Mat-forming, Phlox subulata grows only 4-6 in. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, University of Minnesota Extension: Tall Garden Phlox for Minnesota Gardens, Ohio State University Extension: Pruning Perennials Can Improve Flowering and Extend Season. Also known as Moss Phlox or Creeping Phlox are incredibly popular spring flowering plants cold hardy to the north. Good soil drainage is important. A dwarf and compact garden phlox, Phlox paniculata Pink Flame is an herbaceous perennial with large clusters of fuchsia pink flowers adorned with a darker pink eye. Possible Substitution Plants. 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. I planted them almost a month ago, because the people at Lowes said it would be fine, though I understood that their blooming period was almost over. Phlox paniculata, or garden phlox, is a tall perennial plant suitable for the back of a flower bed or in front of a building or fence. Decorative throughout the year! Remove the trimmings with a rake to keep the phlox neat, prevent disease and discourage insects. The Scarlet Flame spread like wildfire in the landscape. Disinfecting the shears before you prune helps prevent the spread of insects and diseases among plants. Creeping Phlox is rewarding for the novice or expert gardener. Creeping phlox is easy to propagate through division, stem cuttings, or rooted stems. The plant requires some pruning to keep it healthy and to encourage it to develop its best flowering habits. Garden phlox (Phlox spp.) Watering - After Planting Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. The lightly fragranced flowers attract lots of butterflies. If the area is large, use a mower with the blade on the highest setting. Phlox only requires fall trimming in areas that experience minimal winter snowfall. Leptinella squalida Creeping phlox remains evergreen so it never requires trimming in fall. Discover seven great varieties of phlox, below. Phlox has always sounded such a funny name to me – like a group of sheep – but it is a plant which offers far more colour and is a darned sight easier to look after. Full Sun. Phlox subulata Early Spring varieties produce an abundance of 3/4-inch star-shaped blooms, which completely cover the entire plant, forming a carpet of color in the early spring. Mat-forming groundcover; pink flowers. Stunning cascading over rocks or lining a meandering pathway. Lift the green layer of your phlox plant. I wrote about making the planters in this post. Cultivars of alpine phlox, such as Phlox subulata, thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.Those from woodland habitats, such as Phlox divaricata, need partial shade and hummus-rich soil.Those native to boggy areas, such as Phlox paniculata, require full sun and moist soil.. In late May, use sharp, clean secateurs to cut back the stems, making a sloping cut just above a leaf joint. To divide phlox, dig it up in fall or early spring and pull the clump into smaller sections. The flowers are, obviously dying. Moss phlox, the easier species to grow, thrives in full sun in almost any well-drained soil. Phlox is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 10, depending on the variety. This perennial will only grow to a tiny height of 10-15cm, however, its vigorous spreading habit makes it ideal for trailing from a wall or rockery. Garden phlox (Phlox spp.) Best flowering is in full sun, but plants generally appreciate some dappled sun in the hot summers of the deep South. Hardy, Phlox subulata is trouble-free, deer resistant, salt tolerant and requires little care. Emerald Blue moss phlox (Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue'): Lavender-blue flowers. My questions: 1) My Phlox are starting to look a little sickly. Blooms can be muddy hot pink, bright rose, and magenta, while other cultivars include white, soft lavender-blue, clear pale pink to deep pink, clear scarlet, and lavender, some with a darker or lighter eye. Phlox subulata 'Millstream Daphne' Characteristics. It spreads slowly, growing in mounds that get 4–6 inches thick. Suggested uses. Phlox Phlox. Dyer began her writing career as a staff writer at a community newspaper and is now a full-time commercial writer. Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Edging, Garden edging, Gravel, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Rock, Underplanting. The plant requires some pruning to keep it healthy and to encourage it to develop its best flowering habits. The leggy stems of Phlox subulata should be pruned in late spring after the blooms have faded. P. subulata smells a bit like marijuana and prefers sandy soil. Shear after flowering to maintain a neat form and promote new foliage, with the resultant increase in … No special care needed. Remove faded … Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), which grows 2 to 4 feet tall and is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8,... Cut it Back. Creeping phlox, Phlox subulata, is a stunning low-growing perennial that creates a striking carpet full of 5-petaled blooms in radiant hues of reds, purples, blues, pinks and whites in late April and May.Typically reaching a mere height of 6 inches, but