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Creeping phlox or Moss phlox (Phlox subulata) is a low-growing species that works excellently as a ground cover. It spreads slowly, growing in mounds that get 4–6 inches thick. The whole plant turns into a carpet of color in spring, when flowers cover every square inch of foliage.
How quickly does creeping phlox spread?
Like other ground covers,creeping phlox takes a few years to reach maturity — about two years on average, according to the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension. This means it grows an average of about an inch per month.
How wide does creeping phlox spread?
Mat-forming, Phlox subulata grows only 4-6 in. tall (10-15 cm) but spreads vigorously up to 2 ft. wide (60 cm) in a beautiful flower carpet resembling moss, hence the common name of moss phlox. Its creeping stems are clothed in needle-like evergreen to semi-evergreen leaves.
Does creeping phlox multiply?
Creeping phlox is easy to propagate through division, stem cuttings, or rooted stems. Cuttings, if done right, are a particularly easy option to propagate, as they root easily after a few months.
Will creeping phlox keep spreading?
A perennial nature and semi-evergreen habit are important facts about creeping phlox. These plants have needle-like foliage with small starry, five-pointed flowers in red, lavender, pink, white or bluish-purple. Creeping phlox blooms in spring and produces long, spreading stems, which become woody with age.
Can you divide creeping phlox?
It’s easy to divide. Spread the foliage apart and cut through the roots along the dividing line, which you can see in the top photo at left, making sure all the roots on the division are severed from the main plant. Then use a trowel to loosen the roots and release the division from the ground so you can lift it.
Can you walk on creeping phlox?
Creeping Phlox Phlox preferes direct sunlight and well-drained soil, and it’s durable enough to walk on throughout the year.
How do you stop creeping phlox from spreading?
New growth makes up the top layer of creeping phlox. To get to the dying foliage, look beneath the green layer and prune away any dead stems. Pruning of both types of creeping phlox will encourage better bloom production, especially in the next year. Pruning will also help the plant to better spread.
Will creeping phlox bloom all summer?
Creeping phlox blooms for approximately six weeks late in the spring and into the early part of the summer in all zones where it grows.
Does creeping phlox come back every year?
Phlox are easy-to-grow perennials that come back reliably every season. Creeping Phlox blooms in mid-spring. It looks great planted with spring-blooming bulbs, like Daffodils and Tulips, or as an edging plant, or planted on slopes or stone walls where it can spill over the edge.
How do you separate phlox plants?
To divide phlox, cut around the root ball with a sharp spade, then gently lift the plant out from the ground. Remove excess dirt from the roots. Separate the roots into sections with three or more shoots and adequate roots with a sharp, clean knife. Plant these new divisions immediately and water them thoroughly.
Do phlox plants spread?
Low-Growing Phlox Creeping phlox or Moss phlox (Phlox subulata) is a low-growing species that works excellently as a ground cover. It spreads slowly, growing in mounds that get 4–6 inches thick. The whole plant turns into a carpet of color in spring, when flowers cover every square inch of foliage.
Is Garden phlox invasive?
Tall garden phlox is a very popular well behaved late season blooming perennial but its evil twin with the same five-petal flower arrangement is highly invasive.
What grows well with phlox?
Perennial Gardens Garden phlox is a good companion for other summer-blooming perennials such as lilies, bee balm, rudbeckia, Shasta daisies, yarrow, clematis and daylilies.
Does creeping phlox turn brown in winter?
Winter drying occurs when creeping phlox foliage is exposed to cold winter winds and direct sunlight. Even though they are evergreen, the plants go dormant in the winter and can’t absorb moisture to keep the leaves hydrated.
Do you cut back creeping phlox in the fall?
Creeping phlox remains evergreen so it never requires trimming in fall. In areas without heavy winter snows, cut back tall phlox varieties once the plants die back naturally in late fall or early winter. Prune the plants to within a few inches of the ground.
Should I mulch around creeping phlox?
Creeping phlox( Phlox stolonifera )is an excellent ground cover. Yes, I recommend using mulch the first season when establishing a groundcover. It will help to suppress the weeds while the ground cover fills in.
Do phlox reseed themselves?
(Garden phlox freely reseeds itself. However, most cultivars do not come from seeds. Seedlings are usually inferior plants. Large numbers can become weedy.)Jul 21, 2016.
Why are my creeping phlox dying?
Roots die as a result of over-watering. The garden phlox becomes more susceptible to infections and pest infestations; plants may collapse and die. To control wilting due to improper watering, simply scale back or water more often so soil remains moist without drying out completely or becoming excessively saturated.
Will creeping phlox choke out weeds?
Phlox Subulata Also known as Creeping Phlox, or Moss Phlox, this plant forms fluffy purple or white flowers in a thick mat. The dense carpet of flowers chokes out weeds by preventing sunlight from reaching beyond its bushy growth.
What’s the cheapest ground cover?
Cheap Natural Perennial Ground Cover Options Creeping Periwinkle – $1.07 per plant. Walk-on-Me Thyme – $3.99 per plant. Moss Phlox – $4.59 per plant. Violets and Pansies – Seeds range from $0.95 to $2.95. Early Snow Glories – $2.40 per plant.
Is creeping sedum invasive?
Sedums range in height from about 2 inches to 3 feet. Low-growing sedums spread themselves over the ground readily, but they’re not invasive, and their shallow root systems make them easy to remove—making them ideal ground cover plants.
