This long-blooming perennial wildflower has showy, light to dark pink flowers from May through June. The colors and fragrance are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and cloudwing skippers. It forms clumps 1 to 2 feet tall and spreads gradually but easily in full to part sun and a wide range of moist to slightly dry soil types, including clay. A dressing of mulch helps to keep the roots cool during hot summers.
Pilosa means hairy (another common name), referring to the soft, white hairs on the stems, leaves, and calyx. The downy hairs set P. pilosa apart from other phloxes. Also known as prairie phlox, this uncommon phlox is usually found in prairies and other higher quality, open habitats. Use in sunny meadows, rock or cottage gardens, woodland areas, and in drought-tolerant gardens. This species shows resistance to powdery mildew.
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 1-2’ tall and 1-1 ½’ wide.
Prefers full sun or part shade.
Grows in well-drained moist or dry soils, including clay, sandy, and shallow rocky. Tolerant of dry soils. Prefers acidic or neutral pH.
Blooms May-June. Often displays dark pink pattern at the base of the corolla lobes. The stamens are not visible.
Wildlife Value:
Flowers attract little carpenter, cuckoo, and metallic bees; and American painted lady, sulfur, and swallowtail butterflies. Rabbits, deer, and groundhogs browse the foliage.
Medicinal, Edible, and Other Uses:
Meskwaki Indians used an infusion of leaves to treat eczema and to cure and purify the blood. They also used a compound containing the root to make a 'love medicine'.
Resources:
Floristic Quality Assessment Index of Ohio
https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/epa.ohio.gov/Portals/35/wetlands/Ohio_FQAI.pdf
North Carolina Extension
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/phlox-pilosa/
Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
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