Large heads of blue-mauve flowers (the closest to true blue in the species) perfume the surrounding landscape with the sweet scent of garden phlox from July to October. This plant is highly attractive to pollinating insects and hummingbirds but prone to powdery mildew on the leaves during summer. Reduce water on the leaves and plant in a well- aerated area of the garden to impede the progression of this non-fatal disease. It has great use as a cut flower as well.