Ideal for garden beds and borders with annuals, other perennials, and flowering shrubs. Woodland phlox is a fine groundcover for woodlands or shade gardens with moist well drained soil. Taxonomists recognize 2 varieties or subspecies. Wild Woodland Phlox. The root system of woodland phlox plants forms a loose mat of foliage that can grow a foot high (30 cm.). 653 likes. It is also considered a flower worth including in hummingbird gardens. … The flowering fertile shoots die back after producing seed. A potential drawback of using it as a ground cover is that it does not stay as short as many of the more conventional ground covers. This species is indigenous to rich deciduous woodlands, open moist to slightly dry woods, seasonal floodplains, stream banks and open areas near woodland paths. Phlox plants grow to be between 2-4 feet tall, and they can usually be divided every 3-5 years. Choose the variety that fits your garden space and enjoy its gorgeous star-shaped blossoms all summer long. Once established, water two times per week. However, you really should wait until February if you don't want to take any chances. The central stem of each fertile shoot is light green to reddish brown and pubescent to hairy; some of these hairs are sticky-glandular. HABITAT & HARDINESS:  Phlox divaricata occurs in eastern North America in Quebec and Ontario, south to Vermont and Florida and west to South Dakota and New Mexico. Seed from Clayton County, Iowa. A New England Wildflower Society introduction. Hardy from zones 3-8. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 20 inches apart. Woodland Park Models - Ontario, Petersburg, Ontario. Likewise, in the wild, woodland phlox is naturally fertilized when the leaf litter in the forest breaks down (becoming "leaf mold"). Woodland phlox, Phlox divaricata, is an eastern North American native increasingly offered as an ornamental to use in cultivated gardens for its attractive bluish flowers. 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. In contrast, woodland phlox prefers partial shade and spreads slowly. For more information on this plant, visit the USDA PLANTS Database: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PHDI5, © 2020 | New Moon Nursery, LLC Woodland phlox plant has fragrant flowers, which bloom in clusters. Read on to learn how to grow phlox. Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) is a woodland understory species with a vast native range that covers much of the Eastern U.S. (including the eastern third of Kansas) and Canada. TRIVIA:  Phlox divaricata provides valuable early season nectar for swallowtail butterflies, day flying sphinx moths (hummingbird moths and clearwing moths) and hummingbirds. The leaves can be evergreen at the more southerly end of its range. It’s ideal for growing in large clumps at the edge of a border or beneath deciduous trees. Creeping Phlox are an invaluable addition to any rock garden, foundation, or as an edger. When planting the crown of the plant should sit above the soil surface when watered in, with 16” space between individual plants. Phlox divaricata ‘May Breeze’ (P-1812) Each 8.75. Wildflowers Listed In Alphabetical Order (Last updated - January 12th 2018) If you know the name of the wildflower then find it in the alphabetical list below. Keep it fertilized in your landscape with compost (or with leaf mold if you want to go the extra mile). Spreads to form a small patch, easily divided in early autumn. Woodland phlox is a fine groundcover for woodlands or shade gardens with moist well drained soil. Woodland manufactures the finest in the park model lifestyle. P. divaricata var. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. Woodland phlox grows in dappled shade in its native woodlands in eastern North America. Woodland phlox, Phlox divaricata ‘Clouds of Perfume’, can be tricky to grow but is worth the effort. Jim Locklear, a former director for Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, published in 2011 the book Phlox: A Natural History and Gardener’s Guide. Each set of blades is situated at a right angle to those above and below. All woodland phlox artwork ships within 48 hours and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. Small inconspicuous oval seed capsules follow. Steps. Woodland Phlox Phlox divaricata laphamii Phlox family (Polemoniaceae) Description: The fertile shoots of this herbaceous perennial plant are about 1–1½' tall and unbranched, except near the apex where the flowers occur. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. Woodland phlox grows 10 to 12 inches tall and wide and thrives in shady and partially shady locations. Find a location in your landscaping for woodland phlox that will best mimic its natural habitat, providing this perennial with, at most, filtered sunlight. Each scented, saucer-shaped flower features five, flat, notched, petal-like lobes in shades of lilac, rose or blue. Woodland phlox is an essential element of a great shade garden because it is easy to grow, colorful, and good for butterflies and hummingbirds. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. If you live in eastern North America and seek blue flowers for a dappled-shade garden featuring native plants, then woodland phlox is an excellent choice. Thumbnails of Ontario Wildflowers. