A low growing ground cover perennial with compact moss-like foliage and pink flowers in May
Plant Type
All Plants, Perennials Hardy
Hardiness Zone
2-9
Sunlight
prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade
Moisture
average
Soil & Site
average, well drained, ph neutral to alkaline
Flowers
pink flowers in late April to early May lasting for around 3-4 weeks or more. Phlox growing on slopes or hillsides facing directly to the spring sun will bloom 2 weeks early
Leaves
low growing mat of compact, emerald green moos-like foliage
Dimensions
around 4-6" tall and spreading over 24", plant 12-18" on center.
Maintenance
If Creeping Phlox is placed to close to a sidewalk, patio, etc. it will creep into this area. Most people will shear it straight on the edges leaving a rough brown edge. A way to avoid this ugly look is to lift the edges of the plant up and cut the brown underside of the plant leaving a layer of growing foliage on the top to fill in. Than take this foliage and feather it back with a pruning shear or scissors. This works with Creeping Phlox because it tends to grow in layers with the new growth creeping over the older growth. When grass or weed start growing through the foliage, lift the plant and pull the weeds from underneath. Once the Phlox is established the weed problem will be minimal. A light shearing after bloom will incourage compact growth.
Propagation
cuttings or division in the spring
Native Site
Species native to North America.
Cultivar Origin
First sent to England in 1745 by John Bartram, an early American botanist.
Author's Notes
This is one of the more compact of the Phlox subulata I have grown. Has dark green foliage and a prolific bloomer.
Notes & Reference
#04-Herbaceous Perennial Plants (Allan Armitage) #06-Perennials for the American Gardens (Ruth Rodgers Clausen and Nicolas H Ekstrom)