Phlox divaricata
woodland phlox
polemoniaceae
Light blue, white, or lavender flowers; small
green leaves
10–15 in. high; 12 in. wide
Part shade–full shade
Blooms May–June
Zones 4–9
pruning Plants can reseed heavily to
create a beautiful display in a natural-
ized or woodland area. If reseeding is
not desired, deadhead before seed
matures. One efficient way to accom-
plish deadheading is to shear off the
old flowering stems, with hedge
shears, down to the low green foliage.
If the flowering stems are left on the
plants for reseeding, they usually
become brown and ugly by mid-July.
Deadheading before this time is best
for keeping plants attractive. Plants
may be subject to powdery mildew in
hot and humid conditions. If affected,
shear down for lush new growth; do
not compost diseased material.
Woodland phlox is evergreen and so
should not be pruned for the winter.
other maintenance Plants prefer
moist, humus-rich conditions. The
foliage will die down if allowed to dry
out in the summer or if given too much
sun. Plants are shallow rooted and
should be planted or divided in the
spring to avoid the winter frost heaving
that can occur with autumn planting.
related plantS Phlox divaricata
subsp. laphamii ‘Chattahoochee’ is a
nice selection with more compact
growth. The flowering stems of this
cultivar are borne closer to the foliage
than those of the species. Deadhead
and shape by shearing off (with hedge
shears) the old flower stems and about
a third to half of the foliage. This
pruning keeps the plants bushy for the
rest of the season. Foliage holds up
better in drought than that of the
species. ‘Fuller’s White’ is heavier
blooming than the species and more
tolerant of sun.Phlox divaricata subsp. laphamii
‘Chattahoochee’