Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Wild Sweet William

Phlox divaricata
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June)
Main Color: Blue, Pink / Rose, Purple, White
Fall Color:

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Purple flowers and green foliage.
Photo: Mervin Wallace
Sun Exposure 
Medium Sun/Average Shade, Shade
Soil
Moisture
Moderate
Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Hummingbird
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Nectar
Animal
Resistance
Size

Height:

12 to
16
inches

Spread:

12 to
inches
Size
Height: 12 to
16
inches
Spread: 12 to
inches
Size
Height: 12 to
16
inches
Spread: 12 to
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Provides welcome early color in shady borders, wild gardens, woodlands and naturalized areas.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grows best in well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Special Features
Evergreen
Special Usage
Fragrant, Ground Cover, Salt Tolerant
Basic Description

Loose clusters of white to blue to blue-violet, star-shaped flowers early in spring provide nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies. The flowers are sweetly scented. Evergreen basal.

Where Should I Start?

Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.

What’s the Next Step?

Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!

Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?

Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.

Support the Grow Native! Program
Skip to content