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Thickleaf Phlox Phlox carolina

Previously known as:

  • Phlox carolina ssp. angusta
Phonetic Spelling
floks kair-oh-LEE-nah
Description

Carolina Phlox, as the name suggests, is a  flower native to the southeastern US. Its native habitat includes deciduous woods, forest edges, clearings, and roadsides. Its upright growth habit may reach 2-3 feet, blooming mostly during the hottest part of the summer in full sun, although it may rebloom intermittently until frost. Flower colors are in the cool range of lavender to pink or white, held in clusters at the top of stems. The wild species is resistant to powdery mildew.

Propagation is by division in fall or cuttings. It may reseed, but not aggressively.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Kim'
    Light pink flowers, light green leaves
  • 'Minnie Pearl'
    White flowers
  • 'Miss Lingard'
    White flowers
'Kim', 'Minnie Pearl', 'Miss Lingard'
Tags:
#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#white flowers#easy to grow#purple flowers#pink flowers#fire low flammability#NC native#ornamentals#native garden#naturalizes#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#nectar plant late spring#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#Piedmont Mountains FACU#Coastal FACU#bee friendly#Audubon#perennial#herb garden#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Kim'
    Light pink flowers, light green leaves
  • 'Minnie Pearl'
    White flowers
  • 'Miss Lingard'
    White flowers
'Kim', 'Minnie Pearl', 'Miss Lingard'
Tags:
#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#white flowers#easy to grow#purple flowers#pink flowers#fire low flammability#NC native#ornamentals#native garden#naturalizes#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#nectar plant late spring#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#Piedmont Mountains FACU#Coastal FACU#bee friendly#Audubon#perennial#herb garden#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Phlox
    Species:
    carolina
    Family:
    Polemoniaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern USA
    Distribution:
    SW Georgia to NE Texas, North to Maryland and SE Missouri
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Its flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Dome
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are arranged in loose, broadly cylindrical clusters in a compact terminal inflorescence. The flowers are 0.5-0.75 in. with five rounded corolla lobes. They may rebloom in late summer/early fall. Flower generally blooms from May to July.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Carolina Phlox has tufted, minutely downy to hairy stems with 5-12 pairs of lance-shaped to narrowly egg-shaped leaves. The leaves are 1.5-4 in. long, bright-green, oval, and leathery.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are red-streaked and may appear singly or in clusters.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Fire
    Heat