Scientific Name:
Phlox subulata
Pronunciation:
FLOCKS sub-you-LAY-tuh
Common Name:
creeping phlox, moss phlox
Family Name:
Polemoniaceae
Plant Type:
Ground cover, Semi-evergreen
Key ID Features:
Loose, mat forming mound; leaves opposite, sessile, pubescent, most linear or lanceolate, long pointed, thick, and clustered at nodes; flowers about 2cm wide with notched petals.
Habit:
Spreading
Form:
Creeping / Mat-like
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.1 - 0.2m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
U.S. - central, U.S. - northeast
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 2: (-46 to -40 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Rocky or gravelly or dry, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Alpine, Container planting, Ground cover, Hanging basket, Native planting, Perennial border, Rock garden, Small garden/space, Spring interest, Woodland margin
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown or on campus may include P. 'Emerald Blue', P. 'Snowflake', P. 'Purple Beauty', and P. 'Amazing Grace'. Compare to moss campion.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Leathery
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Fall:
Green
Shapes:
Deltoid, Linear
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Decurrent
Margins:
Ciliate, Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Cyme
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Salverform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Blue, Violet, Purple, Pink, Red (cv. 'Millstream Daphne' has bright pink flowers)
Flower Scent:
Fragrant
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May
Additional Info:
cvs, Amazing Grace is white with a pink eye, Purple Beauty is red purple, Snowflake is white
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Red
Propagation:
Seed, Layering, Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Leaf miner insect, Mildew, Mites (Drought tolerant)
Course(s):
- CLT Training
- HORT 1193/1293
- HORT 2355
- Level 4 Apprenticeship
Location(s):
- (AGB) Acer Griseum Bed : cvs. Snowflake, Purple Beauty, Amazing Grace
- (BCW) Boulevard (Circular) Westend : green wall - cv. Emerald Blue or Amazing Grace
- (PDW) PonD West
- (WLG) WoodLand Garden