A Tale of Two Species: Phlox stoloniferaandPhlox subulata
A name like “ mouse phlox ” might not sound particularly inspiring .
In fact , when I first heard of it , I was pretty sure that it was n’t going to be a peculiarly pretty plant at all .
But with brilliant over-embellished , pink , white , and blue stars of flowers lay out against vivacious green foliation , it ’s exonerated that the name does n’t do justice to this delicious candy - tinge plant ( and perhaps I should n’t be so fast to pronounce ! ) .
P. subulata requires full sun and reaches just 6 inches tall. Making it the ideal border plant where you might need low ground cover to fill a space.
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And the good news does n’t stop there . A low - growing , leisurely , evergreen perennial that grows jubilantly in tough blank space , creeping phlox is the perfect option to bring a splash of color to a rock garden , or for a cascade down binding over stone walls .
In fact , both types are up to the job . There are really two unlike species that go by this coarse name .
P. subulata requires full sun and reaches just 6 inches tall. Making it the ideal border plant where you might need low ground cover to fill a space.
So , if you ’re look fora flowering soil coverthat is both beautiful and easy to grow , depend no further !
What You’ll Learn
Cultivation and Historical use
creep phlox , P. stolonifera , and moss phlox , P. subulata , are both perennials originating from North America , and both are firm ducky among gardeners .
And clearly , gardeners are n’t the only fans of this industrial plant . aboriginal Americans even named April ’s full moon – the “ Full Pink Moon ” – after the peak , heralding the arrival of the swathes of purple and pinkish which , as early bloomers , stand for the beginning of spring .
The reverberance of this works is even meditate in its name – the genus name phlox is derived from the Hellenic word intend “ fire , ” refer to the intense colour of its flowers .
Phlox stolonifera vs. Phlox subulata
When I was first research this plant , I sustain a fleck confused as to which phlox species was the “ rightful ” creeping phlox . I found that , technically utter , P. stoloniferais a “ creeping phlox ” andP. subulatais a “ moss phlox . ” But that thanks to the fact that both species are signally similar , both in appearing and in biota , the two plebeian names are often used interchangeably .
Both are semi - evergreen ground cover plant life that bloom with beautiful flowers in spring . That being say , there are a few notable difference between the two .
For instance , P. subulataonly reaches a height of around 6 inches , whereasP. stoloniferacan develop to around three-fold that .
P. subulataalso has much more phonograph needle - comparable farewell , wheresP. stoloniferahas more of a mixed leaf .
However , the main departure between the two is that , whilstP. stoloniferatolerates partial shade , P. subulatais very much a Lord’s Day - seeker ( I can empathize with this ) , and soonly expand in full sunshine .
Both are such similar plants that they are often broken . If I really had to choose between the two , I ’d sayP. subulatamight just about win out as a priming coat cover song , thanks to that fact that it ’s shorter and run to bloom more thickly . But both options can bestow smasher to the garden , when constitute under the right condition .
An Easygoing but Disorderly Ground Cover
Both phlox metal money are not in particular grouchy , although they prefer well drain , humus - fat filth .
grow only 3 - 8 inches tall ( 7 - 20 centimetre ) , but spread as wide as 9 column inch up to 2 foot ( 22 - 60 centimeters ) , creeping phlox is an idealistic flat coat blanket and fellow plant .
Although it is perfectly at household on categorical land , to appreciate this plant life in all its colorful halo , it might be best to place it on a slope , where the blooms can be decent seen and enjoyed .
Slopes also provide an ideal home for phlox for two other reasons :
1 . It tends to favor well - drained land .
2 . It ’s well love for avail to prevent eating away , making it perfect for raise in more sensitive country like slopes .
It ’s alsotolerant of black walnutsand other Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree containing juglone .
There is one thing to determine out for when planting . As the name suggests , this is a plant that cringe , and it is a very successful creeper at that .
For some gardeners , this is ideal – it isa repeated plantthat will spread to cross every column inch of empty space . But if you ’re the eccentric of nurseryman that preferswell comport and neat plants , this might not be the best one for you .
Pick your Phlox
With so many varieties to choose from , there ’s no doubt that you’re able to find the right variety to fit your tastes and your garden .
mostly very hardy and adaptable plants , the most important consideration is probably colour . With a multifariousness of vivacious shades of pinkish , imperial , and blue to prefer from , this can be a tough conclusion .
Named after the Appalachian Mountain ranges from which the plant originates , two of the most common varieties ofP. stoloniferaare ‘ Blue Ridge ’ and ‘ Pink Ridge . ’ There is also a white variety called ‘ Bruce ’s White ’ that ’s democratic among nurseryman , named after the wildflower enthusiast Bruce Chin .
‘ Candy Stripe ’ mouse Phlox Plant
If you ’re into pink like I am , I advocate a beautiful type of vibrant stripy ‘ Candy Stripe’P. subulatawhich you canpurchase from Burpee .
