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Phlox pilosa is often confused with:
Hesperis matronalis Hesperis matronalis
Phlox glaberrima Flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Phlox subulata Phlox subulata
Verbena canadensis Verbena canadensis
Viola pedata Viola pedata
Phlox pilosa has some common insect problems:
Phlox Plant Bug and Other Lopidea Plant Bugs
Phlox pilosa has some other problems:
Cottontail Rabbit

Phlox pilosa

Phonetic Spelling
FLAH-ks pil-OH-suh
Description

Downy phlox is a long-blooming, herbaceous perennial wildflower in the phlox family (Polemoniaceae). It is native to North America. The specific epithet pilosa means hairy and refers to the soft white hairs on the stems, leaves and corolla tubes. 

Downy phlox grows in full sun to partial shade and in most soil types. It is tolerant of dry soil but a summer mulch is recommended to keep the root zone cool. Its rhizomes form clumps that allow it to spread easily, growing 1 to 2 feet tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. Only a medium amount of maintenance is required to prevent it from spreading into unwanted areas. Propagate through stem or root cuttings or by seed.

The flowers are showy pale pink to lavender, fragrant and extremely attractive to butterflies. There are nine subspecies of this species. Phlox pilosa ssp. pilosa is widespread and the only one native to North Carolina's Piedmont and coastal plain. It is distinguished from the other subspecies by glandular hairs in the inflorescence. 

Downy phlox is excellent for sunny meadows or woodland areas. Use it also in small drifts in rock, cottage, butterfly, pollinator, native or drought-tolerant gardens. 

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Downy phlox has no serious insect or disease problems although hot, dry conditions can promote spider mite infestations. It has resistance to powdery mildew.

VIDEO Created by Homegrown featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum 

 

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Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#pink flowers#mulch#nectar plant#cottage garden#specialized bees#fire low flammability#NC native#well-drained soil#rhizomes#lavender flowers#thickets#naturalizes#rock garden#native wildflower#prairies#sandhills#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#roadside#perennial#wildflower#wildlife friendly#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#pink flowers#mulch#nectar plant#cottage garden#specialized bees#fire low flammability#NC native#well-drained soil#rhizomes#lavender flowers#thickets#naturalizes#rock garden#native wildflower#prairies#sandhills#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#roadside#perennial#wildflower#wildlife friendly#meadow
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Phlox
    Species:
    pilosa
    Family:
    Polemoniaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Meskwaki Indians used an infusion of leaves to cure and purify the blood, and as a wash for eczema. They also used a compound containing the root used as a 'love medicine'.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Distribution:
    Connecticut south to Florida, west to eastern North Dakota, south to Oklahoma and Texas and to the Coahuila state of Mexico
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Its flowers attract bees, butterflies, and Cloudwing skippers. Bees include bumblebees, Anthophorine bees, little carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), and green metallic bees (Agapostemon spp.) Butterflies include American Painted Lady, Sulfur, and Swallowtail butterflies, Rabbits, deer, and groundhogs will eat the foliage.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Papery, oval 1/8 inch seed capsule which breaks into 3 sections and will split open when dry and explosively discharge the seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Each fragrant, tubular, pink to pale purple flowers (to 3/4” diameter) has a long corolla tube and five flat petal-like lobes. Corolla tubes are often covered with soft white hairs, (pilosa means soft-hairy). Florets are loosely packed in rounded terminal clusters (cymes). Downy phlox blooms May to July with occasional rebloom in the fall.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are opposite, widely-spaced, sharp-pointed, stalkless, deep green, with prominent central veins and often finely pubescent. The lower leaves are linear, while the upper leaves are lanceolate.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Fire