Phlox pilosa, Prairie phlox, Quart pot

Phlox pilosa, Prairie phlox

FS-PS, Zone 3, blooms May-July, 2’ x 1’, medium wet to medium dry, sand to loam.

This plant is often confused with Dame’s Rocket, which is an aggressive introduced species. The difference is that Prairie phlox has five petals per flower, whereas Dames Rocket has four. Prairie Phlox grows best in full sun and is tolerant of dry conditions. An excellent plant for naturalized settings, its rhizomes spread slowly and its flowers are fragrant and long lasting.

Attracts native bees, butterflies, Clearwing Hummingbird moths and hummingbirds. The flower shape has a long corolla that restricts access to its nectar, which can be collected by long-tongued bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds. The five petal shape provides a perfect landing platform for butterflies who are the primary pollinator of prairie phlox. Small native bees feed on the pollen-rich anthers. Host plant for the Plox Moth.