What’s doing the blooming? Creeping Phlox

Creeping Phlox
Creeping Phlox

So many of our spring bloomers are providing an above average floral display this year, and the creeping phlox is no exception! Next to the spring blooming bulbs, the creeping phlox is currently our showiest perennial in the landscape. Carpet-like mats of evergreen, needle foliage are densely packed with blossoms. They are flowing along garden borders, spilling over wall edges and out of rocky nooks. Creeping phlox really love the cool spring temps and it will extend their bloom for us significantly. At about 6” high with an 18-24” spread, creeping phlox creates a thick ground cover perfect in sunny beds and borders, especially where summer blooming perennials and shrubs won’t interfere with their debut each spring. This year we are carrying six varieties of Phlox subulata (creeping phlox). Along with our usual suspects, ‘Candy Stripes’, ‘Emerald Blue’, ‘Emerald Pink’, and ‘Snowflake’, we have added two new selections. Phlox subulata ‘Coral Eye’ and Phlox subulata ‘Drummond’s Pink’. ‘Coral Eye’ produces near-white with a slight blush and bright pink eye zone. ‘Drummond’s Pink’ boasts large deep pink flowers and the blossoms are considered some of the largest produced by creeping phlox.

Creeping phlox prefer full sun and average to fertile soils. They require proper drainage to prevent rot and can withstand drought conditions once they are properly established.