Phlox divaricata aka Forest Phlox

Taxonomy

Phlox divaricata, also known as wild blue phlox, woodland phlox, or wild sweet william, is a flowering plant native to forests and fields in eastern North America. It is a semi-evergreen perennial that can reach a height of 30cm. The plant has trailing, rooting stems, hairy ovate leaves, and loose cymes of slightly fragrant white flowers that are 2-3cm in width. In cultivated varieties, the flowers can be blue, lavender, or white. Woodland phlox is a spreading wildflower that forms mats of foliage and typically grows to 12-15" tall. It is commonly found in rich woods, fields, and along streams. The tubular flowers are lilac to rose to blue in color and have five flat, notched petal-like lobes. They appear in loose clusters at the stem tips in spring. The stems of the plant are hairy and sticky. The lance-shaped to elliptic leaves measure up to 2" long. Over time, phlox divaricata can form large colonies as leafy shoots spread along the ground and root at the nodes. The genus name, phlox, originates from the Greek word meaning flame, referring to the intense flower colors of certain varieties. The specific epithet, divaricata, means spreading.

Common names

Forest Phlox, Wild Blue Phlox, Blue Phlox

How to care for Forest Phlox

Difficulty

Caring for Forest Phlox is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Forest Phlox should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Forest Phlox loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Forest Phlox prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Forest Phlox should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

Clumping is a defining characteristic of the Forest Phlox, with new growth appearing from the soil surrounding the primary plant.


More info:
Wikipedia