Phlox divaricata

Common Names

Woodland Phlox, Blue Phlox, Wild Blue Phlox, Wild Sweet William, Louisiana Phlox, Wood Phlox

Summary

Phlox divaricata is a native eastern North American woodland perennial that forms mats or colonies, spreading by creeping rhizomes or stolons to create a ground-covering carpet, it typically grows about 12–18 inches tall with opposite lance-shaped leaves, and it bears fragrant five-petaled flowers in shades of blue to lavender, occasionally pink or white, arranged in loose clusters at stem tips from spring into early summer, for cultivation, it prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, tolerating a range of soils including clay; it is hardy in USDA zones 3a–8b, maintenance includes deadheading after flowering and mulch to retain moisture, it can be propagated by division, stem cuttings, or root cuttings, or by seed after 4–6 weeks of cold stratification, making it a versatile addition to woodland gardens, shade borders, naturalized areas, and as ground cover for shady areas, it attracts pollinators including bees, butterflies, and moths

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-18 inches

Spread

12-18 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade, tolerates full sun in cooler climates, can grow in full shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Light blue

Bloom Time

Spring to early Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow-growing; spreads slowly over time.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Stem cuttings, Root cuttings, Basal cuttings, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators