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Phlox maculata is often confused with:
Phlox carolina Phlox carolina
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Phlox glaberrima Flowers
Phlox paniculata Phlox paniculata
Trillium pusillum Close up of flower
Phlox maculata has some common insect problems:
Twospotted Spider Mites on Landscape Plants

Phlox maculata

Description

Meadow Phlox is a native perennial wildflower found in moist woodlands and open areas in the central and southeastern U.S.A. In NC, it is found in the Piedmont and mountain areas. During the summer it blooms with large clusters of pink, purple or white flowers. The stems are spotted with purple.

Meadow Phlox prefers full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and soil containing silt, loam, or sandy loam. Sufficient organic material to help retain moisture and mulch around the roots is advisable. This plant is not drought tolerant and will need supplemental water in dry conditions.  After flowering, it tends to die down. In suboptimal conditions, it may be short-lived but in good conditions, it will self-seed and spread to form colonies. Deadheading can extend the blooming season and prevent unwanted seedlings. 

This phlox looks great in a cottage garden, as well as naturalized areas, and will attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This phlox has better mildew resistance than P. paniculata but it needs good air circulation and overhead watering should be avoided. Root rot and spider mites can be an issue.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#rain garden#fragrant flowers#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#tubular flowers#low maintenance#riparian#fall interest#cottage garden#upright form#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#rich soils#summer flowers#rhizomes#mountains#naturalizes#self-seeding#cutting garden#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#clumping#mildew resistant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FACW#bird friendly#mammals#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#roadside#Audubon#colonizing#woodland garden#spotted leaves#perennial#boggy sites#moth friendly#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#rain garden#fragrant flowers#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#tubular flowers#low maintenance#riparian#fall interest#cottage garden#upright form#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#rich soils#summer flowers#rhizomes#mountains#naturalizes#self-seeding#cutting garden#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#clumping#mildew resistant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FACW#bird friendly#mammals#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#roadside#Audubon#colonizing#woodland garden#spotted leaves#perennial#boggy sites#moth friendly#meadow
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Phlox
    Species:
    maculata
    Family:
    Polemoniaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Infusion of root used as a wash by the Cherokees to make children grow and fatten.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and eastern U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    AL , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , VT , WV
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract butterflies, moths and hummingbirds. Songbirds will eat the seeds.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Pyramidal
    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
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    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:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    1/3 inch oval seed capsules are 3-celled and each cell contains one or more seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The 1/2 inch tubular, 5-lobed, pinkish-purple flowers have long corolla tubes and are densely arranged in large, cylindrical, terminal clusters up to 8 inches long.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Denticulate
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Dark shiny green leaves are opposite, sessile, 2½-4" long and ½-¾" across, lanceolate in shape with smooth or finely toothed margins. They have wide bases with long slender sharply pointed tips. They are rounded at the base and have no petioles.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Smooth round green stems with numerous red/purple spots, usually unbranched.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Heat
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems