1 / 3Key characteristics
- Family
- Polemoniaceae
- Height
- 22–26 inches
- Width
- 30–36 inches
- Flower color
- Near white with a dark pink central star pattern, giving an overall light pink appearance
- Foliage color
- Dark green and glossy
- Bloom time
- Early summer to early fall
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming; prune back in early spring
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4–8
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
Perennials
Phlox 'Opening Act Pink-a-Dot'
Opening Act Pink-a-Dot Hybrid Garden Phlox
Phlox 'Opening Act Pink-a-Dot' is a hybrid cultivar that blooms from early to mid-summer, producing near-white flowers with a dark pink central star pattern. The overall appearance of the flowers is light pink, and if spent flowers are sheared back, the plant may rebloom into early fall. Native to North America, this phlox is part of the Opening Act series, known for its early blooming and disease resistance.
Works well in
- Borders
- Cottage Gardens
- Pollinator Gardens
- Hummingbird Gardens
Companion plants
Lady's mantle · Hellebores · Hardy geraniums · Hostas · Ferns · Astilbes
Design tip
Late flowers extend the season, so set it behind or beside plants that finish in midsummer. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Center for Urban Horticulture.
More perennials
Helleborus x hybridus 'Fire and Ice'
Fire and Ice Lenten Rose
Blooms white to pale pink petals edged with magenta to deep pink/red margins (picotee)
Part shade to light shade

Syneilesis x hybrida
Shredded Umbrella Plant
Blooms pale pink to white
Partial shade to full shade

Paeonia lactiflora 'Joker'
Joker Peony
Blooms opens rich, deep pink and matures to white with pink picotee edges
Full sun to partial shade

Achillea millefolium 'Alabaster'
Alabaster Yarrow
Blooms creamy white to soft pink, flat-topped clusters
Full sun