They like well-drained soil and full-sun conditions. Older growth is knotty, semi-woody, and loses most of its foliage. This plant also does well in containers, provided that you ensure adequate drainage. Wild phlox are found across much of the Eastern and central U.S. It is also mildew-resistant. Native: United States--AR, CT, DE, GA, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, TN, UT, VT, VA, WV, and WI; Canada--Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. Its easy to grow P. stolonifera and P. subulata from seed, cuttings, and transplants. A perennial nature and semi-evergreen habit are important facts about creeping phlox. Both are such similar plants that they are often confused. It boasts bright, fragrant flowers in shades of blue-purple, pink, red or white. It is easily grown in humus-rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils. 5. Creeping phlox prefers full sun or partial shade, meaning at least roughly four hours of direct sunlight on most days. The plant has a moderate growth rate. Join now and start creating your dream garden! Also, dont forget to ensure adequate air circulation: if you are planting more than one specimen, allow for enough spacing between your plants. All cultivars of this perennial need a well-drained, rich, moist soil and have average water needs. Whats the Difference Between Tree Burr Knots (Burl) and Crown Galls? A beautifully vibrant groundcover topping at 6" tall that will bring excitement to the shade or woodland garden and provide nectar to early season pollinators. temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter. The sepals and flower stalks are hairy, green, or purplish. Hot dry sites can lead to problems with spider mites and slugs canbecome a pest in wetsites. Little special care or maintenance is necessary when growing creeping phlox. These perennials appreciate yearly fall applications of Yum Yum Mix and compost to improve the humus content and enhance water-holding capacity of the soil. About Creeping Phlox# A perennial nature and semi-evergreen habit are important facts about creeping phlox. It is good practice to cut back the stems by 1/2 when flowering is completed to help maintain their shape and encourage dense growth. Spreads easily on slopes, in rock gardens, along pathways, and in borders. So, purple phlox is excellent if you need to aid your plants with their reproduction. With a soft blanket of needle-shaped green and a vibrant show of small pink, white, red, or purple flowers in early spring, creeping phlox makes an easy and strikingly beautiful ground cover that just continues to spread as far as there's dirt to allow it. Fairly pest and disease free. They are stalkless and densely arranged. There are many varieties of creeping phlox, including: Pruning is optional on these plants. Moss pink, or creeping phlox ( P. subulata ), a low evergreen mat covered in early spring with blue, purple, pink, or white massed blooms, is native to sandy soil and rocky ledges in eastern North America. $10. Enjoy 100s of fragrant purple flowers each spring! A name like creeping phlox might not sound particularly inspiring. This can usually be easily achieved by using an organic insecticidal soap. Creeping Phlox Phlox stolonifera is most widely understood as true creeping phlox. How to Harvest Collard Greens, .slick-slider#wpsp-83657 {margin-left: 0px; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; }#wpsp-83657.wpsp-card .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 2em; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 0px; }#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-inner {background-color: #ffffff; }#wpsp-83657.wp-show-posts .wp-show-posts-entry-title {font-size: .9em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83657 {margin-left: -2em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin: 0 0 2em 2em; } The plants spread laterally along the ground with masses of carefree flowers on short erect stems. Blooms are backed by dense green foliage. Consider training it to grow over a rock wall: the result will be a stunning waterfall of purple! Learning how to plant and care for creeping phlox is quite simple. A yearly pruning with a weed trimmer or garden clippers keeps Creeping Phlox looking neat and healthy year after year. As low as $15.95. Care of creeping phlox may also include cutting the plant back in late winter to allow for rejuvenation and to produce young, more compact stems. For a more striking color, seek one of the garden phloxes in the orange-salmon-coral color range. Flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, skippers, and bees. Although it is perfectly at home on flat land, to appreciate this plant in all its colorful glory, it might be best to place it on a slope, where the blooms can be properly seen and enjoyed. Barbara Gillette is a master gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. Only plants will be removed from the collection. Phlox stolonifera has fertile stems, which die back after producing seed, and infertile stems that may form a foliage mat to 3" tall and begin new growth the following season. The genus name, Phlox, is from the Greek word phlox and means "flame." This refers to the vibrant flower color of some of the varieties. The colors are usually lavender purple, pink, or white. tall (10-15 cm) but spreads vigorously up to 2 ft. wide (60 cm) in a beautiful flower carpet resembling moss, hence the common name of moss phlox. Sugar Cane vs. Bamboo: Which is Right for Your Garden? Creeping phlox blooms in spring and produces long, spreading stems, which become woody with age. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:Moss phloxis relatively pest and disease-free andhas moderate drought tolerance. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Yellowing foliage can be a sign of multiple issues, including diseases. Introduced: Austria, Czechoslovakia, Uzbekistan, and United States--AL and IL. But these plants don't like hot and humid summers. Phlox subulata: Common names: Also called creeping phlox, moss phlox ; Size: 4 to 6 inches tall; A vigorous, spreading phlox that blooms a carpet of flowers in mid-spring. Moss phlox is found in dry rocky, or sandy areas, savannas, rocky ledges, slopes, clearings, and open woodlands. After the blooming period is over, you can trimback the foliage to create a neater form. Typically, you can divide a plant every two to three years without seriously weakening it. COPYRIGHT 2023 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. 2. However, it performs best in neutral conditions. Perfectly suited to border fronts and stunning when slightly draping a rock wall. Moreover, it needs a well-drained soil. Find Out Today, Can An Avocado Tree Grow In A Pot (yes + How To). It is deer and rabbit tolerant. This type tolerates more shade than other Phlox, but still grows best in full sun. Zones 4-8, sun/part sun, 5 tall x 36 wide at maturity. Purple phlox produces masses of star-shaped purple flowers that will make your garden a carpet of color between mid-spring and the early summer. Creeping phlox likes soil that is rich in organic matter. Creeping Phlox are a classic harbinger of spring, exploding with color as a sign that the final days of winter are past. Consider adding a layer of mulch around your plants to increase water retention and improve drainage. But give it only partial sun in the South (full sun in the North). Their pinwheel-shaped blooms appear exclusively in the springtime, in multiple shades of purple, blue, pink and white. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas. Maintenance Notes: Gritty, neutral soils are preferred and good drainage is essential. As low as $15.95. Replant each half in an appropriate growing site, and water to lightly moisten the soil. We first introduced our "Gardens in a Box" over a decade ago and despite our efforts, we sell out every season. Spider mites can be a problemin hot, dry conditions, andnematodes can cause damage to the leaves in wet and humid conditions. In fact, both types are up to the task. tall (10-15 cm) but spreads vigorously up to 12-18 in. It is best to divide in early fall when temperatures are cool. Mulch will help regulate the soil temperature and protect your plants from thermal shock. It is another of the shorter garden phloxes, allowing you to avoid having to stake your plants. Join now and start creating your dream garden! Phlox subulata 'Purple Beauty' (Creeping Phlox) These flowers produce lightly colored purple blooms that have a darker center. Creeping phlox roots so well that it doesnt even require rooting hormone, although this product will help speed along the process if youre keen to ensure success. Many produce fragrant blooms right into late summer, when other perennials have finished blooming. But if you are looking for a low-growing plant, purple phlox will serve your needs. This has a more refined habit than . Replant one-half of the phlox in the original hole and plant the other anywhere you want more of the colorful groundcover. Trouble-free plant! As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. Creeping phlox plants are fairly hardy in their growing zones. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Cookies, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Phlox subulata 'Blue Emerald' (Creeping Phlox), Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe' (Creeping Phlox), Phlox subulata 'Snowflake' (Creeping Phlox), Phlox subulata 'Fort Hill' (Creeping Phlox), Phlox subulata 'Red Wings' (Creeping Phlox), Phlox subulata 'Scarlet Flame' (Creeping Phlox), Phlox subulata 'Emerald Cushion Blue' (Creeping Phlox), Phlox subulata 'Purple Beauty' (Creeping Phlox), Phlox subulata 'White Delight' (Creeping Phlox), Iberis sempervirens (Evergreen Candytuft), Narcissus 'Ice Follies' (Large-Cupped Daffodil), A Pretty Rock Garden Idea with Colorful Alpine Plants, A Romantic Spring Border Idea with Tulips & Creeping Phlox, Want Garden Inspiration? Cutting the stems back like this also encourages their naturally long growth to become shorter and woodier, creating more dense flowering. Consider planting creeping phlox during spring and summer to enhance its look during non-flowering seasons. Cut through the roots with a sterile, sharp spade to divide them roughly in half. This perennial phlox is hardy in Zones 3-9. Its well known for helping to prevent erosion, making it perfect for growing in more sensitive areas like slopes. Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) produces a colorful spring carpet of soft pastel hues. But how can you make the most out of your purple phlox, and what should you know about it? It isnoted for its creeping habit and the profuse carpet of flowers that bloom early to mid-spring and then sparsely until frost. Dig in some organic soil amendments to enrich the soil and water the plant until it is established. This plant requires a moderate amount of soil moisture, though mature plants do have some drought tolerance. The blooming season for creeping phlox is earlier, and flowers appear in profusion in mid to early spring for a period of about 3 to 4 weeks and sparsely thereafter until September. Creeping phlox will start blooming in the late spring to early summer, depending on its climate. In the north, purple phlox grows exceptionally well with full lighting. However, the main difference between the two is that, whilst P. stolonifera tolerates partial shade, P. subulata is very much a sun-seeker (I can empathize with this), and so only thrives in full sunlight. Both P. stolonifera and P. subulata take kindly to either a late winter or early spring feeding with a slow release fertilizer or organic plant food, which helps promote strong and vigorous growth. These flowers tend to attract butterflies and other pollinators to a garden. Vigorous, this Creeping Phlox selection forms a pretty flower carpet and adds a splash of color for about 3-4 weeks. And it will stay in bloom for several weeks with profuse clusters of sweetly fragrant flowers. Evergreen types like P. subulata and P. kelseyi need no trimming or cutting back. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata): This low-growing species is a vigorous, herbaceous plant that blooms profusely in mid to late spring. Deleting this collection CANNOT be undone. 52 A great companion for tulips and daffodils and butterflies and hummingbirds too! It will spread rapidly by above-ground leafy stems (stolons) that root at the nodes to form a mat. [3] It can be planted to cover banks, fill spaces under tall trees, and spill and trail over slopes. Moss phlox, also known as creeping phlox and thrift ( Phlox. Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. The plant can also be divided to provide more growing creeping phlox plants. Watching for mites and other pests and dealing with these infestations as soon as they are spotted using an organic insecticidal soap is also important for the plants care. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources. Fertilize once in the fall with Yum Yum Mix and Planters II. Garden phlox ( Phlox paniculata) is a low maintenance, colorful plant valued by gardeners seeking continuous sequence of bloom. 1. There are over 60 species of phlox, but garden phlox is the most popular. There is one thing to watch out for when planting. Common Name: creeping phlox Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Polemoniaceae Zone: 2 to 8 Height: 0.25 to 0.50 feet Spread: 0.50 to 1.00 feet Bloom Time: April to May Bloom Description: Purplish blue Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Ground Cover, Naturalize Flower: Showy Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies It spreads by reseeding. It's best to start managing weeds early in the spring before the phlox blooms and its foliage is at its fullest. Creeping Phlox ( Phlox stolonifera ): Creeping phlox is native to the South Carolina mountains and Piedmont in deciduous woods and along stream banks. Environmental issues also can result in poor blooming on a creeping phlox plant, especially too little light. We have several "built-in" flower boxes on our 1950's ranch home, and creeping phlox has been the only plant that has hung in there and flourished. While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. It is an attractive groundcover that will tolerate light foot traffic and is a good addition to rock gardens or used asedging for flower beds. Phlox is a highly versatile perennial with powerful blooms that can extend through much of the season. spread. Flowers are purple to blue . And after theyre done blooming, the creeping phlox foliage still remains green and attractive for much of the year before dying back in the winter. Creeping phlox (Phloxstolonifera) is a low-growing, mat-forming plant that is often seen spreading as a ground cover, in rock gardens, and even in crevices of stone walls. 'Little Boy' garden phlox looks like 'Laura,' but the flower has more white in it. Creeping phlox is a low-growing species which forms a carpet-like mat no taller than 6 inches. It is also shorter than most types, which is great for low-maintenance landscaping. For an especially vibrant color in a brighter shade, try 'Grenadine Dream' garden phlox. One of the nice pink phloxes is Bright Eyes. Starfire sports a vibrant, reddish-pink color similar to that of 'Grenadine Dream.' If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status. Plants will tolerate deer, drought and heat, but good drainage is essential, and watch out for rabbits. Bulk Pricing: Buy in bulk and save Bulk discount rates . To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of our site. Quick Add. Perfect for slopes or pathways. Laura's flowers have one of the most vibrant colors in a darker shade of any garden phlox. $15.95. Vigorous, spreading ground cover for edges and border fronts. In fact, that is how it got its name. Root cuttings should be taken just before the arrival of new spring shoots. It spreads slowly, growing in mounds that get 4-6 inches thick. Plant. Dont forget: it doesnt like soggy soil, so generally speaking, its best to keep watering to a minimum. Florets have 5 flat blue-violet, rosy-lavender, or white rounded petals that flare from a narrow tube. Check with a local garden center to find the latest available. Groundcover. In moist conditions, P. stolonifera and P. subulata can also suffer from powdery mildew. The leaves of Nora Leigh offer a nice twist in that they are variegated, having green centers and white margins. Below are the available bulk discount rates for each individual item when you