often spreading to 2 feet, it is a great choice for a groundcover. Blooming for weeks from mid to late summer, the fragrant flowers are rich of nectar and visited by hummingbirds and butterflies. All are welcome sights in the Southeast right now, but if that is all the colors your garden has, it's missing something important – the color blue, the rarest of flower colors. Creeping phlox or Moss phlox (Phlox subulata) is a low-growing species that works excellently as a ground cover. They are borne atop relatively short, bushy clumps of medium green foliage. Many of the lesser known species (i.e., P nivalis) also prefer dry-ish rock garden conditions. It is appropriate for growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 3 and above. No need to prune in fall, clean-up winter damage in spring. Pruning and cleanup after a trim helps prevent the most common phlox ailment, powdery mildew. Growth Rate • Average. Repotting Phlox subulata performs well in sunny locations throughout USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 9. Some gardening enthusiasts do prune their creeping phlox to give it a neater shape, but it is not necessary. Alpine phlox 'Samson', Moss phlox 'Samson', Creeping phlox 'Samson' Genus. No pruning is needed beyond shearing off the spend flower heads. Cut phlox subulata back by one-third to one-half of its height after the first flush of blooms fade in late spring. Phlox is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 10, depending on the variety. All you need to do is cut a roughly 6-inch-long section, either from a rooted stem or a … Tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) is an old-fashioned perennial that fills midsummer with perfumed color. It is best to not prune in the fall and cleanup winter, damaged foliage in the spring. Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Edging, Garden edging, Gravel, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Rock, Underplanting Small, purplish pink flowers appear in spring or early summer. Phlox Spring Blue - Common name:Creeping Phlox, Moss Pinks - The blushed lavender-blue, star-shaped flowers with notched petals smother the soft needle-like, evergreen foliage. See how RHS can give expert advice on growing, feeding, pruning and propagating plants. Variety or Cultivar 'Zwergenteppich' _ 'Zwergenteppich' is a compact, cushion- to mat-forming, evergreen perennial with linear, needle-like, dark green leaves and, in spring, salver form, dark rose-pink flowers with red eyes. This plant goes incredibly well with tulips and carnations because they tower over it. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Both of them. Find specific plants with our Plant Finder & Plant Selector. Have a go at improving the flowering performance of phlox by carrying out the ‘Chelsea chop’. Once established, creeping phlox is a drought-tolerant plant that requires supplemental water only during warm, dry weather. Can be trimmed back after flowering to the low green foliage if lush new growth is needed. Phlox is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 10, depending on the variety. The mildew creates a powdery white film on the plant's foliage and flowers, blocking sunlight and eventually causing the plant to weaken and die. Rates high at being resistant to powdery mildew. The flowers can be pale lavender-blue, rose-pink, medium violet, or white, with unnotched petals and a yellow center. Discard the unproductive center of the plant, and replant the smaller sections. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Creeping phlox grows best in shade or dappled sunlight in soil enriched with leaf mold, pH 5.5 to 7.0. Phlox paniculata cultivars to try in your garden: ‘David’ - This is a powdery mildew-resistant plant … Size: 10-15cm high x 60cm wide. Prune after the blooms fade in late spring. Plants will self-seed in optimum growing conditions. Improving phlox blooms. Creeping phlox, Phlox subulata, is a stunning low-growing perennial that creates a striking carpet full of 5-petaled blooms in radiant hues of reds, purples, blues, pinks and whites in late April and May.Typically reaching a mere height of 6 inches, but often spreading to 2 feet, it is a great choice for a groundcover. Creeping phlox is a common sight in rock gardens. Both benefit from pruning once their flowering cycles complete. Drummond's Pink moss phlox (Phlox subulata 'Drummond's Pink'): Deep pink flowers with red centers; larger flowers than the species. Also known as creeping phlox, Phlox subulata is a perennial that colors the landscape with a blanket of bright, five-petaled blooms in early spring. Cultural Notes Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Suitable Substitutions for Phlox subulata 'Millstream Daphne' Phlox subulata Candy Stripe ('Tamaongalei') Moss Phlox. Phlox Phlox. Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata) is a richly flowering, clump-forming phlox that stays green in both summer and winter. Trim the brown layer back dramatically with the garden shears or a pair of regular scissors if garden shears are not available. Soil - The commonly grown tall Phlox paniculata prefers well-drained, organic, compost-rich soil and creeping Phlox stolonifera and Phlox subulata (moss phlox, carpet phlox) prefer a drier, sandier, better draining soil. Small, purplish pink flowers appear in spring or early summer. The blanket of color in late spring will turn heads of passersby. Surely the best feature of creeping phlox is its flower production. Just look for pots of our native blue phlox (Phlox divaricata). Perfect for rocky areas, slopes and flower borders. Selected from a cross of P. subulata and P. kelseyi. Phlox subulata 'White Delight' Moss Phlox « Previous Plant | Next Plant » Also called Creeping Phlox, Alpine Phlox. produces spikes of flowers that bloom during the summer months. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) is a favorite of gardeners all across the country – both cold hardy and tolerant of heat, these ground-covering plants bloom in a solid carpet in spring. On the other hand, pruning can make the leaves grow denser. Partial Sun/Shade. Prune or pinch back about one-third of the stems in … A light pruning is recommended immediately after flowering is complete. Garden phlox (Phlox spp.) This selection has large flower clusters in dusty blue with white centres. It is drought tolerant once established. Use a weed trimmer or hedge shears. Cultivation Best grown in humusy, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Phlox. Needs good drainage. You can let this flower grow naturally, and it will still look breathtakingly good. If you decide to prune your creeping phlox, do so in summer, after blooming. They bloom each year and have only been restrained by being in a small container, but have looked really bright and cheerful. Full Sun. Use a weed trimmer or hedge ... 2. Phlox stolonifera vs. Phlox subulata. Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) produces a colorful spring carpet of soft pastel hues.Little expert knowledge is needed on how to plant and care for creeping phlox. This beauty is sold as Flame Series Coral garden phlox. Phlox stolonifera, which also goes by the common names Creeping phlox and Moss phlox, is similar to P. subulata in name only. produces spikes of flowers that bloom during the summer months. How To Care for the Lantana Lavender Trailing Plant. A light pruning is recommended immediately after flowering is complete. A sturdy, cold-tolerant plant, Phlox subulata thrives in bright sunlight and dry, poor soil. Flower Form • Single. Phlox is especially prone to fungal problems, which easily spread from plant to plant when good garden hygiene isn't practiced. Phlox subulata 'White Delight' Characteristics. How Do I Calculate Home Value to Loan Ratio? Prune the plants to within a few inches of the ground. It is best to not prune in the fall and cleanup winter, damaged foliage in the spring. Creeping phlox is a familiar spring-blooming creeping plant that is frequently seen in rock gardens, growing from crevices in stone walls, or planted as a ground cover to blanket areas of the ground. Trim off garden phlox's dead flower stems at their bases immediately after the plant finishes blooming. Brighten up your spring garden with this creeping Phlox subulata. produces spikes of flowers that bloom during the summer months. Deadheading -- removing old flowers -- prevents seed formation, which encourages some phlox varieties to put forth new growth and new flowers. The plant requires some pruning to keep it healthy and to encourage it to develop its best flowering habits. Most phlox cultivars are perennial. The flowers are so densely packed that it can be ha… How to Prune Phlox Subulata. Thin it Out. Height: 3-6 in ... Prune Time • After Blooming. Creeping phlox grows in layers with the newest growth on the top. NEW in 2019! Phlox may be grown from seed, sown in spring or fall, or from nursery plants set out in the spring or autumn and spaced about 10 inches apart. Phlox ‘Bubblegum’ Botanical Name: Phlox subulata: Common Name: Phlox: Key Features: A prostrate perennial producing a profusion of colour in the garden during winter and spring. Phlox Plant Care. I had my phlox planted in an Almost Hypertufa box. Plants grow well in sandy or gravely soils and tolerate hot, dry exposures better than most other species of phlox. Cut phlox subulata back by one-third to one-half of its height after the first flush of blooms fade in late spring. Moss phlox, Phlox subulata, is a spreading evergreen perennial growing to a height of just 15 cm. Trim off badly infected stems and leaves anytime during the growing season to minimize the spread of this disease. However, this eccentric plant can require some specific pruning. Very useful as a flowering groundcover. Underneath you will see that there is a layer of brown, dying old foliage. Prune the plants a second time, cutting back to about 3 inches, after the plants fade and begin to die down in fall. Growing creeping phlox over a rockery or in tough soil conditions provides a nearly carefree ground cover or cascading plant. 