How to Grow Creeping Phlox Groundcover
Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera) is one of the most popular groundcovers in the shade garden. Growing to a height of 6 to 8 inches, it spreads rapidly by trailing stems. Its cheery 1 inch, 5-petal blooms rest atop oblong green leaves that form low mats quickly filling a shady spot with color. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Creeping phlox
- Garden trowel
- Water
- Mulch or other organic material (optional)
Instructions
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Determine the planting site. Creeping phlox prefers a site that offers partial to full shade. It is a woodland plant that requires consistently moist, well-drained organically rich soil.
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Purchase groundcover. Creeping phlox can be purchased in either 1 gallon containers or flats containing plugs. The groundcover spreads approximately 1 foot and adequate space should be allowed for growth.
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Prepare the planting site. Clear the planting site of weeds, grass and garden debris. For containerized plants, remove the groundcover from the pot by tapping it on the ground and easing the plant out. Dig a hole slightly larger than the container or plug and equal in depth. Phlox should be planted at the same depth it was growing.
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Position and plant the groundcover. Place the creeping phlox in the prepared hole. Fill the hole with water. Backfill the original soil and press down to firm the soil around the plant.
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Water and mulch the planting site. Once all the creeping phlox is planted, water the plants again. Lightly mulch around the plants, if desired.
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Tips & Warnings
Creeping phlox is a rapidly growing herbaceous perennial that grows well in Hardiness Zones 5 through 9 and blooms from July through September.
Creeping phlox is a good choice for shade gardens, naturalized gardens and woodland areas. It can also be a good groundcover for spring flowering bulbs.
There are a number of varieties of creeping phlox available in various colors, such as white, pink, purple and violet. Look for 'Blue Ridge,' 'Pink Ridge,' 'Bruce's White' or 'Ariane' at your garden center or nursery.
This variety of phlox should be provided with supplemental watering during periods of low rainfall.
Comments
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:) I'm going to pick some of this up to fill our shady spots baby...xoxo.
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It was my alter ego I believe....
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you did, is this what you do with your free time?
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I did not just post that...
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I think you have creeping phlox confused with ajuga. Creeping phlox does best in full sun to partial shade in rock gardens. If planted in full to part shade, it may grow, but will not flower well. Huchera also does well in shade. But if you plant creeping phlox in shade, know it will eventually thin out and flower minimally.