‘ Snowflake ’ Phlox
Or for something more frail , check out the ‘ Plectrophenax nivalis ’ change , uncommitted from Nature Hills Nursery .
How to Ensure an Influx of Phlox
It ’s well-off to growP. stoloniferaandP. subulatafrom seed , cut , and transplants .
From semen , the master thing to remember is to use a potting medium with good drainage , rather make up of perlite and coarse George Sand granules . It ’s ripe to seed them about 2 month before the last frost date . Once the plant lead off to emerge , it ’s important to give them enough sunlight – around 12 minute a twenty-four hour period .
However , it is probably easy to grow from slip or transplants than it is from seeds . Luckily , this plant can be found easily in baby’s room , or you may be capable to take some cut from a champion .
Because of its cushy nature , this flora will happily take to the soil in both spring and fall .
The main thing to keep in mind is the planting length , with a recommended spatial arrangement of around 15 to 18 inches between each .
Creeping phlox , as the name suggests , cringe along the ground and spreads with recollective , leggy runners . It ’s best to plant in staggered rows , allow enough room for each works to interest the infinite around it .
There ’s nothing too complicated or proficient about planting – just essay to keep the top of the root ballock level with the terra firma , be certain to give each plant a good first surcharge to settle it into its fresh home , and you should be estimable to go .
Growing Tips
P. stoloniferaandP. subulataare adaptable and versatile plants which , when situated in the right blank space with the ripe amount of sun exposure , will thrive without any special care .
There are , however , a few thing you’re able to do to aid these flower along .
BothP. stoloniferaandP. subulatatake kindly to either a late winter or other spring feeding with a dense release fertilizer or constituent flora solid food , which serve promote impregnable and vigorous growth .
Do n’t leave : it does n’t care doughy territory , so more often than not talk , it ’s respectable to keep lachrymation to a lower limit .
Of course , even when well established , phlox benefits from an extra watering during especially hot summers , or if you exist somewhere that getsan norm of less than 1 inch of rainper week .
Maintenance
Although not strictly necessary , a mo of cut back from time to fourth dimension does this plant some good .
Stems can be cut back at a couple of different time throughout the yr : once after bloom to encourage a second bloom , with an periodic wintertime slice - back to keep the plant well-chosen , sizeable , and raring to go , ready for the following springtime .
Cutting the stems back like this also encourages their naturally long growing to become shorter and woodier , creating more dense flowering .
Propagation
Creeping phlox is promiscuous to propagate through section , stem turn cutting , or rooted stem .
Cuttings , if done right , are a in particular easy pick to circularize , as they root easily after a few month .
All you need to do is cut a roughly 6 - column inch - foresightful plane section , either from a frozen stem or a lateral shoot near the tip . verify there ’s at least one foliage and no flush on the cutting . Always make cutting with a clean , penetrating tool to prevent contagion .
cringe phlox root so well that it does n’t even require rootle endocrine , although this production will avail speed along the mental process if you ’re lancinating to ensure succeeder . Just position the cuttings in a pot mix with good drain , using perlite and/or coarse sand , and you ’re good to go .
One thing to bear in mind is timing , which is everything with this plant . It ’s recommended to take cutting in spring or autumn , although it seems to take ascendant particularly well in autumn after it has flowered .
you may also propagateP. stoloniferaandP. subulataeasily through division . It is estimable to divide in other descent when temperature are cool . It ’s recommended to separate this industrial plant once every few age to keep it healthy , particularly if it seems to be blossom less than usual .
solution cutting should be direct just before the reaching of new spring shoot . ascendent cuttings of around 1.5 inch should do the caper , and they should be to the full inserted into firmed compost , taking care that the end furthest from the root bakshis is facing up .
Top bakshis : when take root cuttings , you’re able to snick the top of the cuttings to indicate which end is which , to check that you do n’t get mixed up .
Managing Pests and Diseases
This beautiful bloomer can be a bit susceptible to mites . To hold back any job from “ creeping ” up on you , it is significant to play fast , as shortly as you pick out mark of worry .
This can commonly be easily achieved by using an constituent insecticidal goop .
In moist conditions , P. stoloniferaandP. subulatacan alsosuffer from powdery mildew . The proficient way to ensure that this is n’t a job is to keep lacrimation to a lower limit , although this can also be quite effectively prevented via periodic pruning to promote good melody circulation .
Creeping Phlox Quick Reference Growing Guide
Time to Get Growing!
With its vibrant bloom and easygoing nature , there is no doubt that this beautiful perennial will apace creep its way into both your garden and your heart , whichever species you choose !
Whether you ’re planting it to cover a slope , draw pollinators to your yard , or to bestow a splash of vivacious colour to a part suspicious niche , that ’s a cultivar that ’s up to the chore . And with little maintenance required , you ’ll be glad you chose these beautiful rosiness .
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . Product photos via Nature Hills Nursery and Dogwooderitternet . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock . With additional writing and editing by Allison Sidhu .
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Natasha Foote