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. You’ll need to remove the entire phlox plant from the ground, making sure to include its root ball. The last month that you can plant phlox and expect a good harvest is probably October. The plant belongs to the Polemoniaceae family, as does Jacob's ladder. Email us and one of our perennial experts will get back to you. In early spring, foliage is crowned by loose clusters of showy pinkish-lavender or icy blue flowers. Perfect for underplanting spring bulbs. They are sessile and are peppered with short fine hairs. HABITAT & HARDINESS: Phlox divaricata occurs in eastern North America in Quebec and Ontario, south to Vermont and Florida and west to South Dakota and New Mexico. Advertisement . Woodland Phlox will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. Do not try to grow it in full sun. Many people prefer the violet-blue color and find it in the cultivar, 'Blue Moon.' It can also help to give woodland phlox a haircut after it has finished blooming, since rampant growth can be an invitation to powdery mildew. In mild climates attractive rosettes provide Winter Interest. Leaves are elliptical or lance shaped with smooth edges and blunt or pointed tips. Woodland phlox makes an excellent groundcover, provides soil stabilization, and attracts birds, bees, and butterflies. Plant taxonomy designates woodland phlox, an herbaceous perennial, as Phlox divaricata. Phlox divaricata, commonly called woodland phlox, is a spreading, native wildflower which forms mats of foliage with stems typically reaching 12-15" tall. Green or purplish stems are erect or decumbent and may be sprinkled with sticky glandular hairs. Hellebores and Ferns make a perfect combination to this Phlox. Phlox, Woodland. Plants are also used as Butterfly Nectar Plants or as part of a Grouping or Mass Planting. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, native-plant option for gardens with dappled shade. to have fertile and infertile stems. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 16 inches apart. Find Sherwood Blue Woodland Phlox (Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Blue') in Toronto Orangeville Bramptom Vaughan Caledon Ontario ON at Glen Echo Nurseries (Creeping Phlox) COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS:  Try pairing Phlox divaricata with Aquilegia canadensis, Carex albicans, Carex plantaginea, Heuchera americana 'Dales Strain', Dryopteris marginalis or Polystichum acrostichoides. The best part about this colorful phlox is that it prefers shade, and is tolerant of drought once established in a well-drained location. Phlox Blue Moon has outstanding larger over-lapping flowerheads of beautiful rich blue violet. This plant, also sometimes is refe… The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Phlox stolonifera, which also goes by the common names Creeping phlox and Moss phlox, is similar to P. subulata in name only. Plants grow 12-18” tall with an equal spread. The best planting time would be between Spring and Summer. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Woodland phlox is an excellent native-plant option for gardens with dappled shade. divaricata has flower petals that are shallowly notched at the tip and a range that extends east from the Great Lakes. The various types of phlox plants are popular landscape plants. Others, such as garden and meadow phlox, produce taller plants commonly grown in gardens, borders and edging. Meanwhile P. paniculata 'David' and the other popular, upright, summer-blooming phloxes―which are considered "garden phloxes"―are taller. Some varieties, such as creeping, woodland and moss phlox, grow low to the ground and are frequently used as ground covers. Plants have semi-evergreen oval or lance shaped deep green leaves. Phlox divaricata, the wild blue phlox, woodland phlox, or wild sweet william, is a species of flowering plant in the family Polemoniaceae, native to forests and fields in eastern North America. It spreads rapidly to the places where it wants to grow and is an ideal woodland groundcover because it makes few demands. P. divaricata var. More generally, treat it as a flowering ground cover or edging plant, especially where you need color specifically for spring. Shop for woodland phlox art from the world's greatest living artists. This woodland phlox bloom time is between early to late spring with a very fast growth rate. Other common names for it include wild sweet William and wild blue phlox. By using The Spruce, you accept our, 1 foot or slightly taller, with a similar width, Light purple, violet, violet-blue, light blue, rosy lavender, How Woodland Phlox Looks, Smells, Behaves, All About the Different Types of Phlox Flowers, Aubrieta (False Rock Cress) Plant Profile. Woodland phlox grows best in dappled shade. Social: My latest … another interpretation of the heartbreakingly beautiful Antietam National Battlefield … Burnside Bridge … “Woodland Phlox At Antietam” … CorelPainter2019 loosely based on one of my own photographs. P: 888-998-1951 | F: 888-998-1952, Get Wild, Grow Native This impressive little native is just perfect for your woodland garden. Water plants often the first