 Phlox divaricata |
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Blue phlox is also commonly called wild Sweet William, but that name is discouraged. Dianthus barbatus also carries the name of Sweet William and confusion enough exists in the area of common names.
Phlox divaricata can be found growing in relatively rich woodland soils. Clumps are especially nice when found growing in somewhat open spots along rocky cliffs or an eastern exposure at woodland edge. Locations with a bit more light seem to have larger masses of foliage and bloom. The foliage, while not particularly showy in winter, does remain evergreen. Stems creep slowly outward to form a rather loose mat. When a node stays in contact with soil or leaf mulch, roots form, and when that node has established itself a new stem begins to form. Leaves are oblong to ovate in outline and can reach two inches in length with a width of about 3/4 inches.
The plant is also pretty prolific in seed production and almost as good in distribution. After a few years blue phlox will begin to pop up here and there in the garden. I would not consider the plant aggressive, but I have a good size garden appreciating this plant's willingness to travel. Watch for variations on a theme, as blue phlox is, indeed, from the wild. Phlox divaricata freely hybridizes with its own kind. If you have an alba form, or named selection, they will readily cross.
The flower stems are slender, unbranched and sticky-hairy. At the top of each stem is a loose cluster of light blue to lavender-blue one-inch flowers. Each petal is notched, but the degree of notching varies from plant to plant, as does the hue of bloom color. Blooms also change hue as they age.
There are now numerous hybrids and forms to choose from ranging from snow white to bi-colors.
The wood poppy, also know as Celandine poppy, is a backbone or workhorse plant for the shade garden. It can be "dressed" up or "down" for native garden or more formal mixed perennial bed. The plants begin to bloom in late March to early April here. The main flush of flowers is April and into May, but it will continue to bloom on and off throughout the year into hard frost in fall. If wood poppy is deadheaded, as one would a perennial, the blooms will be more numerous in consistent flushes.
Flowers are four-petaled, each petal about one inch long, in a saucer shape. The petals are bright sunshine-yellow and the golden boss that sits in the middle enhances the effect. Buds are well above the foliage and made up of two whitish, hairy, sepals.
Seedpods are large, prominent, hairy fruit capsules. When the fruit splits open numerous brown gooey-covered seeds with fleshy tails spill out around the parent plant. Ants and other insects love the fleshy tails and carry the seed about freely. The seed is woody and not editable so this part is discarded to become a new plant. If you have a small garden I would recommend removing seedpods before maturity.
Foliage is lobed, carrying a bluish-white cast upon emergence. When in bloom the height is about one to one and half feet. The long taproot prefers deep rich soil on slopes but it will settle in far less and do quite well.
Wood poppy and sweet William make great gardening companions, co-existing well, seeming to work out their territorial disputes. Foliage is quite complimentary in shape and texture. Blue and yellow is a classic color combination. I look forward every April to their combined show.