It is almost mid-spring and creeping phlox—Phlox subulata—is having its moment. You can see it on the edges of flower beds, in planting boxes and cascading politely over garden walls. Healthy creeping phlox looks like a plush pink, blue/purple or white carpet that spreads outward just in time to make you forget that the daffodils are fading fast.
When some people think of perennial phlox, they imagine the showy, tall, late summer-blooming plants, with racemes or flower clusters of five-petaled blossoms and occasional issues with powdery mildew. Creeping phlox is short—just three to six inches tall—with a spreading, slightly mounding habit and tight racemes of small flowers. The two types, short and tall, provide graceful brackets for the warm months of the gardening year.
Phlox is a large genus, home to at least 70 species, the vast majority of which are native to various parts of North America. Creeping phlox hails from Ontario and Michigan to the north and west through the Appalachian Mountains and south to Tennessee and North Carolina. Its popularity means that it is now at home in nurseries and garden centers throughout the United States and Canada.
For eleven months of the year, creeping phlox, which is also known as moss pink and mountain phlox, sits on the ground, present but unassuming. Its needle-like green leaves are semi-evergreen, making it a useful, weed-stomping ground cover. The plants will spread if they are happy and also self seed, so a well-cared for phlox patch is a good garden investment. Every spring I am surprised when I discover my phlox is bigger than I remember it being last year.
At this time of the year, I always see lots of phlox at the big-box stores. Some are simply labeled “phlox” or “moss pink” and the varieties are not always identified. Most people select by color anyway. ‘Snowflake’ is pristine white. If you are looking for good examples, try ‘Emerald Blue’, which features masses of blue flowers, each with notched petals and small golden centers. ‘Fort Hills’ is a good pink-flowered phlox, with more pronounced petal notches. For a deeper shade of pink/purple, try ‘Atropurpurea’; or venture into the true purple range with ‘Purple Beauty’, adorned with darker purple rings on each bloom. Perky ‘Candy Stripe’ boasts pink petals edged in white.
All varieties do best in a sunny location with well drained soil. Once established, they are somewhat drought tolerant. Deer generally leave them alone, although the may accidentally trample them on their way to more delectable fare.
It has become increasingly apparent during the coronavirus “shelter in place” that most of us look better with regular haircuts. Creeping phlox is the same way. Shear it back after flowering to encourage healthy growth and promote next year’s flowers. Don’t be afraid to do this. Gentle shearing will not kill an established phlox.
When I was in Asheville, North Carolina two springs ago, I saw cascades of phlox gushing over the low stone walls that define many front gardens in residential neighborhoods. That inspired me to plant some just behind the stone wall in my lower back garden. They don’t quite cascade yet, but they are starting to droop over the edge in an appealing manner.
Phlox works wonders in rock gardens, accenting the small species tulips and grape hyacinths that bloom at the same time. I have also seen them massed in tapestry fashion on either level or sloping sites. All the available colors work well together, so if a spring tapestry appeals to you, phlox may do the trick.
Moss pinks also make terrific edging for beds and borders.
If your garden is a series of containers and you like creeping phlox, I recommend growing it in a container that can be inserted in a larger vessel just as the plants begin to bloom. When flowering ends, the phlox can be moved to one side and replaced in the larger container by another perennial or annual that has come into its own flowering season. You can change out window boxes in the same way.
Monrovia, the large plant wholesaler, lists the best array of creeping phlox varieties. Their website, at http://www.monrovia.com, has a feature that allows you to find a retailer near you. Your best bet right now is to call that retailer and ask if they have curbside pickup or delivery on plant and garden supply orders. The Michigan Bulb Company also has a limited selection available by mail order. Find them at Michigan Bulb Company, P.O. Box 4180, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025-4180; (812) 260-2148; wwwlmichiganbulb.com.