Phlox maculata

Spotted Phlox, Summer Phlox, Meadow Phlox, Wild Sweet William, Speckled Phlox

Speckled Phlox is an upright, clumping, herbaceous perennial with beautiful bright clusters of small, aromatic, tubular flowers. It grows in moist meadows, along riverbanks and in bottomland woodland openings in the eastern mountains and piedmont and in the midwest, although it is not really common in the wild. Generally unbranched, the sturdy stems of Speckled Phlox average between one and three feet tall and are marked with distinctive red spots (a diagnostic character). In the summer, the flower clusters appear in various shades of pink, lavender or white on terminal panicles, and last up to two months. They are pleasantly scented and are known to attract hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. Speckled phlox is considered less susceptible to powdery mildew than Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata). With tall sturdy stems, Speckled Phlox makes a great cut flower. It prefers full sun to part shade and average to moist soil conditions. It is sensitive to drought and should be watered if rainfall is scarce. Speckled Phlox will spread slowly by rhizomes and self seeding, but is easily controlled.