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Phlox

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Description

Phlox is a genus with a great diversity in growth form, with a height varying between 3 to 6 inches for Phlox subulata to 5 feet tall for Phlox paniculata. They may grow in a low, mounding form, a spreading woodland phlox or tall, upright phlox. Most are herbaceous or semi-woody perennials, but a few are annuals. The larger species grow in moist, open habitats of eastern and central North America (including southern Canada). Small to medium varieties may grow in forests and in semi-arid and alpine habitats. Flowers vary in color from blue to pink to red and white and may bloom in spring, summer, or fall. They will grow in moderately fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade.

Phlox are known for abundant blooms and a light fragrance and will frequently reseed in favorable growing conditions, which may vary from sun to shade to soil conditions, depending on the species.

The genus name, Phlox, is from the Greek word phlox and means "flame." This refers to the vibrant flower color of some of the varieties.

 

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Flower Bonanza Garden Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Crevice Garden Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Bog Garden Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Parking Lot Berms Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Part Sun-Part Shade Garden Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Souto Sun Garden Four-Season Garden Border Landscape Pinewild County Club, Moore County
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Bedazzled Pink', Phlox carolina, Phlox digitalis 'Bedazzled Lavender', Phlox divaricata, Phlox drummondii, Phlox glaberrima, Phlox INTENSIA® Group, Phlox maculata, Phlox nivalis, Phlox paniculata, Phlox pilosa, Phlox stolonifera, Phlox subulata, 'Wanda'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#small spaces#white flowers#easy to grow#pink flowers#red flowers#native perennial#colorful#spring flowers#riparian#cottage garden#upright form#small mammals#moist soil#mounding#NC native#well-drained soil#creeping#summer flowers#lavender flowers#children's garden#native garden#rock garden#self-seeding#cutting garden#native groundcover#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#native annual#NC Native Pollinator Plant#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#black walnut toxicity tolerant#rabbit browsing plant#container plant#dense growth#moth friendly#th-smell#woodland#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Bedazzled Pink', Phlox carolina, Phlox digitalis 'Bedazzled Lavender', Phlox divaricata, Phlox drummondii, Phlox glaberrima, Phlox INTENSIA® Group, Phlox maculata, Phlox nivalis, Phlox paniculata, Phlox pilosa, Phlox stolonifera, Phlox subulata, 'Wanda'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#small spaces#white flowers#easy to grow#pink flowers#red flowers#native perennial#colorful#spring flowers#riparian#cottage garden#upright form#small mammals#moist soil#mounding#NC native#well-drained soil#creeping#summer flowers#lavender flowers#children's garden#native garden#rock garden#self-seeding#cutting garden#native groundcover#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#native annual#NC Native Pollinator Plant#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#black walnut toxicity tolerant#rabbit browsing plant#container plant#dense growth#moth friendly#th-smell#woodland#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Phlox
    Family:
    Polemoniaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Distribution:
    Alaska to New England and south to Mexico and Florida.
    Wildlife Value:
    Phlox attract butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and small mammals.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Creeping
    Dense
    Erect
    Horizontal
    Mounding
    Prostrate
    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
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Dome
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    All species have five sepals, five petals fused, and five stamens that alternate with the lobes of the corolla.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Linear
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Usually have narrow opposite or alternate leaves
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Riparian
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Moths
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Drought
    Erosion
    Heat
    Pollution