Phlox 'Sugar Stars' Seeds

Phlox drummondii 'Sugar Stars' is a Hardy Annual (H3). It completes its entire life cycle in one glorious season, focusing all its energy into a non-stop display of scented, star-shaped blooms.

Superior Performance: This variety is a Fleuroselect Winner, an international award given only to plants that have been proven in trial grounds to have superior garden performance, better colour stability, and more flower power than older varieties.

Scented Beauty: While many annuals are grown purely for looks, 'Sugar Stars' carries a lovely, sweet almond fragrance that is particularly noticeable on warm, still summer evenings in the UK.

Annual Phlox is straightforward to grow, but it has one specific requirement: the seeds need total darkness to germinate.

How to Sow:
Sow indoors from March to May. Sow seeds on the surface of moist seed compost and cover them completely with a thin layer of compost or vermiculite. To ensure total darkness, you can place a piece of cardboard over the tray until they sprout. Keep at 18-20°C. Germination typically takes 10-21 days.

Where to Plant:
Plant out in May or June after the risk of frost has passed. They love full sun but appreciate soil that stays somewhat moist. In the UK, if the soil dries out completely during a heatwave, they may stop flowering, so mulch well and water during dry spells.

Ongoing Care:
The Pinch Trick: When seedlings are about 10cm tall, pinch out the growing tip (the very top set of leaves). This encourages the plant to branch out, creating a much bushier, more flower-filled plant. Deadhead spent flower clusters regularly to keep the "stars" appearing until the first frosts.

The violet-blue tones of 'Sugar Stars' pair beautifully with zesty greens and frothy whites from our range:

• 🍋 Larkspur 'Limelight Mix': The Fresh Contrast. The zesty lime-green and white spikes of Larkspur provide elegant height behind the low, bushy Phlox, making the indigo stars really "pop."
• ☁️ Gypsophila 'Covent Garden': The Cloud Effect. Mixing the structured stars of the Phlox with the frothy white clouds of Gypsophila creates a dreamy, romantic display that looks like a slice of the night sky.

Sow indoors in spring for a scented display from July until the first frosts.