Creeping Phlox Care
- Light. This plant grows best in full sun to partial shade. Too much shade can impede flower production.
- Soil. Creeping phlox likes soil that is rich in organic matter. It prefers a slightly acidic soil pH but also can tolerate neutral and slightly alkaline soil.
- Water. This plant requires a moderate amount of soil moisture, though mature plants do have some drought tolerance.
- Temperature and Humidity. Creeping phlox plants are fairly hardy in their growing zones. ...
- Fertilizer. Fertilizing in the late winter or early spring will promote growth and support a more robust bloom for your creeping phlox.
How to plant and care for creeping phlox?
Learning how to plant and care for creeping phlox is quite simple. 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.
What is the best fertilizer for creeping phlox?
Feed it with a general slow-release fertilizer suitable for flowering plants, following label instructions. There are many varieties of creeping phlox, including: Phlox stolonifera ‘Fran’s Purple’: This phlox features deep green leaves and rich purple flowers. Phlox stolonifera ‘Home Fires’: Bright pink flowers adorn this variety.
How do you fertilize a phlox plant?
Feed container grown phlox every other week using a general purpose, water-soluble fertilizer mixed to half strength. Cut the plant back by one-third to one-half after blooming to create a neater plant and encourage a second flush of blooms.
Should I mulch my Phlox?
You should mulch your phlox. To fertilize, follow the directions on the package. Pull back the mulch and sprinkle the fertilizer around the plants. Replace the mulch and water the plant thoroughly. It is good to fertilize phlox with a slow-release fertilizer.
Is Miracle Grow good for creeping phlox?
Fertilizing: We recommend you fertilize all your shrubs, evergreens, trees, groundcover, and perennials once every 3 weeks. This should be done during the months of April, May, June, July, and August. We suggest you use Miracle-Gro, a water-soluble fertilizer, or Milorganite, a granular fertilizer.
When should you fertilize creeping phlox?
It is good to fertilize phlox with a slow-release fertilizer. Do this once in the spring when the phlox begins growing again and once in late summer just before they go dormant. You also can fertilize once just before the blossoms appear.
How do you rejuvenate creeping phlox?
The stems can be cut back after flowering to promote a second bloom. Care of creeping phlox may also include cutting the plant back in late winter to allow for rejuvenation and to produce young, more compact stems.
Do I need to fertilize phlox?
Caring for Creeping Phlox is very simple and easy. They are very low-maintenance plants. In The Garden: To encourage new growth and heavier flowering, Creeping Phlox plants growing in the ground will benefit from a feeding in late winter or early spring with a slow release flower fertilizer or organic plant food.
Does phlox like Epsom salt?
0:282:51How to Use Epsom Salts in the Garden | At Home With P. Allen SmithYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI like providing epsom salts out in the garden to new plants that I've planted.MoreI like providing epsom salts out in the garden to new plants that I've planted.
What should I feed my garden phlox?
Fertilize with a shovelful of compost for each plant or a light application of 10-10-10 fertilizer at planting time and again just before the flowers open. If you fertilize once more after the flowers fade, you may get another flush of flowers.
Why is my creeping phlox not blooming?
Common Reasons Why Phlox Aren't Blooming If they are not planted in full sun and not blooming, dig them up and move them to a sunnier spot in your garden. If they have become leggy, cut back on your fertilizer regiment. Fertilize with a balanced formula if you have neglected this task for a few years.
Why are my creeping phlox turning brown?
Black rot on creeping phlox is spread through the soil and by rain or overhead sprinklers via waterborne spores. Excessive irrigation contributes to the problem. Plants grown in alkaline soil are also more susceptible to black rot. In greenhouses, fungal gnats are efficient at spreading the disease.
How do you keep phlox blooming?
0:212:29Deadhead Your Phlox For MORE FLOWERS! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSimply take your clippers or sheers. And chop off the top bouquet of flowers. And that way this willMoreSimply take your clippers or sheers. And chop off the top bouquet of flowers. And that way this will encourage all the growth of the plant and the energy.
Does phlox need a lot of water?
Phlox need plenty of moisture to do well, but they shouldn't be waterlogged. To make sure your soil drains well, take a look at it after a heavy rain. If you see standing water and puddles there, the soil doesn't have good drainage. If the area is wet, but not soaking, it should be fine for growing phlox.
Does creeping phlox like acidic soil?
Creeping phlox likes soil that is rich in organic matter. It prefers a slightly acidic soil pH but also can tolerate neutral and slightly alkaline soil. Moreover, it needs a well-drained soil. This plant requires a moderate amount of soil moisture, though mature plants do have some drought tolerance.
Why is my creeping phlox not blooming?
Common Reasons Why Phlox Aren't Blooming If they are not planted in full sun and not blooming, dig them up and move them to a sunnier spot in your garden. If they have become leggy, cut back on your fertilizer regiment. Fertilize with a balanced formula if you have neglected this task for a few years.
How do you take care of a creeping phlox in the winter?
Cover the creeping phlox plants with evergreen tree branches, loose straw or burlap sacks. This prevents water loss due to leaf moisture evaporation. Add a layer of snow over the evergreen branches when it snows. This keeps the phlox plants dormant when the air temperature rises above freezing during the winter.
Why are my creeping phlox turning brown?
Black rot on creeping phlox is spread through the soil and by rain or overhead sprinklers via waterborne spores. Excessive irrigation contributes to the problem. Plants grown in alkaline soil are also more susceptible to black rot. In greenhouses, fungal gnats are efficient at spreading the disease.
Do you cut back creeping phlox in the fall?
Creeping phlox remains evergreen so it never requires trimming in fall. In areas without heavy winter snows, cut back tall phlox varieties once the plants die back naturally in late fall or early winter. Prune the plants to within a few inches of the ground.
What type of soil does creeping phlox like?
Creeping phlox likes soil that is rich in organic matter. It prefers a slightly acidic soil pH but also can tolerate neutral and slightly alkaline soil. Moreover, it needs a well-drained soil.
How to propagate creeping phlox?
To propagate creeping phlox plants, simply divide your plants in the spring immediately after they are finished blooming. Dig up the entire plant, including the root ball. Cut through the roots to divide the plant roughly in half, and then replant each half wherever you wish.
When does creeping phlox bloom?
It blooms in the late spring to early summer with clusters of fragrant, five-petal flowers that stretch almost an inch across.
Can you trim back phlox?
After the blooming period is over, you can trim back the foliage to create a neater form. This also will promote denser foliage, enhancing the phlox's beauty as a ground cover. Alternatively, you can skip the pruning and let the plants grow naturally.
Can creeping phlox survive frost?
Creeping phlox plants are fairly hardy in their growing zones. They tolerate heat well and can handle some frost, though prolonged exposure to temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit can damage the plants. Moreover, humidity is typically not an issue for the plants.
Do phlox need pruning?
Plus, mature plants might need a bit of pruning maintenance to keep them looking tidy unless you'd like for your phlox to naturally spread and blanket a large area. As with many ground covers, grass and weeds growing up through the phlox can be a nuisance.
Can phlox get powdery mildew?
Creeping phlox is less susceptible to the powdery mildew that plagues other phlox species, but spider mites can be an issue is hot, dry climates. 1 Insecticidal soaps are often helpful for this problem.
How to propagate creeping phlox?
Simply dig the plant up, preserving the root ball. Cut through the center of the plant and through the roots with a sharp soil knife or even a spade. Re plant one-half of the phlox in the original hole and plant the other anywhere you want more ...
What is creeping phlox?
About Creeping Phlox. A perennial nature and semi-evergreen habit are important facts about creeping phlox. These plants have needle-like foliage with small starry, five-pointed flowers in red, lavender, pink, white or bluish-purple. Creeping phlox blooms in spring and produces long, spreading stems, which become woody with age.
Can creeping phlox grow in full sun?
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 to propagate creeping phlox?