year. Advertisement. Native to eastern North America, Phlox divaricata (Woodland Phlox) is a semi-evergreen, spreading wildflower which creates mats of abundant, open clusters of slightly fragrant flowers in mid to late spring. The leaves are opposite and arranged in widely spaced pairs. Keep the soil of woodland phlox evenly moist. Not only are the individual blooms pretty, but there are also so many of them that the display is truly something special to behold. Need a bold shot of color to herald spring's arrival? Good spreader for shade or wildflower gardens. Phlox divaricata. Woodland Phlox is actually a wildflower in every state to some degree, ranging from the Rockies all the way to the Atlantic coast. LANDSCAPE USES:  This is a good Groundcover for a Wildlife Garden or Shade Garden. Phlox, Woodland Growing Instructions. No need to register, buy now! Carpets of lilac-blue flowers appear in June and July, over fresh green, hairy leaves. As with any plant susceptible to powdery mildew (or to fungus attacks, in general), aeration (through spacing) can help. Woodland Phlox At Antietam. Phlox divaricata has Showy Blooms and is appropriate for Cottage Gardens, Water-wise Landscapes, Low Maintenance Plantings and Perennial Borders. The main differences between it and P. subulata are that its leaves are oval-shaped (rather than needle-shaped) and its flowers are produced on stems that rise 6–10 inches above the foliage (rather than directly on the foliage). Indeed, the species name of divaricata translates from the Latin as "spreading.". Woodland phlox flowers vary greatly in color. Infertile non-flowering stems persist through the growing season and fuel the following year’s growth. Blades average 1-2” length and ½” width. Plants are indigenous to rich deciduous woodlands, open moist to slightly dry woods, stream banks and open areas near woodland paths. - Bluestone Perennials Woodland Phlox is perfect for a moist shady border, putting on a showy mid-spring display. Given the right growing conditions, it can be a splendid plant for woodland gardens anywhere. Pink Flame Garden Phlox is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. This is one of the only Phlox spp. Choose your favorite woodland phlox designs and purchase them as wall art, home decor, phone cases, tote bags, and more! It loves shade and tolerates drought once established. laphamii has petals without notches and ranges west from the Great Lakes to the Great Plains and south into the Gulf Coastal Plain as far as the Florida Panhandle. But there are a number of other cultivars, including a white one: 'Fuller's White.'. They gradually form colonies from short rhizomes and spreading leafy stems that root at the nodes. The common creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is best if you want a low ground cover, although there is also another creeping phlox that is less well-known: P. stolonifera. Work compost into the ground around your plant annually in spring. Make sure to supplement what rainfall the plant may receive—enough to keep the soil moist (but never waterlogged) at all times. Friends School Plant Sale photo by Pat T. Category: Native Wild Flowers. This selection has clusters of fragrant white flowers with an indigo eye, over a low spreading mound of bright green foliage. If you wait any later than that and your phlox may not have a chance to fully mature. Phlox (/ ˈ f l ɒ k s /; Greek φλόξ "flame"; plural "phlox" or "phloxes", Greek φλόγες phlóges) is a genus of 67 species of perennial and annual plants in the family Polemoniaceae.They are found mostly in North America (one in Siberia) in diverse habitats from alpine tundra to open woodland and prairie.Some flower in spring, others in summer and fall. It belongs to the Polemoniaceae family, as does Jacob's ladder (Polemonium caeruleum). Blue flowers, May–June. Phlox. Woodland Phlox. FIRST IMPRESSIONS:  Phlox divaricata is a lovely spring ephemeral wildflower that forms foot tall clumps. Woodland Phlox is one of the spring wildflowers that is vulnerable to habitat destruction and invasion of wooded areas by Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata). It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. Fertile stems terminate in showy rounded flower cymes. The earliest that you can plant phlox in Woodland is January. 910 Kings Highway Woodstown, NJ 08098 Blue Paradise Garden Phlox will grow to be about 30 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. Site produced by Clarity Connect, Inc, http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PHDI5. Find the perfect woodland phlox stock photo. Since this perennial grows wild, you may not be as familiar with it as you are with the commonly cultivated types of phlox, but it does belong to the same genus. , 2020 0 Comments feature of creeping phlox is perfect for a shady... And spreading woodland phlox ontario stems that root at the nodes inches apart of these hairs are sticky-glandular for... P-1812 ) each 8.75 June 4, 2020 0 Comments uses: this is a relative creeping! Prefer the violet-blue color and find it in the cultivar, 'Blue Moon. ' ” and! Soil moist ( but never waterlogged ) at all times the best feature of creeping phlox an! 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