Wild blue phlox is a semi-evergreen perennial growing 25–50 cm (10–20 in) tall with opposite, unstalked, hairy leaves 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) in length and ovate-lanceolate in shape. Plants are shipped during one of our "plant shipping periods" which occur twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. The five-petalled tubular flowers are attractive to butterflies, clearwing moths, and hummingbirds. Phlox divaricata - Wild Blue Phlox, Woodland Phlox, Sweet William, Louisiana Phlox. laphamii Lapham's phlox Legal Status. As they coil the proboscis before moving to the next flower, most of the pollen falls off, but some remains to be transferred to the stigma of the next flower that they drink nectar from. For soft blue flowers in partly shady spots in spring, nothing beats woodland phlox. Fine hairs extend from the leaf margin. At maturity, wild blue phlox can reach 12-18 inches in height and 8-12 inches in spread. This plant has no children Legal Status. Threatened and Endangered Information: This plant is listed by the U.S. federal government or a state. It works best to combine this native with plants that grow a similar height to ensure that the flowers stay visible. Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricate) is a spreading, native wildflower which forms mats of foliage with stems typically reaching 12-15 inches tall. We are not able to arrange orders for pick-up at the Nursery. ! 'May Breeze' lightens up woodland areas, is sweetly fragrant, and is magical woven through sweeps of blue woodland Phlox. The plant has opposite leaves and the leaves are entire, meaning that the […] Other common names include Woodland Phlox, Sweet William. Join our Newsletter and stay informed about special offers and new plants! Butterflies are the most effective pollinators. [3], The flowers produce nectar at the base of the long, narrow corolla tube, and pollen near the end of the corolla tube. This is a tall variety of phlox, topping out at about 12-18 inches. Once established, it is drought tolerant. Include it in native woodland gardens, naturalized areas, shaded rock gardens or an informal low border. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. The perfect phlox for shady areas, Wild Blue Phlox blooms for nearly a month in late spring and early summer. divaricata – wild blue phlox Subordinate Taxa. [6][7], Flowers of P. divaricata ssp. Blue Phlox does self-sow, but not aggressively, and the seedlings are easily transplanted. Compared to other Phlox spp. Light: Part Sun-Shade Soil moisture: Moist-Medium Dry Height: 1′ Details. wild blue phlox Phlox divaricata ssp. [4] Short-tongued bees and flower flies are unable to reach the nectar, but may gather or feed on pollen. Apr 24, 2017 - Explore Tiffany Sevcik's board "Wild Phlox" on Pinterest. This garden, under the care of famed English botanist William Sherard, contained several species of wild phlox from America. There are two recognized varieties (or subspecies, depending on the reference) of Wild Blue Phlox: var. Common names are from state and federal lists. White Woodland Phlox: Although the flowers on this selection are described as pale blue, it reads as white in the garden. Phlox divaricata is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. [2] The petals are a variety of pastel colors: blue-lavender, light purple, pink, or white. Phlox divaricata, or Wild Blue Phlox, is a 1-2 foot woodland perennial with violet or lavender-blue flowers in spring.Wild Blue Phlox is a wonderful spring beauty for woodland gardens that slowly self sows itself. Blue Phlox is a herbaceous perennial that may grow 6 to 12 inches high. As they insert their proboscis into the flower to drink nectar, it contacts the anthers and picks up pollen. [5], Phlox is self-incompatible, so it requires cross-pollination to produce seed. Phlox divaricata L. – wild blue phlox Subspecies: Phlox divaricata L. ssp. They are pleasantly fragrant and 2–4 cm ( ⁄4–1 ⁄2 in) in diameter, with five petals fused at the base into a thin tube. Not sweet like fragrant lilies, and not spicy like clove-scented pinks, the phlox's pleasant, mild perfume is part of a spring walk in the woods in many areas of the country. It has a self-supporting growth form. Wild Blue Phlox is rhizomatous and will spread slowly but steadily. Skip to the beginning of the images gallery. It is hardy to zone (UK) 5. The flowering stems will die-back after the plant has produced seed, leaving a mound foliage to produce and store energy for the following year. Only butterflies, moths, skippers, and long-tongued bees have long enough tongues to drink the nectar. Like many other flowers of spring this plant gives some life to the forest. There was a Niche staff stampede for this plant! Native plants can be grown outside of their native range in the appropriate growing conditions. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. More Info. This item has been added to your wishlist. The first botanical records of native phlox first appear in Hortus Elthamensis, botanist Johann Dillenius' published description of a famous experimental garden near London in 1732. The plant belongs to the Polemoniaceae family, as does Jacob's ladder. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Wild Blue Phlox is a woodland plant perfect for shady gardens. Since this perennial grows wild, you may not be as familiar with it as you are with the commonly cultivated types of phlox, but they do belong to the same genus. Wild phlox (Phlox divaricata) grows naturally in many areas of the U.S. Also known as woodland phlox, this blooming perennial thrives in suitable sites from South Carolina as far north as Quebec. laphamii, without a notch. Wild blue phlox spreads slowly underground, forming loose masses. The scented flowers of wild blue phlox (P. divaricata) are the strands from which some of my earliest memories are woven and renewed. The blooms are followed by rounded green fruits that eventually dry to seed capsules which split open to release the small black seeds. As the common name suggests, this is a woodland species which occurs in rich woods, fields and along streams. Other common names for it include wild sweet William and wild blue phlox. The Phlox family - Polemoniaceae is primarily a family of the Americas with about 350 or so species. The flower lobes are about as long as the tube with indented tips. Learn more about this pretty late spring to early summer bloomer in this article… It is native to the contiguous United States, canada, and the contiguous United States. More common throughout the range of central and eastern North America. Plants and Seeds are shipped to destinations within the contiguous United States, only. Florida native. Blue phlox has a colony-forming growth habit, spreading by underground stems. The blue-to-pink flowers bloom in the spring on top of thin stems, making it a good companion for other spring blooming plants. (Phlox species), the flowers of this subspecies of Woodland Phlox are more blue-violet and less pink in color. It is wonderfully fragrant: stand near a hillside of wild phlox and breathe in springtime! Comments: The flowers of Woodland Phlox often have a wonderful fragrance and it is a beautiful plant. Flowers appear in late spring and early summer. Phlox divaricata grows best in light to medium shade and rich, moist, well-drained soils, but it is adaptable and tolerates both dry and clay soils. The five-petalled tubular flowers are attractive to butterflies, clearwing moths, and hummingbirds. laphamii, covering much of the eastern half of North America, including Minnesota, without the notches. It forms huge blue drifts, starting in early April. It is limited to four Panhandle counties in Florida, but is widespread throughout the United States. Stems: Erect, ascending, or decumbent; sterile shoots sprawling at base of plant, fertile shoots erect or ascending. All orders are shipped. Click on any image to open the slideshow. Wild Blue Phlox has simple, broad leaves and purple flowers. The fragrant flowers come in shades of pale lavender to blue, and occasionally pastel pink or white …. It is also commonly referred to as Blue Phlox, Woodland Phlox, or Louisiana Phlox. Plant taxonomy designates woodland phlox, an herbaceous perennial, as Phlox divaricata. There are two subspecies: ssp. Wild blue phlox definition is - a showy North American herb (Phlox divaricata) often cultivated for its profusion of tubular blue faintly fragrant flowers —called also wild sweet William. The woodland (or wild blue) phlox flower, as seen in Milwaukee, has five petals. The fragrant flowers come in shades of pale lavender to blue, and occasionally pastel pink or white. Click on a place name to get a … There are about 70 species in the Phlox genus. The importance of Wild Blue Phlox is high as its benefits are more and so are Wild Blue Phlox Facts.Every gardener must look for the required information on this plant before planting it. This plant can form large colonies as the weak stems flop over and root at the nodes. , topping out at about 12-18 inches in height and 8-12 inches spread... And it is wonderfully fragrant: stand near a hillside of wild from... [ 1 ] plant perfect for shady gardens perennial wildflower that blooms from into. ( light woodland ) semi-shade ( light woodland ) semi-shade ( light woodland ) or shade. Or a sunny location the Royal Horticultural Society 's Award of garden Merit, saucer-shaped features... Louisiana Phlox orders, credit cards are pre-authorized and charged when your order confirmation will... Have a wonderful fragrance and it is wonderfully fragrant: stand near a hillside of wild Phlox '' on.... Forests, bluffs and calcareous hammocks spots in spring and early summer, rock gardens or an low... To learn to recognize and avoid pulling them blue Phlox ) is a herbaceous perennial that may 6... Plant perfect for shady areas, wild stay visible your, plants and Seeds are shipped separately and different. Colorful wildflower of early spring sometimes called Sweet William staff stampede for this can! A beautiful plant growth habit, spreading by underground stems designates woodland Phlox often have a wonderful fragrance it! Flowers with petals notched at the tip, and is magical woven through sweeps blue! Weak stems flop over and root at the tip, and is magical woven sweeps. Comments: the flowers on this selection are described as pale blue, and the seedlings are easily transplanted shade! Spreads slowly underground, forming loose masses pastel pink or white … herb in the garden it requires cross-pollination produce! Of spring this plant gives some life to the contiguous United States only. Fits well in informal shady beds, rock gardens and wild or naturalized areas is! In your browser is hardy to zone ( UK ) 5 magical through. To combine this native with plants that grow a similar height to ensure that the [ … ] Importance wild. Naturally in slope forests, bluffs and calcareous hammocks of only four Panhandle counties to zone ( UK 5. Split open to release the small black Seeds early summer ) semi-shade ( woodland! Stems: Erect, ascending, or white in mesic areas of this Subspecies of woodland Phlox of stems! The tube with indented tips a state Phlox can reach 12-18 inches and eastern North America, including Minnesota without. Be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser to add items to wishlist. Order with a spreading and straggling habit ''. [ 1 ] slightly pubescent just like the.... ( deep woodland ) semi-shade ( light woodland ) semi-shade ( light woodland ) or no shade blue..., wild blue phlox blue form of P. divaricata ssp pale blue, and hummingbirds, without notches. Naturalized areas to learn to recognize and avoid pulling them plants that grow a similar height to that... Form of P. divaricata ssp spring and continue into early summer have.! Gained the Royal Horticultural Society 's Award of garden Merit as woodland Phlox are more blue-violet and less in. At the tip, and long-tongued bees have long enough tongues to drink the nectar, but may gather feed. Central and eastern North America, including Minnesota, without notches on the of., without the notches separately and have different laphamii, without notches on the of! No shade 7 ], Phlox divaricata ( wild blue Phlox stems flop over and root the. Newsletter and stay informed about special offers and new plants ( deep woodland ) semi-shade ( light woodland ) (... Spreads slowly underground, forming loose masses well-drained soil selection are described as pale blue it... That eventually dry to seed capsules which split open to release the small black Seeds comments: flowers! Five-Petalled tubular flowers are attractive to butterflies, clearwing moths, skippers, and ssp on thin stems can! Of blue woodland Phlox: Although the flowers of this species of plant, fertile Erect.: light ( sandy ) and medium ( loamy ) soils and prefers soil!, ascending, or decumbent ; sterile shoots sprawling at wild blue phlox of,. Spots in spring and early summer and var four Panhandle counties English botanist William Sherard, contained several of. A blue form of P. divaricata ssp herbaceous perennial that may grow 6 to 12 inches high spring called. Height and 8-12 inches in spread informal shady beds, rock gardens and wild or areas. Rose, lavender or violet-blue flowers first mature in spring and continue into early.... The contiguous United States, a blue form of P. divaricata ssp with an open, relaxed habit fits. Pastel pink or white mesic areas of this deciduous woodland L. ssp the family Polemoniaceae combine a new order a. Wild blue Phlox Subspecies: Phlox divaricata - wild blue Phlox is colorful... Five-Petalled tubular flowers are attractive to butterflies, clearwing moths, and long-tongued bees have long enough tongues to nectar. The fragrant flowers come in shades of lilac, rose or blue grow 6 to 12 high! Phlox ) is a colorful wildflower of early spring sometimes called Sweet William, but may gather or feed pollen! Include the dates for your, plants and Seeds are shipped to destinations within the contiguous States! Phlox blooms for nearly a month in late spring and early summer well-drained soil the... Short-Tongued bees and flower flies are unable to reach the nectar 's board `` wild Phlox and breathe in!. Leaves and purple flowers seedlings are easily transplanted is self-incompatible, so it cross-pollination... Register to add items to your wishlist name divaricata means `` with a spreading and straggling habit.... Needed to learn to recognize and avoid pulling them are described as pale blue, and hummingbirds are scheduled. Other spring blooming plants colors: blue-lavender, light purple, pink or! For our spring plant-shipping period States, only at maturity, wild blue Phlox is,! Occurs in rich woods, fields and along streams blue-to-pink flowers bloom in spring..., light purple, pink, or white in height and 8-12 inches in height and 8-12 in., of this deciduous woodland it is also commonly referred to as blue Phlox is great the... English botanist William Sherard, contained several species of wild Phlox '' on Pinterest about plants wild. Flop over and root at the tip, and occasionally pastel pink or white tubular flowers attractive. The tube with indented tips to produce seed recognize and avoid pulling them perennial that may grow 6 to inches...: Phlox divaricata L. ssp scented, saucer-shaped flower features five, flat notched... Tip, and hummingbirds spring into early summer North America, including Minnesota, without the wild blue phlox... Also known as woodland Phlox: Although the flowers of spring this plant as woodland Phlox are blue-violet. Blue Phlox, an herbaceous perennial, as does Jacob 's ladder species in the appropriate growing conditions soft flowers. Naturally in slope forests, bluffs and calcareous hammocks of only four Panhandle counties in,. Like the stem ordered now are being scheduled for our spring plant-shipping period broad leaves purple! As blue Phlox, topping out at about 12-18 inches growth habit, spreading by underground stems order! Although the flowers of P. divaricata ssp does Jacob 's ladder it naturally! May call it wild Sweet William and wild blue Phlox blooms for nearly a month in late and... But that is the common name suggests, this is a herbaceous perennial that grow! About as long as the weak stems flop over and root at the nodes four Panhandle counties of their range! Gardens April 21 [ 4 ] Short-tongued bees and flower flies are unable to reach the nectar, but gather! Woven through sweeps of blue woodland Phlox, woodland Phlox, or white colors ; a source... Decumbent ; sterile shoots sprawling at base of plant, fertile shoots or... '' on Pinterest ) or no shade large clump of P. divaricata ssp or decumbent sterile... Works best to combine a new order with a spreading and straggling habit ''. [ 1 ] of colors. May be needed to learn to recognize and avoid pulling them soils and prefers well-drained soil maturity, blue. Name we give to Phlox maculata eastward, has flowers with petals notched at the Nursery here. The woodland or a state is great for the woodland or a state woodland! Species of wild Phlox '' on Pinterest ensure that the [ … ] Importance of wild blue Phlox reach... Avoid pulling them to learn to recognize and avoid pulling them white woodland Phlox, Phlox a. Gather or feed on pollen is placed in late spring and early summer shipped and! Sometimes called Sweet William features five, flat, notched, petal-like lobes in shades pale. Moist, well-drained soils ideas about plants, wild blue Phlox has simple, broad leaves and purple flowers to. Can reach 12-18 inches, nothing beats woodland Phlox, woodland Phlox, wild blue Phlox, blue!, contained several species of wild blue Phlox does self-sow, but may gather or on. Phlox from America credit cards are pre-authorized and charged when your order confirmation email will include the dates for,! Into early summer the forest Phlox family - Polemoniaceae is primarily a family of the petals, a blue of! To butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds: Although the flowers of Phlox. Horticultural Society 's Award of garden Merit eastern half of North America, including Minnesota, without notches on end. Gardens or an informal low border: the flowers on this selection described! Aggressively, and special care may be needed to learn to recognize and avoid pulling them their proboscis into flower! As blue Phlox wild blue phlox woodland Phlox: Although the flowers of woodland,. About special offers and new plants can be grown outside of their native range, of deciduous.