Phlox glaberrima ‘Morris Berd’ (Marsh Phlox) Unity Grown

‘Morris Berd’ is a showy, pink-flowering cultivar of Phlox glaberrima, also called smooth phlox, a species which is found throughout the American southeast, and which has some controversy over its naming conventions and its taxonomy. According to Mt. Cuba Center, the ‘Morris Berd’ cultivar is an example of Phlox glaberrima ssp. triflora, which differs greatly from other smooth phloxes due to its bloom behavior. Whatever the truth may be about the ‘Morris Berd’ cultivar’s confusing background, what is certain is the plant’s ornamental and ecological appeal. Attractive to pollinators, highly resistant to powdery mildew, and possessing semi-evergreen foliage, ‘Morris Berd’ is sure to perform well and put on an excellent show from early spring well on through the full summer, since deadheading spent flowers can encourage reblooms again and again.

Phlox glaberrima ‘Morris Berd’ grows to 1-2’ tall and wide, and its profuse pink flowers attract bees, butterflies, and a hug variety of other pollinators, as well as gardeners, since its beautiful and profuse blooms are also mildly fragrant. ‘Morris Berd’ grows well in full sun to partial shade, and prefers medium-moist, fertile soils; this cultivar is not drought tolerant, and requires consistent moisture through summer dry spells. Though deer tolerant, phlox flowers will still be eaten by rabbits, so care should be taken with choosing an appropriate planting location to add these beautiful blooms to your garden. Phlox glaberrima ‘Morris Berd’ earned a score of 4.3 out of a possible 5 points in the Mt. Cuba Center Trial gardens for full-sun phlox (6th place overall), where it was noted for its attractive mounding growth and erosion control capabilities.