HCMGAHenderson County Master Gardener Association

Phlox Creeping Pink

Phlox subulata

Phlox Creeping Pink
Phlox Creeping Pink flowers

Characteristics

  • Type: Perennial
  • Zone: 3 – 9
  • Height: 4 – 6 Inches
  • Spread: 1 – 2 Feet
  • Bloom Time: March – May
  • Bloom: Pink
  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Medium
  • Maintenance: Medium
  • Suggested Use: Ground Cover, Naturalize
  • Flower: Showy
  • Attracts: Butterflies
  • Tolerates: Deer, Drought, Erosion, Air Pollution

Culture

Creeping Pink Phlox is best grown in humusy, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Best flowering is in full sun, but plants generally appreciate some dappled sun in areas with hot, humid summers. Good soil drainage is important. Plants grow well in sandy or gravely soils and tolerate hot, dry exposures better than most other species of phlox. Plants will self-seed in optimum growing conditions. Cut back stems after flowering by 1/2 to maintain form and promote denser growth plus to stimulate a possible light rebloom.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Phlox subulata, commonly called moss phlox, moss pink, mountain phlox or creeping phlox, is a vigorous, spreading, mat-forming, sun-loving phlox that grows to only 6” tall but spreads to 24” wide. It is noted for its creeping habit, its linear to awl-shaped leaves (which retain some green in winter) and its profuse carpet of mid-spring flowers with notched flower petals. Loose clusters (cymes) of fragrant, tubular flowers       (to 3/4” wide) bloom in April-May. Flowers are red-purple to violet-purple, pink or infrequently white. Each flower has five, flat, petal-like, rounded lobes that are distinctively notched. Linear to awl-shaped, green leaves (to 1” long). From Latin, subulata means awl-shaped in reference to the leaves. Vegetation mats purportedly resemble moss, hence the common name of moss phlox. Many cultivars of this plant are available in commerce featuring flower colors of blue/purple, pink, red and white. Attractive to butterflies and other insect pollinators.

Problems

Phlox subulata and its cultivars do not seem to be bothered by powdery mildew to the same extent as are most other species of phlox. Spider mites can be a problem, particularly in hot, dry conditions. Foliar nematodes can cause damage in wet/humid conditions. Watch out for rabbit damage.

Garden Uses

Rock gardens, edgings, foundations or ground covers. Ground covers are particularly valued in sunny areas of woodland gardens, slopes, native plant gardens or naturalized areas. Also appropriate for sunny areas of border fronts. Drape slightly over a rock wall.

Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Society Plant Finder