woodland wildflower

Prairie phlox

Phlox pilosa

Also known as Downy Phlox, Fragrant Phlox

Native to much of the USA

Connecticut south to Florida, west to eastern North Dakota, south through the eastern part of the prairie states to most of Oklahoma and Texas as far as west Texas, south into Coahuila

Light Full sun to part shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Dry Moisture preference
Zones 4–9 Cold to heat range
Bloom Mar–May Flowering time
Height up to 2 ft to 0.6 m
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

Full details, see below

In the garden

A woodland wildflower for full sun to part shade and lean, dry soil. At up to 2 ft, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 4–9.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

Pollinators & wildlife

Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee

also Eastern Carpenter Bee, American Bumble Bee, Tricolored Bumble Bee +13 more
Black-and-gold Bumble Bee, Eastern Thistle Longhorn Bee, Anthophora ursina, Nomada superba, Triepeolus cressonii, Cresson's Nomad Bee, False Sunflower Cuckoo Nomad Bee, Broad-faced Masked Bee, Forbes's Sweat Bee, Denticulate Nomad, Coelioxys modesta, Blueberry Digger Bee, Tetragona dissecta
Butterflies Monarch

also Pearl Crescent, Silver-spotted Skipper, American Lady +11 more
Orange Sulphur, Clouded Sulphur, Eastern Black Swallowtail, Peck's Skipper, Least Skipper, Dusted Skipper, Papilio cresphontes, Cynthia cardui, Thorybes daunus, Polites coras, Thorybes pylades
Flower flies Wavy Mucksucker also Bombylius atriceps, Maize Calligrapher
Also visited by
- Moths:
  
  Yellow-collared Scape Moth, Nessus Sphinx +1 more
  Celery Looper Moth
- Beetles: Zebra Longhorn Beetle, Acmaeodera tubulus

Butterflies that use this plant

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: Much of the USAUnited States (33): AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Connecticut south to Florida, west to eastern North Dakota, south through the eastern part of the prairie states to most of Oklahoma and Texas as far as west Texas, south into CoahuilaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Growing conditions

Light: Full sun to part shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 4–9 · Canadian 4–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Sandy or rocky, well-drained soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Water use: LowHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.

Growth & form

Height: up to 2 ft (to 0.6 m)Typical mature height.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: Mar–MayWhen it flowers.
Flower color: White, Pink, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
Fruit/Seeds: CapsuleThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.