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Vibrant purple flowers that last for weeks and weeks.

Phlox Violet Pinwheels

Phlox ‘Violet Pinwheels’ is a new direction in moss phlox breeding, combining the best traits of two lesser-known species, Phlox bifida and Phlox kelseyi. Blooming commences in early to mid-April in northern Illinois, well ahead of many other spring-blooming plants in the garden. The vibrant purple to violet flowers cover the low-

Enjoy its vibrant purple to violet flowers in early spring when so few other plants are in bloom; yet its bloom season is so long it will still flower magnificently into mid- and late spring. You will also be rewarded by the occasional rebloom through the summer and fall. The slightly upturned, notched, brilliantly colored flowers truly are unique among all the spring-blooming moss phlox. Both full sun and a well-drained soil are recommended. Drought-tolerant once established. This selection will thrive on a high pH soil and should also be very tolerant of deicing salts. If properly sited it should spread over time, making a low-growing groundcover. Otherwise, maintenance is minimal, and no pruning is ever necessary. Foliage will be deciduous most winters but will renew itself each spring. Both full sun and a well-drained soil are recommended. Drought-tolerant once established. This selection will thrive on a high pH soil and should also be very tolerant of deicing salts. If properly sited it should spread over time, making a low-growing groundcover. Otherwise, maintenance is minimal, and no pruning is ever necessary. Foliage will be deciduous most winters but will renew itself each spring.

Please note: We don't sell plants. Asking your local retailer or googling the plant name is the easiest way to find someone selling our plants.

Please note: Download hi-res photos from the photo gallery at the bottom of the page.


Who Am I?

  • Common Name

    Violet Pinwheels phlox
  • Botanical Name

    Phlox 'Violet Pinwheels' PP25884
  • Type

    Perennial
  • US Native?

    YES
  • Origin

    Derived from a cross between Phlox bifida and Phlox kelseyi ‘Lemhi Purple’, Phlox bifida is a midwestern species with lobed light blue or white flowers that grows on sandy soils or on lime- stone outcrops. Phlox kelseyi, with its violet to purple flowers, grows on highly alkaline and saline desert soils in Idaho and Montana. An intriguing marriage of east and west! Selected in 2010 from a cross made in 2008 at the Chicago Botanic Garden by Jim Ault, Ph.D.

  • Bloom Time

    Spring to summer
  • Bloom Color

    Violet

Cultural Details

  • Bloom Time

    Spring to summer
  • Size

    4" tall by 19" wide
  • Hardiness Zone

    4-7
  • Light

    Full sun
  • Soil

    Adaptable to average garden soils.
  • Moisture

    Moist to dry, but sharply drained, especially in winter. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Disease & Pests

    Unlike the summer-blooming phlox (Phlox maculata and Phlox paniculata), this and other moss phlox are not beset by powdery mildew or browsed by deer or rabbits.
  • Landscape Use

    Borders, mass plantings, rock gardens, hanging over a wall, slopes
  • Propagation

    Softwood Cuttings
  • Propagation Notes

    Easy to root from shoot tip cuttings taken from the vegetative growth that commences as flowering is finishing in early to mid-June.

Available Photos

Hover over images to download hi-res files.