Phlox Divaricata 'Manita'

Wild Sweet William,Woodland Phlox

Phlox divaricata ‘Manita’ is a woodland phlox selection grown for fragrant white to very pale blue-white spring flowers, each marked with a darker purple to indigo eye. This herbaceous perennial forms a low, spreading mound of green foliage and is useful in shaded borders, woodland gardens, native-style plantings, pollinator gardens, spring bulb combinations, and small-scale groundcover plantings. Plant Delights describes it as a North Creek Nurseries selection forming an evergreen mound about 18 inches wide, with fragrant white flowers in mid-April to early May in North Carolina.  

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 12–18 in. wide × 10–12 in. tall
USDA Zones: 3a–8b
Form: Low, spreading, mound-forming woodland perennial
Light: Part sun to shade; best in bright shade or morning sun
Soil / Water: Rich, humusy, well-drained soil; even moisture preferred, avoid hot dry sites
Bloom Time / Length: April–May; usually 3–4 weeks
Wildlife: Fragrant flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees

Features & Landscape Uses:
Fragrant pale flowers with a dark eye; compact woodland habit; spring bloom; useful under small trees and shrubs, along shaded paths, in woodland edges, native gardens, cottage gardens, and mixed perennial borders. It pairs well with spring bulbs, especially narcissus, and can slowly spread to form a small patch.

Care:
Plant in organically rich, moist but well-drained soil with good air circulation. Water during dry spells, especially while establishing. Lightly shear or trim after flowering if needed to tidy the planting. Divide in early fall or spring when clumps become crowded. Mt. Cuba noted that ‘Manita’ had poor vigor and summer defoliation from powdery mildew in their shade phlox trial, so avoid overhead watering and very humid, stagnant sites where mildew pressure is high. 

Plant type

Perennial

Height

10-12''

Width

12-18"

Hardiness zones

3–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Late Spring, Mid Spring

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Humus rich, Moist well-drained, Normal

Landscape use

Border, Groundcover

Shape

Low Mounding, Spreading

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No