Red Riding Hood - Tall Phlox

Red Riding Hood is a named garden phlox grown for red summer flowers. It suits a sunny or partly shaded perennial border, and its fragrant flowers are useful in mixed plantings and cut-flower gardens. ## Flowers and landscape use Walters Gardens lists a profile size of 22 inches tall by 16–20 inches wide. A Chicago Botanic Garden cultivar trial recorded 36 inches tall by 34 inches wide, so published mature-size reports vary; allow room for a larger clump in favorable conditions. The trial recorded red flowers from mid-July to mid-September. Walters lists hardiness zones 4–8, while NC State gives USDA zones 4a–8b for the species. [Walters Gardens exact selection profile](https://www.waltersgardens.com/variety.php?ID=PHLRR) · [Chicago Botanic Garden cultivar trial](https://www.chicagobotanic.org/downloads/planteval_notes/no35_phloxpaniculata.pdf) · [NC State Extension plant profile](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/phlox-paniculata/) ## Growing conditions Plant in full sun or partial shade with average moisture and fertile, well-drained soil. Acidic to neutral soil is suitable. Phlox paniculata benefits from good spacing and air circulation, particularly in humid climates, and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. ## Maintenance Water during dry summer weather and avoid overhead irrigation. Remove faded flower panicles to keep the border tidy. Cut stems back after flowering season and clear diseased foliage to reduce powdery mildew carryover.