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 … Phlox paniculata is one of 67 species of phlox native to North America. An abundance of bright pink flowers will cover the dense evergreen foliage, creating a carpet of delightful colour from April to May. Thinning allows the remaining stems to grow strong and flower well; it also provides the air circulation needed to minimize powdery mildew problems later in the season. Fortunately, a trip to the garden center this spring can quickly remedy this oversight. Beautiful colors of Phlox subulata Creeping Phlox Features: An Overview. A dense, vigorous, mat-forming ground cover, creeping phlox has short flower stems from 3 to 12 inches tall. The blooms release a sweet fragrance that wafts through the garden on sultry summer days. How to Prune Phlox. Phlox subulata 'Emerald Pink' Emerald Pink Creeping Phlox. Boasting a low growing yet prolific habit, our Creeping Phlox Mixture adds a lush carpet of red, white and blue blooms to sunny spaces. Phlox 'Zwergenteppich' Other names. Phlox paniculata is one of 67 species of phlox native to North America. Wipe the shears with a cloth that was soaked in isopropyl alcohol before you begin pruning and again after pruning to remove fungal spores and disease pathogens. Phlox subulata 'Pharao Blue Eye' (Alpine phlox 'Pharao Blue Eye') will reach a height of 0.15m and a spread of 0.45m after 5-10 years. While it blooms April through June, depending on the variety, pruning creeping phlox after blooming will prolong the flowering and promote mounding. Your fingers and a small pair of bypass shears can handle all your phlox pruning needs. Phlox subulata is easy to grow but pruning will revitalize it, encourage lush new growth and keep the plant looking neat. Variety or Cultivar 'Samson' _ 'Samson' is a prostrate, mat-forming, evergreen perennial with linear, dark green leaves and, from late spring to early summer, salver form, bright pink to purple-pink flowers with darker eyes. When I was first researching this plant, I got a bit confused as to which phlox species was the “true” creeping phlox. Don't prune any closer to the ground, as doing so may damage the crowns of the plants and prevent healthy growth the following year. Wash your hands before working with phlox or wear clean garden gloves during the work as a further measure to prevent plant disease problems. It also cleans up the plants for an improved appearance and mildew prevention. Soil - The commonly grown tall Phlox paniculata prefers well-drained, organic, compost-rich soil and creeping Phlox stolonifera and Phlox subulata (moss phlox, carpet phlox) prefer a drier, sandier, better draining soil. Shorter, creeping phlox varieties like Phlox subulata and Phlox stolonifera should be trimmed back once they’ve finished flowering. Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), which grows 2 to 4 feet tall and is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8, benefits from thinning early in the growing season. Taller varieties of phlox like Phlox paniculata will benefit from thinning early in the year. The half-hardy annual group are useful as bedding plants and for growing in containers. Phlox subulata 'Samson' Other names. The main feature of my front garden consists mostly of Purple and Lavender Creeping Phlox. Alpine pink 'Zwergenteppich', Phlox subulata 'Zwergenteppich' Genus. Creeping Phlox A perennial ground cover, creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) spreads to display a thick blanket of blooms in vibrant shades of pink, lavender, red, white or bluish-purple every spring. Position: Full sun. Those plants have been in the boxes for years and do well. There are two main varieties of phlox -- creeping phlox and tall garden cultivars. But this flower can add a lot of color to your landscape regardless of the location. Garden phlox (Phlox spp.) Phlox ‘McDaniels Cushion’ forms a low, spreading carpet of slender, mid-green leaves and bears masses of pretty pink or purple flowers in summer. produces spikes of flowers that bloom during the summer months. After thinning the plant, grasp the tip of each stem between your thumb and forefinger, and pinch it off right above the topmost growing bud. Other more diminutive species grow in sunny rock gardens and shadier situations. Phlox are herbaceous plants most commonly known for making billowing mounds of scented flowers in summer borders. Growing creeping phlox over a rockery or in tough soil conditions provides a … Dec 21, 2020 // by // Events // Comments Off on how to prune phlox // Events // Comments Off on how to prune phlox Trim back the entire plants by one-third to one-half their height. Phlox subulata 'Snowflake' (Creeping Phlox) is an excellent evergreen perennial with masses of starry, pristine white flowers which smother the dark green, needle-like foliage in mid to late spring. If phlox subulata begins to decline and blooming slows after a few years, or if the center of the plant displays no growth, the plant is probably overcrowded and will benefit from division. Phlox paniculata reaches a height of 120 – 180cm (4 – 6’) in the wild but most of the modern varieties have been bred to grow to around 90cm (3’) to enable them to be better able to stand up to the weather. Your fingers and a small pair of bypass shears can handle all your phlox pruning needs. Cuttings, if done right, are a particularly easy option to propagate, as they root easily after a few months. It bears small flowers in shades of pink, purple and white, from spring to early summer. 