Caring For Woodland Phlox Flowers: How To Grow Woodland Phlox Plants
What is woodland phlox? It is a native plant that grows wild in the eastern areas of the country. However, increasing numbers of gardeners add woodland phlox plants to their gardens as ornamentals. If you would like to bring blue woodland phlox flowers into your garden, you’ll want to know how to grow woodland phlox. For information about woodland phlox flowers, and tips on how to grow them, read on.
What is Woodland Phlox?
Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) is a perennial that can be seen in dappled woodland or meadows from Quebec to Florida and west to Texas. You may know this plant by any of a number of other common names like Louisiana phlox, wild blue phlox, and wild sweet William.
Woodland phlox is a relative of creeping phlox, a variety that grows in sun and spreads quickly. In contrast, woodland phlox prefers partial shade and spreads slowly. Woodland phlox plants have hairy, sticky leaves. The root system of woodland phlox plants forms a loose mat of foliage that can grow a foot high (31 cm.).
Woodland phlox flowers are bright, fragrant, and attractive. They arrive in loose clusters at the stem tips in spring. Each flower has five petals in shades from sky blue to deep blue and violet.
How to Grow Woodland Phlox
If you are considering growing woodland phlox, you should be aware that the blossoms of the plant require pollination by long-tongued insects. Pollinators include tiger swallowtails, skippers, bumblebees, hummingbird clearwing, and sphinx moths. Fruits follow the flowers.
The first thing to take into consideration is hardiness. The plants thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 8.
You’ll do best growing woodland phlox in medium moisture, rich soil that is well-drained. It prefers partial shade to full shade. These native plants require little maintenance, but you might add a light mulch in summer to help keep the moisture in the soil.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our most popular eBook "How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes."
Where to start growing woodland phlox? You can use this plant in rock gardens, cottage gardens, or native plant gardens. Or, if you want to plant spring bulbs, it makes a great shallow-rooted cover.
Teo Spengler has been gardening for 30 years. She is a docent at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Her passion is trees, 250 of which she has planted on her land in France.
-
10 Best Apartment Plants To Turn Your Small Space Into An Oasis
The best apartment plants can lend an ambience of the tropics, brighten up a space, or add a touch of drama, and turn an apartment into a relaxing oasis.
By Amy Grant
-
Grow a Bathroom Oasis: 8 Best Bathroom Plants With No Light or Low Light
Some apartment dwellers grow the best bathroom plants with no light or low light. Read how one of our favorite plant lovers does it in the big city.
By Teo Spengler
-
Tips For Growing Prairie Phlox In The Garden
Prairie phlox flowers are delicate pink and purple clusters of blooms that bring cheer to any garden. Read on for more.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
What Is Hood’s Phlox - Hood’s Phlox Info
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Does Phlox Need Deadheading: Learn About Deadheading Phlox Plants
Does phlox need deadheading? That depends on who you ask. Every gardener has their own opinion. Click here to learn more.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Dividing Phlox Plants – Learn How To Divide Phlox In The Garden
Garden phlox has long been a favorite garden plant. However, if after a few years your phlox plants fail to bloom as magnificently as they once did, this may be a sign that they need to be divided. Click this article to learn how to divide phlox plants.
By Darcy Larum
-
Garden Phlox Plants: Tips For Growing And Care Of Garden Phlox
Nothing beats the appeal of garden phlox plants. These tall, eye-catching perennials are ideal for sunny borders. Growing hardy garden phlox is simple and so is its general care. This article will help.
By Jackie Carroll