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Phlox divaricata - L.

Common Name Wild blue phlox
Family Polemoniaceae
USDA hardiness 4-9
Known Hazards None Known
Habitats Indigenous to rich deciduous woodlands, open moist to slightly dry woods, seasonal floodplains, stream banks and open areas near woodland paths.
Range Eastern North America in Quebec and Ontario, south to Vermont and Florida and west to South Dakota and New Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Phlox divaricata Wild blue phlox


Phlox divaricata Wild blue phlox

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Phlox divaricata is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. divaricata f. divaricata. P. divaricata var. divaricata

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None Known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

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Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

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PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
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PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

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Other Uses

Soil conditioner  Soil stabilization

A medium density groundcover for shady areas especially with acid soils. Good for woodland gardening. Attractive to butterflies, clearwing moths, and hummingbirds. As a long- lived perennial with fibrous roots it may be good for soil building and erosion control [318-1].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Ground Cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Herbaceous perennial ephemeral wildflower with showy fragrant flowers. USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 9. Soil pH: 5.5 - 7.1. Growth Rate: Moderate. Life Span: Long-Lived Perennial. Stand Persistence: Medium. Form: Upright. Texture: Fine. Sun: bright shade, partial shade, shade. Soil Type: Loamy, Silty. Soil Moisture: Moderate. Minimum Root Depth: 14 inches (0.3m). Root Type: Fibrous Deep. Seasonal Interest: Spring. Flower Color: Blue, Pink, Purple, White. Flood: Sensitive. Salt: Intolerant. Soil Compaction: Moderate. Mowing: Intolerant. Fire Damage: Intolerant. Cold Injury: Infrequent. Disease Issues: Minor. Insect/Pest Damage: Minor. Bloom Time: Spring - Early Summer. Plants tolerate clay loam, sand, acid or alkaline pH, heat, drought, part sun and dry shade. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. Evergreen. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots [1-2]. Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Propagate by division in fall or spring. Propagate by basal cuttings in spring or propagate by root cuttings in early fall or winter.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Wild blue phlox, woodland phlox, wild sweet william

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Québec (southwest), Ontario (south), United States, Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont (northwest), West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas (east), Minnesota (south), Missouri, Nebraska (east), Oklahoma (northeast), South Dakota (east), Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida (north), Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Phlox nivalisPine phlox, Trailing phloxPerennial0.3 6-9 MLMSNDM003
Phlox paniculataGarden Phlox, Fall phlox, Perennial Phlox, Tall Phlox, Summer PhloxPerennial1.2 4-9 MLMHSNM00 
Phlox stoloniferaCreeping phloxPerennial0.3 4-9 MLMHFSNM003
Phlox subulataMoss phloxPerennial0.1 4-9 FLMNDM003

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

L.

Botanical References

Links / References

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