Spotted Phlox Phlox maculata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- FLOCKS ma-kew-LAH-tah
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Pyramidal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
