Late summer has never really been one of my favorite times of year. But there is one thing I look forward to every year: garden phlox. This summer-blooming perennial flower has been a staple in my gardens because of its outstanding color and heavenly fragrance. 

If you've never tried garden phlox, I highly recommend it. The plant produces hydrangea-like flowers in scrumptious shades of purple, pink, red, and white. I used to line my front walkway with them so every evening when I came home from work, I'd be able to enjoy the perfumed-honey scent (and scores of butterflies visiting the flowers; occasionally, I'd even see hummingbirds). 

Garden phlox is easy to grow: All it really needs is a sunny spot and well-drained soil. A North-American native wildflower, it does a great job holding up to bouts of hot, dry weather. Spread a couple of inches of mulch over the soil around it and you may not even have to worry about weeding. 

Written by Justin Hancock