Violet Pinwheels phlox is a Chicagoland Grows® selection. Chicagoland Grows® is a plant introduction partnership of the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Morton Arboretum and the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois formed to promote plant cultivars that perform well in northern Illinois. This variety was developed at the Chicago Botanic Garden by James Ault, PhD; the ¾-inch-wide flowers open a vivid purple color and age to a still-vivid violet color--rare colors among the moss phlox. The plants consist of low, slowly spreading mounds of dark green, needlelike foliage that is soft to the touch.