I'm not familiar with Laura, but my David (white) and Nora Leigh (violet with variegated foliage) are at least a foot shorter than my hollyhocks, and that's without pinching it back in June/early July. My phlox is not invasive at all -- and I've never seen it described that way in books -- so I'm curious to hear from others.

I don't think phlox is invasive.... and remember in a cottage garden not to worry too much..... the phlox would look nice....... so long as the flowers are fairly old fashioned....... they will look nice in the cottage garden look...... and remember some herbs and plants in old pots and vines on old trellises....... :) .....