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A native of the eastern U.S., this spreading woodland plant has sweet blue flowers, which look wonderful at the front of the spring border. They bloom at the same time as tulips, violas, and other early spring ephemerals.

Latin Name

Phlox divaricata


Family

Polemoniaceae


Also Known As

Wild Sweet William


Type of Plant

Perennials Perennials

Bloom Season

April - May

Seasons

Spring Spring

Specifications

Max height Max Height: 1.5'
Max spread Max Spread: 1.5'

Uses

  • Flower Border
  • Naturalize

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Shade Full Shade
    Part Shade Part Shade

    Tolerances

  • Clay Soil
  • Deer
  • Drought
  • Dry Soil
  • Heavy Shade

  • Attracted Wildlife

    Butterflies Butterflies
    Hummingbirds Hummingbirds

    Colors


    Native Range

    Eastern North America


    History

    Lady Jean Skipwith grew woodland phlox at her Virginia plantation in 1793.


    Planted at Mount Vernon

    Planted at Mount Vernon Upper Garden

  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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