The only one I have had is Goldmine, planted it 3 times & it died 3 times.

I've never been that fond of Nora Leigh. The foliage is pretty, the flowers are pretty, but in my humble opinion, they don't really get along that well together.
But, and it's a big but, Nora Leigh flourishes in a very dry garden without a speck of additional water in poor, rocky, unamended soil, and has held her own against Lysimachia clethroides and a few other rambunctious growers. Plus, I have never seen a speck of mildew on it, even when mildew has affected other phlox nearby.
I prefer the variegation of Becky Towe (gold and green versus Nora Leigh's white and green foliage) and it's flowers are stunning - a vivid salmon colour with a deep magenta eye - which hold their own against the foliage. Also mildew resistant.
I have Goldmine coming in this year.

I concur with previous poster about NL being not succeptible to PM and somewhat drough resistant....and it glow in a dark...

{{gwi:200700}}

I 've had two Nora Leigh for three years and I love them. They are in full sun, dryish spot with plenty of wind and air circulation. They've never had a mildew problem.

They get bigger every year so far. The plant in the photos is about four feet tall. The Spicebush Swallowtail is enjoying some nectar.

{{gwi:200701}}

{{gwi:200702}}

ego45 and terrene----those pictures are beautiful! Wow! But 4 ft. tall! I was thinking 2 to 3 ft. tall for the varigated ones. Is 4ft. typical? Thanks soooo much for the pictures. It truly does look as though it glows in the dark!

Height can be controlled by pruning. I prune all my Phlox paniculatas like a photo of a class on risers: short in front and sides, taller in back. Traci DiSabato Aust's book "The Well Tended Perennial Garden" has an excellent explanation and how-to.

Aunt lou - no joke, that baby was four feet tall. However, Franz Shubert, which is a beauty too, is about 2 1/2 feet and my Harlequin is barely growing! I think that Nora Leigh is a very hardy cultivar.

The only pruning I did on the Nora Leigh was to thin out a few stalks so that there would be better air circulation through the plant. Doesn't look like I did though.

All of my Phlox is growing in a location of full sun and tons of wind (NW exposure). It is also drier than what I've read is recommended for Phlox paniculata. But they are thriving and none of them had any mildew.

I plan to add a "David" and also the native species to the garden as well. That becky Towe sounds beautiful too. I love Phlox paniculata!

Oh yeah! Pruning! Thanks, entling. That should work. I have these huge asters at the back of the bed---one is blue[maybe Bluebird] and 2 Alma Pottchke[sp?]. Alma P. is not suppose to get 4ft. tall--- I don't think ----but she does and she is so beautiful that I don't mind. I think that a couple of the varigated paniculatas will be a nice contrast kind of in between and to the front of these big asters.
Thanks so much for all of the in put everybody!
Aunt Lou

I have seen Harlequin in catalogs, and that's the one I want to try. Have you seen it?

Here is a link that might be useful: harlequin phlox

Gotta love both "Becky Towe" and "Harlequin"! "Goldmine" is one I've had my eye out for, though have not yet been able to track down. Although, I have "Nora Leigh", it really isn't a favorite. Terry

{{gwi:196197}}

{{gwi:196198}}

Twrosz, is that Harlequin in your photos? It looks like the Harlequin I have, only yours is much bigger. Mine hasn't grown well - although I have moved it twice, and apparently it's not happy about that.

Harlequin does have a gorgeous gold and green variegation in the foliage.

ooooooooohhhh!!! Harlequin is gorgeous! Where can you get one? I need me one of those! :-] That may be the prettiest yet.

Aunt Lou

"Becky Towe" is the top photo and "Harlequin" below.

Terrene, these plants need rich moist garden soil and dividing every few years to keep their vigor up, otherwise they kinda runt out on ya."Harlequin" doesn't show alot of foliage coloration early in the spring, but later it's a real beauty!

Aunt Lou, I'm in Canada, though I think it shouldn't be too difficult to find "Harlequin" there in the States. It's definitely worth the search!

Terry

Hi! Ive had "Nora Leigh" for about three years now. It hasnt performed very well for me, which is surprising since my other phlox are doing great. I have say that it is definantly not spectacular. I think that its light colored flowers just dont pop against the gorgeous foliage like other variegated phlox do.
CMK

"I think that its light colored flowers just dont pop against the gorgeous foliage like other variegated phlox do." .... yep, I'd have to agree about those comments regarding "Nora Leigh".

Terry