Wild blue phlox
Phlox divaricata

Family: Polemoniaceae

What it is like

Phlox divaricata is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Indigenous to rich deciduous woodlands, open moist to slightly dry woods, seasonal floodplains, stream banks and open areas near woodland paths.

Eastern North America in Quebec and Ontario, south to Vermont and Florida and west to South Dakota and New Mexico.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

USA

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

A medium density groundcover for shady areas especially with acid soils. Good for woodland gardening. Attractive to butterflies, clearwing moths, and hummingbirds. As a long- lived perennial with fibrous roots it may be good for soil building and erosion control.

Soil conditioner: Plants grown to improve the structure of the soil. See also Green manures.

Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Ground Cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Herbaceous perennial ephemeral wildflower with showy fragrant flowers. USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 9. Soil pH: 5.5 - 7.1. Growth Rate: Moderate. Life Span: Long-Lived Perennial. Stand Persistence: Medium. Form: Upright. Texture: Fine. Sun: bright shade, partial shade, shade. Soil Type: Loamy, Silty. Soil Moisture: Moderate. Minimum Root Depth: 14 inches (0.3m). Root Type: Fibrous Deep. Seasonal Interest: Spring. Flower Color: Blue, Pink, Purple, White. Flood: Sensitive. Salt: Intolerant. Soil Compaction: Moderate. Mowing: Intolerant. Fire Damage: Intolerant. Cold Injury: Infrequent. Disease Issues: Minor. Insect/Pest Damage: Minor. Bloom Time: Spring - Early Summer. Plants tolerate clay loam, sand, acid or alkaline pH, heat, drought, part sun and dry shade. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. Evergreen. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots. Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit

Propagating it: Propagate by division in fall or spring. Propagate by basal cuttings in spring or propagate by root cuttings in early fall or winter.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-9

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Wild blue phlox, woodland phlox, wild sweet william

Synonyms

P. divaricata f. divaricata. P. divaricata var. divaricata