Does Phlox subulata like sun or shade?
The specific epithet, subulata, is Latin and translates as awl-shaped, which references the leaves. Moss phlox prefers moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil and full sun. It flowers best in full sun, but in hot, humid summers, the plant appreciates some dappled sun. Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata) Flower colors include white, pink, red, blue, and purple. Moss phlox is easy to grow. It performs best in sunny areas and well-drained soils. Shearing back plants after flowering promotes dense growth and some rebloom.Count on tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata hybrids) to provide a colorful summer display in perennial gardens, blooming as much as six weeks or more. Some cultivars begin blooming in mid-summer, others not until late August. Most tall garden phlox grow two to three feet, with some slightly taller.Phlox is a Native Plant that Attracts Native Pollinators Bumble bees, along with honey bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators are frequent visitors to Phlox blooms. The creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is a perennial that is native to the eastern seaboard and is not usually grown from seed.Phlox is available in two main varieties: Garden (or meadow) Phlox and Woodland Phlox. Garden Phlox performs best in full sun and can reach heights of up to 4,’ while Woodland Phlox prefers cool, partial-shade areas and stays more compact as it creeps along the garden floor.
Will phlox survive winter?
The aerial or above-ground portion of perennial phlox dies when hit by frost. The roots remain alive underground. Most phlox plants are hardy down to zone 4. Check the label on a specific cultivar to make sure it is hardy in your USDA planting zone. Creeping phlox typically bloom in late spring or early summer. Tall phlox flowering mid to late summer. If your phlox aren’t blooming, they may not be planted in the right growing environment, need nutrients, or have become overcrowded.Plant creeping phlox in spring or early summer, or autumn in mild areas, in good fertile soil that drains freely and with no danger of water-logging in winter. Ensure the top of the rootball is not lower than the surrounding soil, which would cause water to gather around and rot the plant.If you wanted to give your creeping phlox some special attention, try pruning your phlox by cutting them back once the flowers have faded. Otherwise, this plant will do just fine throughout the winter if you decide to pay it no mind.In spring, add a balanced fertilizer to your watering, and consider spreading compost along with mulch during your springtime gardening. After those simple tasks, your phlox will be well-set for the growing season! After your phlox blooms and the blooms begin to fade, deadhead the plant to encourage it to bloom again.Plant phlox in the spring after the threat of frost has passed, or plant in the fall at least a month before your first frost.
Does creeping phlox come back every year?
Creeping Phlox (Phlox Subulata) is just one of the sixty species of phlox native to North America. Their flowering season arrives in July and continues into September. Creeping Phlox bloom during spring, usually from March through May or April through June depending on your climate and weather conditions.Companion Plants: Phlox combine nicely with other garden Phlox cultivars and numerous sun loving perennials such as Agastache, Coreopsis, Echinacea, Euonymus, Gaillardia, Hemerocallis, ornamental grasses, Nepeta, Penstemon, Perovskia, Physocarpus, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Sedum, and Weigela.Summer Blooms – Garden Phlox produces clusters of flowers that begin in mid-summer and continue through fall. Long-Lasting Flowers – Enjoy color in your garden for weeks with minimal maintenance.Varieties that hail from woodland habitats, sometimes called ‘woodland phlox’, such as Phlox divaricata, need partial shade and hummus-rich soil. Annual phlox, such as Phlox drummondii, are ideal as bedding plants or for growing in containers and are often grown from seed.Phlox prosper in a cool sunny climate, well-watered, in rich sweet soil. In much of the country, they will thrive in full sun, although partial shade is fine, as long as the plants receive at least 4 hours of direct sun. In the southern or hot climes, partial shade is recommended.
What does phlox look like in winter?
During the colder months or off-season, creeping phlox typically recedes and may look dry or lifeless. The presence of grayish or dry foliage can be part of its natural cycle before regrowing in the spring. Creeping phlox is exceptionally hardy and will last for years in the garden. Hillsides and banks that are prone to erosion benefit greatly from planting creeping phlox, as it slowly spreads via roots along its stems.Growing well in pots or beds, Phlox is a low-maintenance choice to plant in large swaths throughout the garden. It comes in a variety of heights and nearly every color of the rainbow to complement any garden design.Yes, creeping phlox often comes back better than ever! Similar to other ground cover varieties, creeping phlox can take some time to reach it’s true potential. Even though it’s fast-growing, creeping phlox take about two years to reach maturity.Water newly planted phlox at least once a week for a few weeks. Then water during extended dry periods or when the top couple of inches of soil dries out. Phlox prefers growing in moist but not water-logged soil.Phlox are herbaceous border stalwarts – hardy and very easy to grow. They have sturdy stems, so even the taller varieties rarely need staking. Largely pest-free and disease-resistant, they last for years in the garden.
What’s the difference between garden phlox and creeping phlox?
Phlox fall into a few broad categories: creeping phlox (Phlox subulata, a thick groundcover that blooms in spring), tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata, a summer favorite in cottage-style borders, usually about 3 feet tall) and woodland phlox (a less-familiar shade-lover). If you want blooms all summer, consider planting 2-3 successions of Phlox, about 3 weeks apart. Phlox is considered an Annual, but I consider them a “Hardy Annual” since they can tolerate frost when the plants are mature.In Summary: Growing Phlox in outdoor pots, especially dwarf Tall Garden Phlox and Creeping Phlox, is a wonderfully rewarding way to add masses of fragrant, colorful blooms and attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your patios, balconies, and gardens.What are the drawbacks of creeping phlox? Creeping phlox is susceptible to rot and disease if it is overcrowded, and can fail to bloom if it does not receive enough sun. What does creeping phlox look like when it’s not blooming? When not in bloom, creeping phlox will grow in a low mat with needle-like stems.To successfully grow phlox, choose a sunny spot with moist, well-drained soil. In hot, dry weather, make sure to keep them well-watered, as they are sensitive to drought. While they generally require little care, deadheading promptly after flowering can encourage more blooms later in the season.
Is creeping phlox a perennial or annual?
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata), also known as moss pink or moss phlox, is a hardy, low-maintenance perennial ground cover that transforms your landscape each spring with a thick blanket of blooms. Slopes and Banks: Creeping Phlox is an effective ground cover for slopes and banks where it can help prevent soil erosion while providing a colorful display. It also requires less maintenance in these hard-to-reach areas.Foliage is deep green or variegated and lanceolate (spear-shaped). Garden phlox is considered a sun-loving, cool-garden perennial, but it can be grown in light shade – particularly at the hotter end of its zone tolerance.Phlox subulata is a suitable ground cover, but it needs full sun. It won’t be happy in shade. There are a wide variety of colors. Most creeping phlox you see online is Phlox subulata .
Where is the best place to plant creeping phlox?
Light: Both varieties of phlox enjoy full sun, although the upright Garden phlox can take a little afternoon shade, particularly in the south. Soil: Phlox is tolerant of most garden soils, but well-drained soil is preferable, particularly in northern areas where spring snow is slow to drain. Beautiful and versatile, phlox is one of the most popular plants for gardens new and old. Not only is it fast growing and native to the United States, it’s a favorite with pollinators and will instantly energize your garden with vibrant color and a sweet, clove-like fragrance.Planting. Because there are so many different types of phlox, sunlight requirements vary. Tall garden phlox do best in full sun, while woodland species thrive in partial shade.Choose a site with full sun and moist, well-drained soil. For heavy clay soils, amend the soil with compost before planting. Space tall garden phlox 24” apart to allow for air circulation and reduce the potential for powdery mildew. Consistently water plants the first season until they are established.