Phlox
- Phonetic Spelling
- FLAH-ks
- Description
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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 the 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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Flower Bonanza Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Creeping
- Dense
- Erect
- Horizontal
- Mounding
- Prostrate
- 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
- 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, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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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.
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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
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's 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
