Getting it to bloom
Why won't my Clouds of Perfume Woodland Phlox bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called Clouds of Perfume woodland phlox, woodland phlox, wild blue phlox, wild sweet William (Phlox divaricata 'Clouds of Perfume').
More about clouds of perfume woodland phlox
About Clouds of Perfume Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata 'Clouds of Perfume' · also called Clouds of Perfume woodland phlox, woodland phlox · flowering
A fragrant, semi-evergreen woodland perennial native to eastern North America, producing clouds of pale lavender-blue flowers with a sweet, violet-like scent in spring (April–May). It thrives in dappled shade with moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer, making it ideal for naturalistic plantings under deciduous trees. The most important care fact is to keep the soil consistently moist, as drought stress in summer triggers powdery mildew. Phlox is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses according to the ASPCA.
Plant type: flowering
Watch for — Rabbit grazing: Rabbits readily browse new growth and flower stems; protect young plants with wire guards in areas with high rabbit pressure, or surround plantings with rabbit-repellent companion plants such as ornamental alliums.
The reasons clouds of perfume woodland phlox isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming clouds of perfume woodland phlox traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:
- Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
- Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
- The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
- Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
- It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.
Feeding clouds of perfume woodland phlox a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
The fix — how to get clouds of perfume woodland phlox to flower
- Maximise sun. Give clouds of perfume woodland phlox the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
- Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
- Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
- Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.
Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for clouds of perfume woodland phlox and get the feeding right with the clouds of perfume woodland phlox fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.
Bloom season and what to expect
Clouds of Perfume Woodland Phlox flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
Post-bloom care so it flowers again
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full clouds of perfume woodland phlox care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
Clouds of Perfume Woodland Phlox blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my clouds of perfume woodland phlox flower?
Clouds of Perfume Woodland Phlox blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
How do I make clouds of perfume woodland phlox bloom?
Give clouds of perfume woodland phlox the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
When does clouds of perfume woodland phlox normally bloom?
Clouds of Perfume Woodland Phlox flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
What should I do with clouds of perfume woodland phlox after it flowers?
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
What is the single biggest mistake stopping clouds of perfume woodland phlox flowering?
Feeding clouds of perfume woodland phlox a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- Clouds of Perfume Woodland Phlox care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- Clouds of Perfume Woodland Phlox light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- Clouds of Perfume Woodland Phlox fertilising — the right feed for buds, not just leaves
- Should I water my plant? The simple check
- Why is my plant wilting? Wet vs dry
- Underwatered plant — signs and rehydration
- Why won't my peace lily bloom?
- Why won't my jade plant bloom?
- Why won't my tomato bloom?
- All 4114 bloom guides in the Growli library