Florida has a number of Phlox species, almost all found in forested settings. The common roadside species (Phlox drummondii) is not a Florida native (Texas) -- it is a North American native and not believed to be harmful to the ecology of Florida as it spreads almost exclusively in disturbed, sunny areas (old fields, roadsides). Phlox can be either annual or perennial depending on species. Most grow as annuals. We encourage you to use species found naturally in your area.  Some phlox are annuals; some are perennial. Wildflower garden, typically q shade garden.

Fragrant flowers and crushed foliage smells like limes. Dioecious: male and female flowers are on separate plants. Hedge, buffer or screen plant where its thorns will be an asset. Foliage is aromatic.  This author has one growing as a specimen plant and loves its shape and the shiny green rather lacey foliage.

Two varieties exist, both occur in this area. Wildflower garden.

Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Wildflower garden.  Low borders.

Depending on cold, this may keep its leaves all year or die back during the winter. In colder areas, consider growing it as an annual. It adapts well to semi-shady to shady well-drained conditions. Herbarium specimens from Marion and Alachua counties were in disturbed "garden" localities - not mapped here.  Not planted, but highly unlikely to have appeared other than through human disturbance. Used as a ground cover, one of the relatively few Florida plants that both forms a low dense cover and survives shade.

Flowers range from maroon to maroon and white, to maroon and green mixed. One common name is gopherberry - because golpher tortoise eat the fruit. Specimen plant.