Phlox pilosa
DOWNY PRAIRIE PHLOX
SKU: 509-010
Description
Phlox pilosa, the downy phlox or prairie phlox, is an herbaceous plant native to eastern North America, where it is found in open areas such as prairies and woodlands.
Downy phlox is a perennial that grows 6–24 in (15–61 cm) high. The stems are upright and sometimes branched near the top. The flowers grow in rounded clusters up to 3 in (8 cm) at the top of stems. Each flower has five lobes (petals) that are pale pink, lavender, or purple, and is 1⁄2–3⁄4 in (13–19 mm) across. Flowers are slightly fragrant.
The flowers are ideal for butterflies, as they produce pollen on anthers near the end of the corolla tube, and nectar at the bottom of the corolla. Only butterflies, moths, skippers, and very long-tongued bees (the largest bumblebees) have long enough tongues to reach the nectar. Shorter-tongued bees and flower flies cannot reach the nectar.
Type: Hardy perennial
Height: 12", 30cm
Location: Sun or part shade
Hardiness zones: 4-7
Seeds per pack: 10
Germination: Start these seeds right away for best germination rates. Start indoors. Your planting container should have holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Leave them at room temperature for 4 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. They will not grow yet. Then a cooling period is required. Cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 80 days. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool room (15C, 59F) for them to germinate. Germination is generally 30-90 days after the warming period, though some can take longer.
Description
Phlox pilosa, the downy phlox or prairie phlox, is an herbaceous plant native to eastern North America, where it is found in open areas such as prairies and woodlands.
Downy phlox is a perennial that grows 6–24 in (15–61 cm) high. The stems are upright and sometimes branched near the top. The flowers grow in rounded clusters up to 3 in (8 cm) at the top of stems. Each flower has five lobes (petals) that are pale pink, lavender, or purple, and is 1⁄2–3⁄4 in (13–19 mm) across. Flowers are slightly fragrant.
The flowers are ideal for butterflies, as they produce pollen on anthers near the end of the corolla tube, and nectar at the bottom of the corolla. Only butterflies, moths, skippers, and very long-tongued bees (the largest bumblebees) have long enough tongues to reach the nectar. Shorter-tongued bees and flower flies cannot reach the nectar.
Type: Hardy perennial
Height: 12", 30cm
Location: Sun or part shade
Hardiness zones: 4-7
Seeds per pack: 10
Germination: Start these seeds right away for best germination rates. Start indoors. Your planting container should have holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Leave them at room temperature for 4 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. They will not grow yet. Then a cooling period is required. Cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 80 days. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool room (15C, 59F) for them to germinate. Germination is generally 30-90 days after the warming period, though some can take longer.
