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Creeping Phlox thrives in full sun but tolerates dappled shade in the hot summer areas. It is easily grown in humus-rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Creeping Phlox is a perfect choice for rock gardens or foundation plantings. It is also useful for edging and makes a terrific ground cover.
Where is the best place to plant creeping phlox?
The plant has an easy going nature and thrives in a variety of conditions. Almost any soil is suitable for growing creeping phlox as long as it is in full sun to partial shade. For best results, however, plant it in a sunny location where soils are moist but well drained.
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.
What time of year do you plant creeping phlox?
Plant phlox in the spring—after the threat of frost has passed—and space the plants 1 to 2 feet apart. If you are moving a plant from a pot, dig a hole about twice the size of the pot’s diameter and place the plant so that the top of the root ball is even with the soil’s surface.
Does creeping phlox do well in shade?
Summary. Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) and creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera) are both shade-loving species prized for their beautiful spring flowers.
Does 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.
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.
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.
Can you grow creeping phlox in a container?
Can creeping phlox be planted in containers? It certainly can. In fact, keeping creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) in a container is a great way to rein in its vigorous spreading tendencies. This fast-growing plant will soon fill a container or hanging basket with purple, pink, or white flowers cascading over the rim.
How far apart should you plant phlox?
Spacing: Garden phlox should be planted about 18 inches apart, while Creeping phlox should be planted about 2 feet apart. Giving these plants lots of room for air circulation is the key to limiting the appearance of mildew.
Is creeping phlox fragrant?
Creeping phlox is an attractive, easy-to-grow North American-native groundcover that is completely covered in fragrant flowers when it blooms in the early spring.
How long will creeping phlox bloom?
Blooming profusely for 3-4 weeks in mid to late spring, Creeping Phlox boasts bright, fragrant flowers in shades of blue-purple, pink, red or white. Each flower is adorned with five, flat, petal-like, rounded lobes that are distinctively notched. Mat-forming, Phlox subulata grows only 4-6 in.
Can phlox grow in partial sun?
Sun and Shade: Phlox may be grown in full sun or partial shade. The plants will produce more flowers when they are grown in full sun. Zone: Garden phlox are winter hardy in zones 4 to 8.
Is creeping phlox invasive?
Needless to say, creeping phlox is one hardy plant. One of the best loved features about creeping phlox is that it will spread, but is not so brutish as to be invasive about it. It will cover an area quite nicely and will politely step around anything already growing there.
How do you plant a creeping phlox on a slope?
Slide the creeping phlox carefully from the container, and then place the plant in the hole. Ensure the creeping phlox is planted at the same soil depth as it was planted in its container. Planting the top of the root ball too deeply may cause the plant to rot.
Should you deadhead creeping phlox?
Pruning Creeping Phlox Phlox stolonifera benefits from deadheading to permit air circulation and to reduce development of powdery mildew, one of the few phlox problems, according to North Carolina State University Extension. Start to cut back flowering stems once half the blooms are spent.
Can phlox survive frost?
Creeping phlox plants are not as sensitive to frost as many other plants, but temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit for a few nights after a period of warm spring weather will damage them and temperatures below 40 F should prompt protective measures. Fall frost is not a problem for creeping phlox plants.
Should you Deadhead phlox?
Phlox will reseed itself so there need never be a year without these lovely flowers. Deadheading phlox blooms will prevent much of that reseeding. Some gardeners deadhead phlox flowers to confine the spread of the plant. Since phlox is a perennial, the resulting seedlings can become weedy and often do not bloom.
How do you start a ground cover plant?
Planting groundcovers is easy. Simply pop them out of their pots and plant them at the same depth they were growing previously. If the plants look root bound (a solid mass of tightly packed roots) gently tease the roots apart before sinking the plants into the soil. Then, water the bed thoroughly.
Can I walk on creeping thyme?
Thyme Alternative to Grass A creeping thyme lawn is not only drought resistant, but it generally requires much less water than traditional turf grasses too. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, can be walked upon, and will rapidly spread to fill in a space. Most varieties of thyme are tolerant of light foot traffic.
What is 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.
