Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: wild sweet William
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Polemoniaceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 0.75 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Violet blue
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Naturalize
Flower: Showy, Fragrant
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Clay Soil, Dry Soil
Culture
Best grown in humusy, medium moisture, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Prefers rich, organic soils with continuous, even moisture. Appreciates a light summer mulch which helps retain moisture and keep roots cool. If soils dry out, foliage decline will occur and plants may go into dormancy. Self-seeds in optimum growing conditions.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Phlox divaricata, commonly called woodland phlox, is a spreading, Missouri-native, spring wildflower which forms mats of foliage with stems typically reaching 12-15" tall. As the common name suggests, this is a woodland variety which occurs in rich woods, fields and along streams throughout the state of Missouri. Loose clusters of fragrant, tubular, blue-violet flowers (to 1.5" wide) with five, flat, petal-like lobes appear at the stem tips in spring. Stems are both hairy and sticky. Lance-shaped to elliptic leaves (to 2" long). Can form large colonies over time as the leafy shoots spread along the ground rooting at the nodes.
Phlox divaricata is common throughout eastern North America east of the State of Missouri, but P. d. var. laphamii is the common form in Missouri. Var. laphamii is primarily distinguished from the species by having darker blue flowers with unnotched petals.
The genus name is derived from the Greek word phlox meaning flame in reference to the intense flower colors of some varieties.
Specific epithet means spreading.
Problems
Powdery mildew can be a problem as summer humidity kicks in. Cutting back stems after flowering helps combat mildew and prevents self-seeding. Spider mites can also be a problem, particularly in hot, dry conditions. Watch out for rabbits.
Uses
Woodland gardens, shade gardens, native plant gardens or naturalized areas. An effective shallow-rooted cover for early spring bulbs. Also appropriate for shaded areas of border fronts and rock gardens.