The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: wild blue phlox, wild-sweet-William, woodland phlox

Family: Polemoniaceae (phlox family)

Distribution: c. and e. North America

Hardiness: USDA Zone 3

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: Wild blue phlox is usually found in rich woods, field, and along streams. Clusters of fragrant, tubular flowers appear in April to May, ranging in color from shades of blue to purple to pink. The stems of plants are often hairy and sticky. When it's not in bloom, wild blue phlox is fairly nondescript and can often be mistaken for a weed. Butterflies, particuarly tiger swallowtails, moths and bumblebees are the main pollinators of this plant. A common garden-cultivated plant, a number of cultivars also exist like 'Blue Moon' and 'Fuller's White'.