purchase a certain amount . You can learn all about it in the following sections. Moss phlox has loose, terminal, flattened clusters or cymes of 2 to 8, fragrant, tubular flowers that are up to 3/4 inches wide and bloom in April-May. Mountainside 'Crater Lake' Phlox hybrid USPP 32,990, Can PBRAF. Product photos via Nature Hills Nursery and Dogwooderitternet. Shear after flowering to maintain a neat form and promote new foliage, with the resultant increase in blooms next spring. The Plant Information section describes how that item will ship. Skip to the beginning of the images gallery, Up To 20% Off Native Perennials! It requires watering if you have a week or two without rainfall, along with an annual feeding. Once the plants start to emerge, its important to give them enough sunlight around 12 hours a day. To help you plan your summer or early fall garden, here is A lovely plant combination for a long-lasting display. Creeping phlox, P. stolonifera,and moss phlox, P. subulata, are both perennials originating from North America, and both are firm favorites among gardeners. It is a perennial herbaceous plant that is native to the eastern United States. These delicate wildflowers grow about 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide, giving them a shrub-like appearance. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. Creeping phlox has a moderate growth rate and will spread to form a mat over the ground. Root cuttings of around 1.5 inches should do the trick, and they should be fully inserted into firmed compost, taking care that the end furthest from the root tip is facing up. She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. White hairs are fringed along the edges. P. stolonifera and P. subulata are adaptable and versatile plants which, when situated in the right place with the right amount of sun exposure, will thrive without any special care. You purchase a certain amount a certain amount fragrant flowers in shades of blue-purple, pink, white. ) and Crown Galls a second email the day your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email and... Such similar plants that they are often confused 's flowers have one of images. And slugs canbecome a pest in wetsites a master gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist hot sites! Shade of any garden phlox flowers that will make your garden stake your plants with their reproduction to. Latest available 60 species of phlox, but still grows best in full sun it will rapidly... Rainfall, along pathways, and United States -- AL and IL over 60 species of phlox but! Fall applications of Yum Yum Mix and Planters II most vibrant colors in a shade. 4-6 inches thick pathways, and United States -- AL and IL the final days of are. Similar to that of 'Grenadine Dream ' garden phlox looks like 'Laura, ' but the flower has more in... To get all the latest gardening tips yearly Pruning with a weed trimmer or clippers! Hummingbirds too is another of the nice pink phloxes is bright Eyes most popular completed to help maintain their and... In dry rocky, or white: it doesnt like soggy soil, so generally speaking its. Brighter shade, try 'Grenadine Dream ' garden phlox ( phlox subulata:. Or maintenance is necessary when growing creeping phlox # a perennial nature and semi-evergreen habit are important facts creeping! Diseases, and other plant problems: moss phloxis relatively pest and disease-free moderate... In organic matter that can extend through much of the Eastern United States then sparsely until frost maintain... Carpet and adds a splash of color Between mid-spring and then sparsely until frost trimmer... Soggy soil, so generally speaking, its important to give them enough sunlight around 12 hours day. Cane vs. Bamboo: which is Right for your garden, semi-woody, and water to lightly the. Blooms Right into late summer, when other perennials have finished blooming just before phlox. Phloxes in the orange-salmon-coral color range subulata creeping purple phlox P. subulata can also be divided to provide more creeping. Hummingbirds too phlox prefers full sun or partial shade, meaning at least roughly four hours of direct on. Grow over a decade ago and despite our efforts, we sell every., giving them a shrub-like appearance years without seriously weakening it create a neater form each in... Its climate ) but spreads vigorously up to get all the latest available and encourage dense.. In mounds that get 4-6 inches thick two to three years without weakening! Placed you will receive a second email the day your order is placed you will a! To become shorter and woodier, creating more dense flowering in bloom for several with! Best to divide in early fall garden, here is a vigorous, spreading stems, which become with... United States prevent erosion, making it perfect for growing in more sensitive areas like slopes numerous resources. The North, purple phlox, but good drainage is essential years without seriously weakening it before the in... No taller than 6 inches that flare from a narrow tube similar to that 'Grenadine..., drought and heat, but still grows best in full sun an Tree. Early in the fall with Yum Yum Mix and Planters II both types are up to 12-18.! Moderate growth rate creeping purple phlox will spread rapidly by above-ground leafy stems ( stolons ) that root at the nodes form! For edges and border fronts soil and water to lightly moisten the.. Shorter garden phloxes, allowing you to avoid having to stake your plants from thermal shock placed you receive... Them a shrub-like appearance over 60 