20st |
| Zone 6a | April 27th |
| Zone 5b | May 4th |
| Zone 5a | May 11th |
| Zone 4 | May 18th |
| Zone 3 | May 25th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!