Comments on: Phlox Divaricata Clouds of Perfume

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:55:31 +0000

Jennifer, I find that mine spreads nicely now, but does not bother the surrounding plants. It spreads gently into open space. At first, I had mine in a really tough spot, extra shady and right next to the greedy willow tree. Now that it is in a mostly shady area, but with an hour or two of dappled light, and a few metres (yards) from the tree trunks, it really flourishes. The flowers look great against a green background, and the only thing that would improve it is a longer bloom time.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:15:19 +0000

I love this plant and cant wait for it to spread so I can take some cuttings. I have a woodland garden and it just looks great when the blooms blow in the wind. Fantastic.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:07:55 +0000

SchneiderHein, I love Phlox divaricata when it is in bloom in the spring. It really catchers they eye when those lavender flowers are all out. It is fairly plain when it’s not in bloom, so now I have some Heuchera in front of it, and you see the more attractive Heuchera leaves for the rest of the season.

By: SchneiderHein

SchneiderHein — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:52:54 +0000

Yes, I can remember… It’s a little bit sad for me to see all these wonderful small shrubs, we had in our garden too. Now they are lost beauties and we know, that we haven’t any place for them.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:11:43 +0000

Dave, my Phlox divaricata stays healthy, and gets no powdery mildew (knock on mulch). They are in the shadow of trees, plus they are on the north side of a fence, so they get an hour or two of early morning sun. They thrive in this location, with healthy foliage and lots of blooms. I do water the garden with a hose, so they are not getting stressed from lack of moisture. I really like the flowers on this perennial, but wish it had a longer bloom time.

I haven’t had any problems with powdery mildew on my Phlox paniculata ‘David’ yet. Paniculata are especially prone to it, but ‘David’ is more resistant, which might help. I grew other types of phlox in my last garden, and never had a problem either. I’ve added P. paniculata ‘David’s Lavender’ this year, so we’ll see how it does.

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:28:52 +0000

Hi Northern Shade: Thanks for posting on the Phlox divaricata. I spent part of last winter dreaming of using them for a shady West side yard that got converted from grass/moss last year to mulch to match a change that the neighbour decided on. Spruce and lilac roots grab most of the moisture and maybe an hour or two of late afternoon sun makes it to the ground.

Haven’t been able to find Phlox divaricata yet, but I put in a couple of Phlox ‘Dwarf Compact’ that I grew from seed. They are compact, but doing well enough in several colours (although I think they prefer full sun). I guess that will be a temporary measure, though, since much to my surprise this species (Phlox drummondi) is an annual (duh!). I guess that will give me more time to prepare a bed and find some ‘Clouds of Perfume’.

Have you had any problems with powdery mildew with your ‘Clouds of Perfume’? I’ve read that the fungus is a problem with some Phlox varieties and the soil in this West side strip is dry, poor, and just beyond the reach of the garden hose, so keeping the soil moist is work.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:41:18 +0000

Jan, the phlox is starting to fade now, but the Heuchera in front look like they’re about to open. I love the succession of blooms in the garden, since there is always something to look forward to.
Have a great vacation, and have fun planting your new additions when you return.

By: Jan (ThanksFor2Day)

Jan (ThanksFor2Day) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:20:39 +0000

I just purchased some creeping phlox, which blooms in spring…but right now I don’t know the name of it. I’m on vacation, and it is sitting in containers at home, ready to plant in the garden! I will check to see if it’s the same as yours. If not, I’ll be out at the garden centers looking for Clouds of Perfume;-)

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:20:47 +0000

Gail, that sounds like a wonderful combination. I have some Heuchera in front of them now, and they work well together. With the quick succession in spring, each week looks a little different.

By: Gail

Gail — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:22:47 +0000

P divaricata is a wonderful plant…and ‘Clouds of Perfume’ sounds delicious. I’ve a similar colored one planted with tiarellas and Christmas Ferns beneath Oakleaf Hydrangea. I love spring. gail