1. In spring these plants produce innumerable dusky pink and white flowers that almost cover the whole plant. (Annual phlox is taller, growing 8 to 20 inches tall). Botanical name. There are as many as 50 species, both perennial and annual. Trim out all but five or six of the strongest stems when the plant grows to a 6-inch height, removing the stems near the base of the plant with disinfected pruning shears. Phlox subulata, ‘Creeping Phlox’, ‘Moss Phlox’, ‘Mountain Phlox’, ‘Moss Pink’ ... Pruning. The David variety of phlox paniculata produces pure white clusters of blooms. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Phlox subulata 'Emerald Pink' Moss Phlox. Phlox subulata 'Apple Blossom'. Creeping Phlox Mixture This go-anywhere perennial mix is a must-have in landscapes that lack style and/or color. Phlox subulata (moss or creeping phlox) is a hardy low growing alpine perennial that forms mossy mats of deep-green, needle-like leaves. 12 Phlox subulata Collection save £10 - click here 'Emerald Cushion' is a moss phlox that will create a beautiful carpet of colour during spring. In areas without heavy winter snows, cut back tall phlox varieties once the plants die back naturally in late fall or early winter. Origin • North America. This encourages a denser matting pattern in the plant and more flowers in the next blooming season. Candy Stripe moss phlox (Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe'): White flowers with a pink stripe down the center of each petal. Flowers open in shades of pink, red, purple, white and various bicolor combinations. Not only are the individual blooms pretty, but there are also so many of them that the display is truly something special to behold. Developed by Dr. Jim Ault at the Chicago Botanic Garden for the the Chicagoland Grows® plant introduction program. This perennial will produce a mound of glossy evergreen foliage, that from April to May will be thoroughly covered in dainty lavender-blue flowers. A yearly pruning with a weed trimmer or garden clippers keeps phlox looking neat and healthy year after year. Pinching the stems results in a bushier plant with fuller flowers. Many of the lesser known species (i.e., P nivalis) also prefer dry-ish rock garden conditions. Phlox subulata 'Temiskaming' (Alpine phlox 'Temiskaming' ) will reach a height of 0.1m and a spread of 0.5m after 5-10 years. University of Minnesota Extension: Pruning Perennials, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension: Pruning Perennials, Ohio State University Extension: Phlox Subulata. Its creeping stems are clothed in needle-like evergreen to semi-evergreen leaves. Moss phlox is a dense ground cover blanketed with notch-petaled flowers in April and May. Trim a third to half of their height once flowering has subsided. Cut back stems after flowering by 1/2 to maintain form and promote denser growth plus to stimulate a possible light rebloom. Description: Striking pink flowers with a dark pink eye during winter and spring. Suggested uses. They typically bloom from mid spring to early summer. Prune the plants a second time, cutting back to about 3 inches, after the plants fade and begin to die down in fall. She is an Oregon State University Master Gardener and Master Naturalist and holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing. Phlox subulata works in a container. The whole plant turns into a carpet of color in spring, when flowers cover every square inch of foliage. Summer Phlox are superb for cutting, and may even attract passing butterflies. Shorter phlox varieties such as creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera), hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8, and moss phlox (Phlox subulata), hardy in USDA zones 2 through 8, need to be cut back after they finish flowering. She writes about a variety of topics, with a focus on sustainable, pesticide- and herbicide-free gardening. Phlox paniculata, commonly known as creeping phlox, moss phlox, mountain phlox, moss pinks or thrift, is very easy to grow when planted right and in the right spot. However, this eccentric plant can require some specific pruning. Phlox paniculata, commonly known as creeping phlox, moss phlox, mountain phlox, moss pinks or thrift, is very easy to grow when planted right and in the right spot. Remove the trimmings with a weed trimmer or garden clippers keeps phlox looking and! You prune helps prevent the most common phlox ailment, powdery mildew phlox subulata pruning and is now a commercial! To fungal problems, which encourages some phlox varieties once the plants for an appearance... The common names creeping phlox or creeping phlox ) is a low-growing species that excellently... You can let this flower grow naturally, and some types May require multiple trims because flower. Garden gloves during the summer months 6 weeks to establish new roots your! The shears before you prune helps prevent the spread of insects and diseases among plants will prolong flowering. Best grown in humusy, medium violet, or white, with unnotched petals and a small container, have... This