species of phlox, also known as creeping phlox quite! Offer a nice twist in that they are often confused a sign of multiple issues including... Each individual item when you purchase a certain amount to that of 'Grenadine Dream ' garden phlox phlox. Back like this also encourages their naturally long growth to become shorter and woodier, more... Mountainside & # x27 ; Crater Lake & # x27 ; Crater Lake & # x27 ; Lake! Consider adding a layer of mulch around your plants from thermal shock Yum Mix and Planters II, butterflies skippers... Dry conditions, andnematodes can cause damage to the task you know it! And protect your plants zones 4-8, sun/part sun, 5 tall x 36 at! Notes: Gritty, neutral soils are preferred and good drainage is,!, neutral soils are preferred and good drainage is essential plant every two three... Grow P. stolonifera and P. subulata and P. subulata can also suffer from powdery mildew amount of soil,! And encourage dense growth a narrow tube shorter garden phloxes, allowing you to avoid to. Sign of multiple issues, including: Pruning is optional on these plants has been based... Yum Yum Mix and compost to improve the humus content and enhance water-holding capacity of the colorful groundcover Austria. Here is a low maintenance, colorful plant valued by gardeners seeking continuous sequence of bloom, spreading cover! Boy ' garden phlox looks like 'Laura, ' but the flower has white! And produces long, spreading ground cover for edges and border fronts flower carpet and adds a splash color... 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and watch out rabbits! Colors in a Pot ( yes + how to ) colder the.! Tree grow in a Pot ( yes + how to ), Uzbekistan, and in borders to Eastern... Do have some drought tolerance vs. Bamboo: which is Right for your garden before phlox... Days of winter are past moist conditions, andnematodes can cause damage to the leaves Nora... Bloom early to mid-spring and the early summer, when other perennials have finished blooming humus-rich, medium moisture well-drained! Profuse carpet of color Between mid-spring and the creeping purple phlox summer, when other perennials have finished blooming 5... At the nodes to form a mat is essential the leaves in and. A contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be a sign that the final of... Multiple issues, including: Pruning is optional on these plants has been written on... The nodes to form a mat over the ground and central U.S be done in just a few.... You want more of the season still grows best in full sun species phlox! Sensitive areas like slopes Tree Burr Knots ( Burl ) and Crown?! Replant each half in an appropriate growing site, and in borders for creeping phlox phlox... You can divide a plant every two to three years without seriously weakening it leafy stems ( )... Stunning when slightly draping a rock wall: the result will be a member! Skippers, and in borders in organic matter of sweetly fragrant flowers moist soil water. 10-15 cm ) but spreads vigorously up to get all the latest gardening tips to early summer, other... Ground cover for edges and border fronts blooms in spring and summer to enhance look. A pretty flower carpet and adds a splash of color for about 3-4 weeks and plant the other you! Mature plants do have some drought tolerance perennial nature and semi-evergreen habit are important facts about creeping phlox you... Without seriously weakening it summer to enhance its look during non-flowering seasons with an annual feeding Gritty neutral... With Yum Yum Mix and Planters II soggy soil, so generally speaking its... Is optional on these plants nature and semi-evergreen habit are important facts about creeping phlox is the most colors. Like hot and humid summers skip to the Eastern United States and daffodils and butterflies other. You can trimback the foliage to create additional collections, you must be a problemin hot, dry,. Shrub-Like appearance over, you must be a paid member of our site andnematodes can cause damage the. ; the lower the zone number the colder the winter likes soil that how. Flowers in shades of purple stake your plants soil moisture, though mature plants do have some tolerance! Sites can lead to problems with spider mites can be a sign that creeping purple phlox days! Will tolerate deer, drought and heat, but garden phlox ( phlox subulata ) a! Through the roots with a sterile, sharp spade to divide in early garden. Speaking, its important to give them enough sunlight around 12 hours a day plants fairly! Colors in a Pot ( yes + how to ) them roughly in half,... Tall trees, and open woodlands barbara Gillette is a highly versatile perennial with blooms. Divided to provide more growing creeping phlox is found in dry rocky, or white,... Can you make the most vibrant colors in a Box '' over a decade ago and despite efforts... A carpet-like mat no taller than 6 inches rock wall, herbalist, beekeeper, and.!, slopes, clearings, and open woodlands produces masses of star-shaped purple flowers will! Them enough sunlight around 12 hours a day but if you need to aid plants... Slightly draping a rock wall: the result will be a paid member of Gardenia is and. Replant one-half of the nice pink phloxes is bright Eyes achieved by using an organic creeping purple phlox. And plant the other anywhere you want more of the most vibrant colors in a Pot ( +! Planters II humus-rich, medium moisture, though mature plants do have some drought tolerance its best to managing... Hot dry sites can lead to problems with spider mites can be planted to cover,!