Creeping phlox is easy to propagate through division, stem cuttings, or rooted stems. Cuttings, if done right, are a particularly easy option to propagate, as they root easily after a few months. All you need to do is cut a roughly 6-inch-long section, either from a rooted stem or a lateral shoot near the tip.
How to grow P. subulata?
It’s easy to grow P. stolonifera and P. subulata from seed, cuttings, and transplants. From seed, the main thing to remember is to use a potting medium with good drainage, preferably comprised of perlite and coarse sand granules. It’s best to seed them about 2 months before the last frost date.
What is the difference between P. subulata and P. stolonifera?
stolonifera has more of a mixed foliage. However, the main difference between the two is that, whilst P. stolonifera tolerates partial shade, P. subulata is very much a sun-seeker (I can empathize with this), and so only thrives in full sunlight.
Can a P. subulata grow without sun?
Growing Tips. P. stolonifera and P. subulata are adaptable and versatile plants which, when situated in the right place with the right amount of sun exposure, will thrive without any special care. There are, however, a few things you can do to help these flowers along.
Is P. stolonifera good for shade?
P. stolonifera is good with partial shade and can reach up to 12 inches in height. Both are such similar plants that they are often confused. If I really had to choose between the two, I’d say P. subulata might just about win out as a ground cover, thanks to that fact that it’s shorter and tends to bloom more densely.
Do you need to root phlox cuttings?
Make sure there’s at least one leaf and no flowers on the cutting. Always make cuttings with a clean, sharp tool to prevent infection. Creeping phlox roots so well that it doesn’t even require rooting hormone, although this product will help speed along the process if you’re keen to ensure success.
How often should I feed phlox?
Feed container grown phlox every other week using a general purpose, water-soluble fertilizer mixed to half strength. Cut the plant back by one-third to one-half after blooming to create a neater plant and encourage a second flush of blooms.
When should I start creeping phlox seeds?
Start creeping phlox seeds indoors about six weeks before the last frost in your area. If you prefer, you can start with small plants from a local greenhouse or nursery.
What is a moss pink phlox?
This fast-growing plant will soon fill a container or hanging basket with purple, pink, or white flowers cascading over the rim. Potted creeping phlox is beautiful and, once planted, requires minimal care. It may also be known as moss pink, moss phlox, or mountain phlox.
Can creeping phlox be planted in a container?
Image by raksyBH. 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.
Can creeping phlox be pest resistant?
Cut long runners back to about half their length to create a bushier, denser growth. Creeping phlox tends to be pest resistant, although it can sometimes be bothered by spider mites. The tiny pests are easy to control with insecticidal soap spray. Printer Friendly Version.
How tall do pholox grow?
Some species form low mats a few inches tall, others can grow more than a yard-and-a-half tall. The timing for applying fertilizer is not complicated. Phlox are colorful flowers that are native to temperate North America.
When do phlox go dormant?
The phlox that grow in most gardens are perennials, meaning they go dormant in the autumn and return in the spring. They grow back from root stock. You don’t have to replant them each spring. They like soil that is well drained, plus some sun and some shade.
What do perennials need?
General Needs of Perennials. Perennials ordinarily need a fertilizer with low amounts of nitrogen. If a perennial has too much nitrogen, it will produce fat stems and huge leaves instead of flowers. A soil test will tell you if your soil is lacking in nitrogen, phosphorous or potassium.
How to pick commercial fertilizer?
To pick the right commercial fertilizer, you need to understand the numbering system on the package. The first number is the ratio of N, nitrogen that is needed for the growth of the plant above the ground. The second number is P, phosphorous that is needed to grow strong roots.
Can you fertilize phlox?
Although you can fertilize phlox, it is not essential. It’s good to incorporate generous amounts of nutrients into the soil before planting them, especially if it’s sandy soil. You can use compost, peat moss or manure.
Do phlox need fertilizer?
While phlox do not require large amounts of fertilizer, you should avoid planting them in the shade of trees. Tree roots rob phlox of the moisture and nutrients they need to flourish and provide their colorful blossoms. For the same reason, don’t plant them near hedges and large shrubs.
