The creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) for landscape. A beautiful spring flowering plant to use as a small groundcover.
It is a plant that blooms from about early spring until early or mid-summer. It will do well in full sun but the blooms will last longer if planted in morning sun and afternoon shade in and around the Southwest. A nice profusion of color during spring the colors come in white, lavender, bright pink and blue. It is considered an evergreen or semi-evergreen.
Where to plant Creeping Phlox
Plant them in mass and in rock gardens, walkways, and garden paths. Use them in containers they will grow up to 6″ in height and close to 2 ft. in length. They thrive in Xeriscape gardens providing they get ample water.
Since they grow short and wide they can be used as ground cover plants. It’s important to note that they will stop blooming in mid-summer due to the intense heat but will retain its green foliage.
The creeping phlox can tolerate cold temperatures as it is native to the Eastern and central parts of the U.S. It will do well in the Southwest but might struggle in places where it never or rarely freezes.
Problems with Phlox plants
Powdery mildew is the most common problem. Avoid overspray watering and do not plant in full shade. Use neem oil to remove powdery mildew from these plants. Sometimes you will need to do several applications for neem oil to remove this fungus.
Fertilize about once or twice per month with a good all-purpose fertilizer to keep these plants looking green and healthy. Butterflies and hummingbirds love this plant.
Other plants that look similar: Lavender plants in the garden
Garden Phlox are a large family of plants you can read more over at Wikipedia.
USDA zones 3-9
