POSTED BY PEGGY: One blog posting is not enough about the incredible Creeping Phlox. Call it old fashioned or say “been there, done that”, but before you do, go to your window and tell me what is blooming in your garden today. No other perennial blooms this early with such a punch of color than Phlox subulata. Mine is blooming it’s head off with no help from me. I’ve barely gotten my garden cleaned up.
During the last few years (since I’ve been working at Sugar Creek) I’ve been what’s called a perennial “collector”. I’ve been planting just one of everything I can get my hands on, just to see how it does in our climate, when it blooms and how much maintenance it requires. This type of perennial gardening is fun and informative, but doesn’t give me the WOW factor I am looking for in my garden.
Now it is time to narrow down my assortment. Out with the non performers, in with the Rock Stars.
Phlox subulata is definitely a Rock Star in my garden. I like it so much, I added five more last week. Still in the “collector” state of mind, I chose three different varieties/colors. They are all in the pink and white families so they should mix well together. I planted them in a narrow border that runs between my fence and sidewalk. My goal in this border is to have 100% plants and zero mulch. I’m tired of the mulch falling on the sidewalk. My goal is to have every square inch covered with plants. I’m trying out lots of different Steppables ( a series of plants that are super low growing and can take some foot traffic). Creeping phlox fits right in with the Steppables forming a tight ground cover that weeds don’t penetrate.
I planted ‘White Delight’ a bright white. White is a good transition when you are planting more than one color. You can also see it at night. ”Fort Hill’ is a bright hot pink and ‘Candy Stripe’ is a fun pink and white stripe. It’s too bad it won’t be blooming the same time as my Peppermint Twist Tall Phlox.
Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe'
There are several different species of Phox to learn more, check them out here: http://www.sugarcreekgardens.com/Plant%20Listings%20and%20Photos%20Files%20and%20Images/Perennials/Perennials%20P/Perennials%20P.htm
A recent trip to the Missouri Botanical Garden confirmed I had made the right decision. The Creeping Phox were blooming in all their glory.
Creeping Phlox at MO Bot last week.
Creeping Phlox in border at Missouri Botanical GardenBright Pink Creeping Phlox at Missouri Botanical Garden
Bright Pink Creeping Phlox at Missouri Botanical Garden
3 Comments
May 1, 2009 at 7:13 am
My creeping phlox just doesn’t bloom, I got a couple flowers last year and only a handful again this year. Any idea why? It’s planted in full sun.
May 1, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Hmmm…could be a couple of things. Do you fertilize? If not, I would give them a hit in early spring with Miracle-Gro Bloom Booster, which has the high middle number (which means more flowers). My other thought — could the ground there be too high in nitrogen? If your lawn guy is fertilizing in the spring, maybe some lawn fertilizer (which means LOTS of nitrogen) could be getting on those flowers. That will result in lots of foliage — at the expense of flowers. It might be worth having your soil tested — ? Good luck!
June 10, 2009 at 12:25 am
I used to live in Indiana and I had lots of creeping phlox and loved it. Now I live in Hawaii and I’d like to be able to have it again, but I’ve never seen it here before and I’m wondering if it’s too warm here to flower well (since it flowers before it’s really hot). Do you have any idea what creeping phlox would do in a tropical climate?