Coming Across Something Special: Woodland Phlox

Some of the nicest times in spring are those quiet times when a plant lover comes across something newly in bloom, delicate, and sweet with good looks and fragrance. Phlox divaricata could easily serve as this sort of “something”, prompting a nature lover to marvel at spring’s gifts.

Are you familiar with Phlox divaricata, or Woodland Phlox? If a mental picture of a carpet of lavender, pink, or white on the floor of the garden comes to mind… well, you are thinking of Creeping Phlox, not Woodland Phlox. Nor would a picture of lollipop-style blooms atop long stems, standing side-by-side in mid- to late-summer, be an image of Woodland Phlox. 

No, Woodland Phlox is the casual cousin of these two plants, “cool” and attractive in pretty blue tones (sometimes white, depending on the cultivar) and able to handle lower-light conditions without being phased in the slightest. Woodland Phlox has a long blooming period, staying colorful for weeks at the start of spring. What is especially appealing, the blue tones that are most often associated with this plant are hard to find, in general, and even harder to find in plants that thrive in the shade. Coming across this plant is coming across something special.

Woodland Phlox blooms on thin stems which stand at medium height above the foliage of the plant and are spread slightly apart from one another. This placement of the flowers creates a haze in the most peaceful color imaginable. This hazy look exists despite each flower being larger than those of Creeping Phlox or Tall Phlox/Garden Phlox. The plant’s open form prompts many who see Phlox divaricata to comment on how ethereal the plant seems to be. And yet, it is delicate in looks only.

Phlox divaricata can tolerate sun if it must, even though its preference is dappled light or shade. And although it needs good hydration at first, it can withstand some dry spells once it is fully established. In general, this perennial which looks delicate is actually a strong plant, similar to other native plants that seem to appear in places out-of-the-blue, sent in by nature and given the fortitude to do well in both optimal conditions and conditions that are less than ideal.

Some gardeners leave spent blooms on the plant in place, waiting for seed heads to form and seeds to scatter. Not invasive at all, this plant is fine for handling in this manner: Letting it go to seed may result in a few new plant shoots, but nothing that is unmanageable. But I think Phlox divaricata is helped along by a shearing of its stems as soon as its flowers have faded. This work is done with ease, with a gardener’s quick gathering of the stems and a single cut or perhaps two. With this simple shearing, a new and lighter flush of flowers can sometimes appear. 

Now, I personally have not had complete success with coaxing out a second round of blooms on Woodland Phlox. And truth being told, I have not had the opportunity to gain yearly experience in testing out the timing of this trimming, as I left my Woodland Phlox in the garden of a home I had in the past… a home I sold. In the garden of the home where I live now, I have not replaced this plant with its unfussy looks and minimal needs, simply because I have not come across it very often. Unlike some of the other Phlox that I love and happen to see quite frequently, Phlox divaricata is a perennial that is not so easy to track down. Nevertheless, tracking it down is worth the effort.

If you find Woodland Phlox for purchase, know that it will not win you over until it gets into the ground and has some time to fill out and flower. The foliage is not gorgeous… fine, but not gorgeous. Furthermore, Phlox divaricata may start out extremely petite, prompting a bit of worry. But do trust, just as we trust in nature to let summer follow spring, that it is a plant that will do well and give you lots of pleasure for years on end.

Native plant, woodland beauty, carefree flowering plant… Phlox divaricata almost sings “spring” if you are fortunate enough to come across it. The singing is not loud, not bold. Instead, it is gentle and sweet, as though the song is very special and sung just for you.