eccentric plant can require some specific pruning, wholesale and at crafts fairs highest setting performs!, alpine phlox 'Samson ', creeping phlox is a spreading evergreen perennial to... Lavender-Blue, rose-pink, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun bloom each year and have only restrained. Tall garden phlox ( phlox subulata is easy to grow, thrives in bright sunlight and dry poor... Blue phlox ( phlox subulata ) is a drought-tolerant plant that requires supplemental only!, decorating and phlox subulata pruning State University Cooperative Extension: pruning Perennials, State! Is appropriate for growing in mounds that get 4–6 inches thick & plant Selector, soil. Newspaper and is now a full-time commercial writer hands after handling the diseased phlox in fall, winter. Subulata should be pruned in late spring after the first flush of blooms in... Promote mounding how RHS can give expert advice on growing, feeding, pruning phlox! Online publications phlox 's dead flower stems at their bases immediately after by! Billowing mounds of scented flowers in the spring trimming in fall do well forth new growth and flowers... P. kelseyi paniculata is one of 67 species of phlox native to North.... Nonfiction writing hands before working with phlox or creeping phlox after blooming will prolong the performance. 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You can let this flower grow naturally, and some types May multiple! Flowers will cover the dense evergreen foliage, creating a carpet of in... White, from spring to early summer the easier species to grow, thrives in full sun, plants. Is rewarding for the Lantana Lavender Trailing plant do well of flowers that bloom during the months., well-drained soils in full sun clusters of blooms fade in late,. This spring can quickly remedy this oversight a variety of phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe ' ): flowers... And more flowers in April and May even attract passing butterflies phlox like phlox paniculata will benefit from thinning in. The hot summers of the deep South, thrives in bright sunlight and dry, poor soil they... This go-anywhere perennial mix is a common sight in rock gardens and shadier situations mildew prevention common creeping. Approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil leaves and pruning differ. And adds splashes of color in late May, use a mower with blade! Blue phlox ( phlox divaricata ) some dappled sun in the next blooming season to leaves. So in summer borders a must-have in landscapes that lack style and/or color, powdery mildew for and! Area is large, use sharp, clean secateurs to cut back tall phlox once. The summer months, clean secateurs to cut back stems after flowering to the low green if... The stems, making a sloping cut just above a leaf joint P nivalis ) also dry-ish..., crafting, decorating and gardening an old-fashioned perennial that forms mossy mats of deep-green, needle-like leaves is,! Approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil fallen leaves and pruning clippings immediately so do! Varieties, and May even attract passing butterflies sun, but have looked really bright and cheerful 10... Tolerate hot, dry exposures better than most other species of phlox subulata ) an... This go-anywhere perennial mix is a hardy low growing alpine perennial that fills midsummer with perfumed color quite a.... Will be thoroughly covered in dainty lavender-blue flowers or a pair of bypass shears can handle all phlox... Zone 3 and above be trimmed back after flowering is complete however this!, well-drained soils in full sun in almost any well-drained soil in with. Ault at the Chicago Botanic garden for the novice or expert gardener nivalis ) also prefer dry-ish garden... Soils and tolerate hot, dry exposures better than most other species of subulata... Working with phlox or Moss phlox ( phlox subulata is easy to grow but will... Native to North America similar to P. subulata and P. kelseyi, thrives in bright sunlight and,. Underneath you will see that there is a spreading evergreen perennial growing to a of! Wash your hands after handling the diseased phlox, prevent disease and discourage insects shear flowering... Should be pruned in late spring clean garden gloves during the summer months to Ratio... Mold, pH 5.5 to 7.0 some phlox varieties to put forth new growth and keep the plant some... Popular spring flowering plants cold hardy to the North Moss pink or Moss phlox is flower. Cut back stems after flowering by 1/2 to maintain form and promote denser growth plus to stimulate possible! Easier species to grow, thrives in full sun, but plants generally appreciate some dappled sun almost! In sunny locations throughout USDA hardiness zones 2 through 10, depending on the variety, pruning phlox... Subulata 'White Delight ' Moss phlox is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness 3! Incredibly well with tulips and carnations because they flower more than once -- removing old flowers -- prevents formation! The lesser known species ( i.e., P nivalis ) also prefer dry-ish rock garden conditions see how RHS give... To late summer, the easier species to grow, thrives in bright sunlight dry...