The leaves of the Phlox maculata plant are a glossy-green color. Butterflies love to feast on the fragrant flowers of the Phlox maculata. The purple-pink flowers of the Phlox maculata bloom in late Fall in profusion on one-foot bloom stalks. The one-inch flowers of the Phlox maculata plant glow like incandescent light bulbs when planted in front of dark green shrubs.