Native Plants

Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Enter a Plant Name:
Or choose a plant family:

Brundage, Stephanie

Phlox paniculata

Phlox paniculata L.

Fall Phlox, Perennial Phlox

Polemoniaceae (Phlox Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PHPA9

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (I)

Fall phlox is a showy clump-former, reaching a height of 3-4 ft. The pink, lavender, or rarely white flowers are borne in a 4-8 in. wide, terminal cluster. A pyramidal cluster of white to pink or lavender flowers atop a stout, smooth, erect stem. The stem�s narrow, oval leaves are 4-7 in. long.

If found in the wilds beyond its natural range, this species has probably escaped from cultivation. The plant has been widely used as a medicinal herb; the leaf extract is used as a laxative and for treating boils. Many color forms are found in gardens. The very similar Large-leaved Phlox (P. amplifolia) has a hairy stem, only 6-15 leaf pairs below the flower cluster, and a hairless corolla tube; it is found in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

From the Image Gallery

10 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV
Native Distribution: C. NY to MO & KS, s. to NC, TN & LA; an escape elsewhere
Native Habitat: Rich, open woods; thickets; meadows; moist roadsides

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Organic, Loam
Conditions Comments: Plants of this species have furnished the stock for many horticultural varieties. The plant need at least 6 hrs. of sun per day. Powdery mildew is a frequent problem.

Propagation

Description: Increase by stem or root cuttings, division or seed.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU		FACU		FACU	FACU		FACU	FACU	FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
United States Botanic Garden - Washington, DC

Bibliography

Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. Wasowski
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Phlox paniculata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Phlox paniculata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Phlox paniculata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2017-12-12
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back