Phlox bifida
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Tried and True Recommended by 2 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: sand phlox
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Polemoniaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Native Range: Central United States
Height: 0.25 to 0.5 feet
Spread: 0.5 to 1 feet
Bloom Time: May
Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Description: Pale blue to nearly white
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers, Fragrant Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought, Deer
Uses: Groundcover, Erosion Control, Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. Best in full sun. Tolerant of drought and poor soils. Plants may self-seed in optimum growing conditions. Can slowly spread over time to form large colonies.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Sand phlox is a mat-forming phlox that grows to only 6” tall, and spreads by trailing or spreading stems and self-seeding. Native from Michigan to Iowa south to Kentucky, Arkansas and Oklahoma. It is somewhat uncommon in Missouri where it typically grows in upland woods, ravine slopes and bluff ledges in dry, rocky soils of limestone, chert or granite (Steyermark). This creeping phlox features 5-lobed, pale blue to almost white flowers with tubular corollas. Blooms in spring (May). Each flower petal (corolla lobe) has a deep notch (to 1/8” long). Small, linear, lance-shaped, bright green leaves (to 2” long).

Problems

Although many species of phlox are susceptible to powdery mildew and root rot, this native species of phlox is noted for having excellent resistance to both problems if sited in a proper location.

Garden Uses

Sand phlox is an excellent spring-blooming phlox for the rock garden, perennial border, cottage garden, wildflower meadow or native plant garden.

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