Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

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Photo:

Spreading Phlox

Mat Phlox

Latin Name:

Phlox diffusa

A very popular spring bloomer. Linear, green leaves form a low growing mat.

Taxon ID#

70 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

Family:

Polemoniaceae

Origins:

Plant Type:

Herbaceous Plant, Perennial

It is native to western North America from British Columbia to the southwestern United States to the Dakotas, where it grows in many types of habitat, including rocky, high elevation mountain slopes.

Oregon native:

yes

Western state native:

yes

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

The linear, lance-shaped, or needle-like leaves are no more than 1.5 centimeters long and are oppositely arranged in bundles on the short stems.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Pink

Flower Description:

The inflorescence is a solitary tubular flower around a centimeter long. It has a flat white or pale pink or blue corolla with five lobes each just under a centimeter in length.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

Mature height:

4-6"

Mature spread:

18-14"

Growth rate:

Slow

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

yes

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Dry, rocky mountain sites

Attracts Birds:

no

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

no

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

yes

Windbreak:

no

Cover Structures:

no

Ground Cover:

yes

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

yes

Adds Texture/Movement:

no

First Bloom:

Apr

Last Bloom:

Jun

Ornamental Accent:

no

Garden Observations:

2 of 3 plants died first year (2020-21)

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Summer Care:

Fall Care:

Winter Care:

Long Term Care:

Insect Pests:

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

Environmental Problems:

Landscape Problems:

Care Comments:

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

USDA Plants:

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PHDI3

Calscape Database:

https://calscape.org/Phlox-diffusa-(Spreading-Phlox)?srchcr=sc5fb04e34a891a

LBJ Native Plant Database:

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PHDI3

Missouri Botanical Garden Database:

Monrovia Profile:

Alternate Source 1:

Alternate Source 2:

Source Comment:

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

​

Spreading Phlox

Mat Phlox

​

Latin Name:

Taxon ID#

70

MAINTENANCE

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

​

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Fertilizer Needs:

​

Recommended Mulch:

​

Family:

Origins:

Plant Type:

Herbaceous Plant, Perennial

It is native to western North America from British Columbia to the southwestern United States to the Dakotas, where it grows in many types of habitat, including rocky, high elevation mountain slopes.

Oregon native:

yes

Western state native:

yes

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

The linear, lance-shaped, or needle-like leaves are no more than 1.5 centimeters long and are oppositely arranged in bundles on the short stems.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Pink

Flower Description:

The inflorescence is a solitary tubular flower around a centimeter long. It has a flat white or pale pink or blue corolla with five lobes each just under a centimeter in length.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

​

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

​

Mature height:

4-6"

Mature spread:

18-14"

Growth rate:

Slow

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

yes

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Dry, rocky mountain sites

Attracts Birds:

no

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

​

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

no