Phlox – Mountain

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Mountain Phlox (Linanthus grandiflorus), also known as Large-Flowered Linanthus, is a delicate California native annual wildflower with slender, upright stems and fine, thread-like foliage. It produces abundant small, tubular flowers in shades of white, pale pink, lavender, and soft purple. Plants generally grow about 12–24 inches tall.

Mountain Phlox grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It is particularly well suited to sandy and gravelly soils and can tolerate relatively dry conditions once established. It performs best where winter and spring moisture support growth before summer conditions become hot and dry.

This annual is well suited to wildflower meadows, coastal prairie plantings, naturalized landscapes, borders, restoration projects, containers, and mixed wildflower gardens. Its fine foliage and airy growth habit allow it to blend naturally with grasses and other wildflowers.

The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. Its abundant spring and summer flowers make it a useful addition to diverse pollinator plantings.

Mountain Phlox completes its life cycle within one growing season. After flowering, plants produce seed and die back. Allowing mature seed to fall can encourage natural reseeding where growing conditions are favorable.

Native Range

California.

Mountain Phlox is native and endemic to California, where it occurs in open sandy areas, coastal prairie, grasslands, coastal scrub, foothill woodlands, and other open habitats.

Pacific Northwest Planting

Although Mountain Phlox is not native to the Pacific Northwest, it can be grown successfully as an annual in the region.

Fall planting is preferred in areas with relatively mild winters. Early spring planting is also successful where winter conditions are too cold for fall establishment.

Prepare a firm, weed-free seed bed and broadcast the seed over the soil surface. Press it firmly into good contact with the soil and avoid burying it deeply.

Fall Planting

Fall planting is a good option in areas with mild winters.

Sow after temperatures have cooled and fall moisture is available. Broadcast the seed evenly over the prepared planting area and press it into the soil surface.

Fall planting allows plants to take advantage of cool-season moisture and can result in earlier spring growth and flowering.

Spring Planting

Mountain Phlox can also be planted in early spring.

Prepare a firm, weed-free seed bed and broadcast the seed directly onto the soil surface. Press the seed into good soil contact and avoid deep burial.

Early spring planting is preferable to late spring planting, particularly in areas where summer temperatures become hot and dry.

Planting in Other Regions

Mountain Phlox is best suited to regions with a cool to moderate growing season and relatively dry summers.

It performs particularly well in full sun and well-drained sandy or gravelly soils. In warmer climates, planting early enough for the plants to complete flowering before intense summer heat can improve performance.

Establishment & Growth

Mountain Phlox establishes readily from direct seeding when provided with good soil contact and adequate moisture during germination.

Plants develop fine, branching foliage followed by numerous flowers during the growing season. Flowering generally occurs from spring into summer, with timing depending on climate, planting date, and available moisture.

Once plants have finished flowering, allowing seed to mature can help maintain the species in naturalized plantings.

Choosing the Right Site

Choose a location with full sun and well-drained soil.

Mountain Phlox is particularly well suited to:

• Wildflower meadows
• Coastal prairie plantings
• Sandy sites
• Gravelly soils
• Naturalized landscapes
• Restoration projects
• Native and regional wildflower mixes
• Garden borders
• Containers
• Mixed annual wildflower plantings

Its fine texture and airy growth habit make it especially useful among taller or more substantial wildflowers.

Pollinator & Wildlife Value

Mountain Phlox provides nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects.

Its numerous flowers can add an important seasonal source of floral resources to mixed wildflower plantings.

Larger Quantities

For quantities larger than those currently listed for sale, please contact us for availability and pricing.

Seeding Rates

The broadcast rate for seeding is 6–7.5 pounds per acre.

The seed drill rate for seeding in rows is 3 pounds per acre.