Alphabetical Plant Listing

Phlox pilosa (Prairie Phlox)

Downy Phlox, Prairie Phlox, Fragrant Phlox


Phlox pilosa (Prairie Phlox) is an upright perennial forming clumps of stiff stems clad with widely-spaced, sharply pointed, linear to lanceolate, deep green leaves, 4 in. long (10 cm). Blooming for about 3-4 weeks in late spring to midsummer, a profusion of pleasantly fragrant, starry, pale pink to lavender flowers appear in rounded terminal clusters. Rich in nectar, they attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Stems and leaves are usually covered with soft white hairs, hence the species name. Excellent selection for rock gardens, cottage gardens, wild gardens, native plant gardens or prairies and meadows.

  • Grows up to 12-18 in. tall and wide (30-45 cm). Spreads by rhizomes to form colorful clumps.
  • Performs best in full sun in fertile, moderately dry to moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates part shade but best flower production occurs in full sun. Drought and clay soil tolerant.
  • Excellent choice for rock gardens, cottage gardens, prairies and meadows.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Good resistance to powdery mildew. Deer resistant.
  • Propagation by stem cuttings in late spring, root cuttings taken in fall after leaves have reappeared, or by seed.
  • Native to the eastern United States from Connecticut south to Florida, west to eastern North Dakota, south through the eastern part of the prairie states to most of Oklahoma and Texas.

Not sure which Phlox to pick?
Compare All Phlox

Buy Phlox pilosa (Prairie Phlox)

Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Phlox
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid)
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" (45cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Buy Plants

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Phlox

Guides with Phlox


Joshua Mayer, Flickr

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Phlox
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid)
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" (45cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Phlox

Guides with Phlox

Plant Calculator

How many Phlox pilosa (Prairie Phlox) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Phlox pilosa (Prairie Phlox)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.