Creeping phlox, or moss phlox, the ubiquitous flower of rock gardens, often appears in harsh magenta shades, but there are varieties that provide many other colors, ranging from snowy white through soft pinks and violets to deep red. In the spring a flush of 1/2- 1-inch blossoms completely covers the plants. The evergreen foliage is made up of sharp scalelike leaves 1/4 to 1/2 inch long; individual plants rarely grow more than 4 to 6 inches tall, but may spread to a diameter of 2 feet or more, sending out trailing stems that create a thick, tufted carpet of foliage.
Besides making a colorful display in rock gardens, moss phlox can be used in front of perennial borders or cascading over retaining walls. It will grow in almost any well-drained soil in Zones 2-10, provided the site is sunny. Plant in spring, setting plants 12 to 18 inches apart. New plants are started from divisions of cuttings made after the plants have flowered. After flowering, it is advisable to shear the stems back halfway to stimulate fresh new foliage.
|
| Click on the thumbnail to see larger picture.
|
|
2/26/00. Creeping phlox looks pretty rough at the end of the winter.
|
|
3/11/00. Looking somewhat better after a couple of weeks of warmer weather.
|
|
3/11/00. First bud of 2000.
|
|
3/21/00. More buds and even some blooms.
|
|
3/23/00. Full bloom right around the corner.
|
|
3/29/00. Covered with tiny blooms. This color, if seen on a night with a full moon, seems to look silvery.
|
|
4/17/00. Blooms are fading now.
|
|
5/16/00. Folige looks a little ragged after all the blooms are gone.
|
|
5/26/00. Soon after the blooms are gone, it gets a spurt of new growth.
|
|
6/22/00. Usually at this time, I will cut this entire clump back by half. Since I'm going to redo this bed this fall, I don't think I'll mess with it now. I'll take it all up and transplant some smaller pieces then.
|
©2000-2007 Garden Pursuits. All Rights Reserved.
WebMistress: Barbara Anders
This site best viewed in 800x600 resolution.
Graphics on this site are for my personal use
only, and are not available for download.
Please do not take.
Site launched January 1, 2000.
Site updated September 1, 2007.
[CyberSalad]
[Garden Pursuits]
[Garden Quotes]
[Garden Journal]
[The Language of Flowers]
[Monthly Chores]
[Garden Poetry]
[Zone Maps]
[First/Last Frost Dates]
[Trees]
[Ground Covers]
[Fruit/Berries]
[Water Garden]
[Gardening Links]
[Vegetables]
[Lawn]
[Raised Beds]
[Bulbs, etc.]
[Shrubs]
[Perennials]
[Annuals]
[Herbs]
|
