Blue Moon Woodland Phlox

Blue Moon Garden Phlox – Fragrant Woodland Native Charm

We're bringing you the moon! The Blue Moon Garden Phlox (Phlox divaricata 'Blue Moon'), also known as Woodland Phlox, is a native woodland wildflower beloved for its dense clusters of soft violet-blue, lightly fragrant blooms! This perennial is spring-blooming, pollinator-friendly, and thrives in dappled light!

It's compact and low-growing, perfect for tucking into shady borders, under deciduous trees, or naturalized woodland settings. In early to mid-spring, the plant bursts into bloom with clusters of starry, five-petaled flowers that range from lavender to powder blue. Pollinators flock to it, especially early-emerging butterflies and native bees!

Forming a lush, low mound, Phlox divaricata spreads politely by creeping rhizomes (underground stems), making it a slow but steady groundcover. Its semi-evergreen foliage is lanceolate, long and pointed, held on wiry, branching stems that rarely grow taller than 6-12 inches and spread about 1-2 feet wide. The leaves may stay green through a mild winter, giving this Phlox an early jumpstart come spring!

Culturally symbolic of harmony, sweet dreams, and resilience, Phlox divaricata and its cultivars like 'Blue Moon' remind us how nature layers texture, scent, and charm into the shade garden.

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Key Features

• Native woodland wildflower with fragrant blooms
• Deep blue-violet flowers in spring
• Compact, ground-hugging growth habit
• Excellent pollinator plant
• Deer-resistant and semi-evergreen foliage
• Reblooms lightly if deadheaded
• Spreads slowly by rhizomes
• Cold-hardy USDA Planting Zones 3 to 8

Landscaping Uses

Blue Moon Phlox is deer-resistant, never fussy, and fits beautifully into native plantings, wildflower gardens, shady borders, or even as a flowering groundcover in large containers! Use this native, fragrant perennial as a 12-inch-tall, 1-2 feet wide spreading groundcover for shade. It grows in graceful clumps and fills in woodland-style spaces with blue-hued charm!

• Groundcover beneath deciduous trees
• Shade gardens, Moon Gardens, and woodland borders
• Edging for shady paths or patio borders
• Works nicely in shaded patio and porch containers
• Underplanting for shrubs or beneath the canopy of trees
• Mixed native perennial beds and Pollinator Borders
• Melds well with other shade lovers like Bleeding Hearts, Brunnera, Ferns, and Heuchera

Care and Maintenance

Woodland Phlox is native to eastern North America's deciduous woodlands, where it grows beneath forest canopies in rich, moist soil. It's highly adaptable and cold-hardy, perfect for USDA Zones 3 through 8. As an herbaceous perennial, Blue Moon Woodland Phlox dies back in winter but returns each spring with fresh growth and flowers. It is low maintenance, shade-tolerant, and adapted to rich, moist soils.

• Planting Time: Spring or fall
• Sun Needs: Part shade to full shade (especially in hotter growing zones)
• Soil Needs: Rich, loamy, moist, well-drained soil; tolerates clay with compost
• Moisture Needs: Prefers consistent moisture, especially in spring
• Arborist Mulch: 3-4 inch deep layer of leaf matter, bark mulch, or arborist wood chips keeps roots cool and moist
  Fertilization Needs: Light compost topdressing in spring; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers
• Pruning Info: Deadhead after bloom to encourage rebloom; trim back faded stems in late fall or early spring
• Special Perks/Growing Tip:
• Deer resistant
• Handles light clay
• Native plant
• Tolerates humidity and seasonal wetness
• Division Info: Divide every 3-4 years in early spring or fall to maintain vigor

Make Room For The Moon!

Let the Blue Moon rise in your shade garden! With a color like twilight and a scent that dances on spring air, this native charmer is the perfect answer to "What do I plant under my trees?" No woodland garden should be without this subtly showy, fragrant native Phlox.

Buy now, and Nature Hills will bring this glowing blue beauty to your doorstep!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blue Moon Phlox the same as Woodland Phlox?
Yes, Blue Moon is a cultivated variety of Phlox divaricata, also called Woodland Phlox. It's selected for its especially vivid blue flowers and dense growth.

Will Woodland Phlox rebloom?
It blooms heavily in spring and may rebloom lightly with consistent deadheading and adequate moisture.

How do I keep Woodland Phlox from spreading too much?
It spreads slowly by rhizomes. To manage spread, divide clumps every few years and remove any wayward runners.

Can I grow Blue Moon Phlox in containers?
Yes! Use a shady container garden with moisture-retentive soil and companion shade plants.

Is Woodland Phlox evergreen?
It's semi-evergreen in mild winters, but in colder climates, the top growth dies back and reliably returns in spring.

Is Blue Moon Phlox deer-resistant?
Yes, it's not a favorite of deer and tends to be left alone.

What's the difference between Creeping Phlox and Woodland Phlox?
Creeping Phlox (P. subulata) is a sun-loving groundcover with needle-like leaves, while Woodland Phlox (P. divaricata) prefers shade and has broader leaves with taller flower stems.