Wild Blue Phlox
| Botanic name |
Phlox divaricata |
| Also known as | Wild Blue Phlox, Woodland Phlox, Wild Sweet William |
| Bloom color | blue, blue-violet showy, fragrant flowers |
| Bloom time |
April - June |
| Height | 12-15” tall |
| Growth habit | spreading root system forming a compact mat of foliage |
| Light | part shade to light, dappled shade in woodland and open woodland areas |
| Soil | medium to moist but well drained; tolerates a wide rang of soils from sandy loam to clay loam; a light summer mulch of ground up leaves helps retain moisture and keep roots cool |
| Uses | attractive in woodland gardens, native plant gardens or naturalized areas, rock gardens, front of border. Can be used as a ground cover. To provide a diverse environment, plant with other native woodland wildflowers such as Wild Columbine, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Goat’s Beard, Wild Ginger, Wild Geranium, Virginia Bluebells, Jacob’s Ladder, Bloodroot, Christmas Fern, Dutchman’s Breeches. |
| Attracts | butterflies (especially Tiger Swallowtail), bees, hummingbirds, early spring source of nectar for butterflies and bees |
| Other | Once established requires little or no maintenance. Can be divided by root division when the plant is big enough. Powdery mildew may be a problem in damp, humid weather. Cutting back stems after flowering helps combat mildew. Will go dormant in drought conditions. There are a variety of Phlox divaricata cultivars. For the native plant, ask for Phlox divaricata with no other name added. |
| Photo credit | Albert F. W. Vick |