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Phlox glaberrima

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
floks gla-ber-REE-muh
Description

Smooth Phlox is a clump-forming perennial native to Southeastern and Central US. In North Carolina, it can be found mainly in the Piedmont and mountains but also in a few coastal areas on stream and river banks, open bottomland forests, swamps, marshes, sedge meadows, and tallgrass prairies. The showy rose to purplish blooms appear in spring on tall panicles and attract pollinators. The deep green, narrow foliage is also attractive. Deadheading will help prolong blooming; it will otherwise self-seed.  Rhizomes also help with the formation of colonies.

Smooth Phlox prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to light shade and will need irrigation during dry spells.  It can be used in borders, along ponds or streams as it is tolerant of soil moisture, in naturalized areas, or in native wildflower gardens. It has excellent resistance to powdery mildew and root rot.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#pink flowers#moth caterpillar host#native perennials#spring flowers#riparian#cottage garden#pond margins#NC native#deer resistant#rhizomes#herbaceous perennial#border planting#self-seeding#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FAC#Coastal FACW#humidity tolerant#mammals#fly friendly#butterfly friendly#black walnut toxicity tolerant#Audubon#rabbit browsing plant#colonizing#woodland garden#moth friendly#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#pink flowers#moth caterpillar host#native perennials#spring flowers#riparian#cottage garden#pond margins#NC native#deer resistant#rhizomes#herbaceous perennial#border planting#self-seeding#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FAC#Coastal FACW#humidity tolerant#mammals#fly friendly#butterfly friendly#black walnut toxicity tolerant#Audubon#rabbit browsing plant#colonizing#woodland garden#moth friendly#meadow
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Phlox
    Species:
    glaberrima
    Family:
    Polemoniaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and Southeastern U.S.
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , OH , OK , SC , TN , VA , WI , WV
    Wildlife Value:
    Smooth phlox attracts butterflies including Monarchs, Swallowtails, and Sulfurs as well as the caterpillars of the Spotted Straw and Olive Arches moths. Syrphid flies may feed on the pollen. Hummingbirds may also drink the nectar. The leaves and stems are attractive to rabbits and groundhogs, and less frequently by deer.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Narrow seed capsules contain many small seeds and display from June to July.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Dome
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Individual flowers are up to 1 inch across with 5 flat, rounded petals. The lower part of the corolla is fused into a narrow tube. Stamens are visible at the opening to the corolla tube. Blooming occurs for 6-8 weeks from late spring into summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Denticulate
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are deep green, thick, glossy, with bluntly pointed tips, rounded at the base, and with a prominent central vein. They are very thin, hairless, and arranged in 10-20 opposite pairs along the stems. Lower leaves are either sessile or clasp the stem, while upper leaves are sessile.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Heat
    Humidity