When to Plant Creeping Phlox?

Creeping phlox blankets rocks and soil with little flowers.

Plant creeping phlox in the early spring to get a jump on growing colorful blankets of tiny flowers in colors from pink, lavender, red or white that drape over rocks or slopes. If you missed the spring window for planting, summer or even fall plantings are successful -- as long as you give plants extra water in summer, or get them into the ground a few weeks before the winter freezing.

Winter

Start the creeping phlox seeds indoors in peat pots during the late winter, while the last of the snow is still on the ground. Use an all-purpose potting soil; bury the seeds just under the surface of the soil; water and place in a cool, but sunny place where they will sprout. Maintain moist soil until you plant them outside.

Spring

Plant creeping phlox seedlings directly into the soil in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. Provide a full-sun position for the best health, but do not expect flowers the first year while the plant situates itself and develops a good root system.

Summer

Water summer plantings of the creeping phlox on a daily basis until the roots can reach lower into the soil where the water will not evaporate so quickly. Choose the early summer if possible or if not, plant during rainy weather or in the later afternoon to avoid the high heat. Shade the new plantings during the midday heat if possible until they produce new growth.

Fall

Choose a cool day to plant your creeping phlox if you are adding to your garden before the winter strikes. Plant your phlox in the full sun and is water it well even if the days are cooler and getting shorter. Cover the plants if you have an early frost to keep them growing until the roots establish themselves before the freezing temperatures arrive.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Phlox Subulata Creeping Phlox, Moss Pink; Edward F. Gilman, Carol Lord; October 1999
• Washington State University Clark County Extension; Creeping Phlox
• Ohio State University; Horticulture and Crop Science; Phlox subulata
• Cornell University Extension: Home Gardening; How to Grow Perennials