Phlox divaricata 'May Breeze'

Phlox divaricata 'May Breeze': Pale Scented Stars to Brighten Dim Corners

Starry, icy blue flowers that read as white from across the yard, drifting through the shade like a cool spring breeze. 'May Breeze' smells as sweet as it looks. AIR FRESHENER COMPANIES ARE NERVOUS.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Phlox divaricata 'May Breeze'
• Common Name: Woodland Phlox, Wild Blue Phlox
• Height: 30–40 cm (12–16 in) in flower
• Spread: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
• Flowers: Starry, very pale icy blue that reads as white from a distance, sweetly fragrant
• Bloom Time: Mid to late spring (May to June)
• Foliage: Low, dark green leaves on spreading stems that root as they go
• Features: Fragrant, spreads gently into a patch

Where to Plant: Use it at the front of a shade border, along a woodland path or tucked under deciduous trees and shrubs. The pale flowers brighten dim corners, especially at dusk, and a few plants together knit into a soft, scented carpet.

Companion Plants: Pulmonaria 'Moonshine' flowers blue in April and May, just ahead of the phlox. Heuchera 'Grape Soda' adds low pink flowers from May to August. Astilbe 'Amethyst' rises behind with purple plumes at 90 to 100 cm in June and July. The white phlox glows between them in shade or part shade.

Plant Care: Plant in part shade to full shade in moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Leaf mould or compost helps. It tolerates more sun where summers are cool, as long as the soil doesn't dry out. Water during dry spells, especially in its first year. After flowering, trim the spent stems back to tidy the plant and encourage fresh leaves. Divide in spring or right after bloom if you want more plants. Rabbits and deer sometimes nibble woodland phlox, so watch new growth.

History: Woodland phlox, Phlox divaricata, grows wild in moist deciduous woods across eastern North America, including southern Ontario and Quebec. 'May Breeze' was selected in the Netherlands, and Heritage Perennials credits Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf with the selection.

Final Thoughts: Its stems root as they go, so a few plants slowly become a patch. The butterflies notice. FREE REAL ESTATE.