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This plant showed up in our garden this spring. It just began blooming a couple days ago.

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Here are buds, getting ready.

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Is this some kind of phlox? The plant itself is about 2 1/2 feet tall and looks quite civilized.

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You guessed right! This is Phlox paniculata, or tall phlox.

Characteristics:

  • Opposite leaves
  • Slightly pubescent stems/leaves
  • Lance-shaped (lanceolata) leaves
  • Inflorescence: cyme
  • 5 petals
  • Rotate/stellate petal placement
  • Herbaceous perennial
  • Height (2-3 1/2 feet)
  • Habit
  • Everything else :)

These grow wild in my woods, but there are many cultivars developed for garden use. That is a very nice volunteer plant, and I know a good many people who would be envious of such a healthy volunteer specimen in their garden.

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  • I like that term volunteer. This particular bed is much happier this year after I cut back a lot of rampaging English ivy.
    – orangejewelweed
    Commented Jul 13, 2014 at 20:58

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