Are you looking for a colorful and low-maintenance ground cover to add to your garden? Look no further than phlox!
With its vibrant blooms and ability to spread and form a thick carpet of foliage, phlox is a popular choice for gardeners looking to add some color and texture to their landscape.
In this article, we’ll explore the different types of phlox that make great ground covers, their unique characteristics, and how to care for them.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, phlox is a versatile and easy-to-grow plant that is sure to impress.
So let’s dive in and discover the beauty of phlox as a ground cover!
Is Phlox A Ground Cover
Yes, phlox is a ground cover! In fact, it is one of the most popular and colorful ground covers available.
There are two main types of phlox that make great ground covers: creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) and moss phlox (Phlox stolonifera). Both of these varieties are low-growing and spread easily, forming a thick carpet of foliage that is covered in vibrant blooms in the spring.
Creeping phlox is particularly stunning when allowed to drape over a rock wall or planted on slopes where it can spill over the edge. It grows best in well-drained soil and partial to full sun. Some popular varieties include ‘Candy Stripe’ with pink-and-white striped flowers and ‘Emerald Blue’ with lilac-blue flowers.
Moss phlox, on the other hand, prefers a shadier growing site with rich, evenly-moist soil. It blooms in late spring to summer with clusters of fragrant, five-petal flowers that stretch almost an inch across. Some popular varieties include ‘Sherwood Purple’ with purplish-pink flowers and ‘Chattahoochee’ with beautiful blue-to-violet flowers.
Different Types Of Phlox For Ground Cover
If you’re looking for a colorful and low-maintenance ground cover, phlox is an excellent choice. Here are some different types of phlox that work well as ground covers:
1. Angelina Phlox (Phlox ‘Paparazzi Angelina’): This hybrid variety has lavender-pink flowers that bloom for weeks in the spring and early summer. It grows to about 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
2. Britney Creeping Phlox (Phlox ‘Paparazzi Britney’): This hybrid variety has big pink flowers that bloom all spring on a mounding plant that grows up to 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide.
3. Candystripe Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata ‘Candystripe’): This quick-growing spreader forms a dense mat of white flowers with broad pink stripes. It grows just 6 inches tall, making it perfect for slopes, rock gardens, and border edges.
4. Crimson Beauty Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata ‘Crimson Beauty’): Bursting into bloom in early spring, this variety forms a carpet of beautiful crimson flowers. It grows 6 inches tall and makes an excellent ground cover in sunny locations.
5. Drummond’s Pink Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata ‘Drummond’s Pink’): The dark evergreen foliage of this variety provides a stark contrast to the bright pink flowers that bloom in the spring. It grows 4 to 6 inches tall and pairs well with spring-flowering bulbs.
6. Emerald Blue Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata ‘Emerald Blue’): This fast-growing variety develops masses of deep blue blooms in the early spring and has needle-like evergreen foliage that provides a textural accent when not in bloom. It grows 6 inches tall.
7. Fort Hill Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata ‘Fort Hill’): This vigorous performer grows 6 inches tall and produces spectacular pinkish-rose flowers every spring, quickly scrambling over bare spots in your garden.
8. Jagger Creeping Phlox (Phlox ‘Paparazzi Jagger’): This new generation of creeping phlox has rich purple flowers and a compact mounding shape that grows up to 12 inches tall and wide.
9. Purple Beauty Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata ‘Purple Beauty’): The lightly fragrant deep purple flowers of this hardy ground cover make it a top pick for sunny borders. It grows 4 to 6 inches tall.
10. Red Wing Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata ‘Red Wing’): This variety has crimson flowers with darker centers that look stunning when planted along a bed or walkway. It grows 6 inches tall but will slowly spread up to 3 feet wide.
11. Ronsdorfer Beauty Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata ‘Ronsdorfer Beauty’): In the spring, this compact plant is smothered in bright pink flowers with a red eye, making it an excellent choice for creating a welcome mat of blooms in your garden.
Whether you choose creeping phlox or moss phlox, there are plenty of varieties available that will add color and texture to your garden while also serving as a low-maintenance ground cover.
Characteristics Of Phlox As A Ground Cover
Phlox is an excellent ground cover for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it is incredibly versatile, able to thrive in a range of growing conditions. Creeping phlox, for example, can be planted in rock gardens, pathways, pollinator gardens, and more. Moss phlox, on the other hand, is a great addition to woodland gardens or used as edging for flower beds.
Both types of phlox are low-growing and spread easily, forming a thick carpet of foliage that is covered in vibrant blooms in the spring. Creeping phlox grows to be 4-6 inches thick and produces a carpet of color when in bloom. Moss phlox grows to be about a foot tall and produces clusters of fragrant flowers.
Phlox is also incredibly easy to care for once it is established. It is drought tolerant and can handle light foot traffic, making it a great option for areas where people will be walking or playing. Additionally, it is deer and rabbit resistant, so you don’t have to worry about these animals munching on your plants.
How To Plant Phlox As A Ground Cover
Planting phlox as a ground cover is a great way to add color and texture to your garden. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Choose the right location: Phlox prefers well-drained soil and partial to full sun. Creeping phlox can also be planted on slopes where it can spill over the edge. Moss phlox prefers a shadier growing site with rich, evenly-moist soil.
2. Prepare the soil: Make sure the soil is well-drained and has good organic matter before planting. Add compost or peat moss to the garden to improve drainage and create a better overall environment.
3. Dig the holes: Dig holes that are about the same size as the container the phlox came in, and make sure they are spaced about 2 feet apart for creeping phlox and 18 inches apart for moss phlox.
4. Plant the phlox: Gently remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole. Make sure it is planted at the same soil depth as it was in its container. Planting the top of the root ball too deeply may cause the plant to rot.
5. Water the plants: Water the plant until it is established, making sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
6. Add organic soil amendments: Dig in some organic soil amendments to enrich the soil and provide nutrients for the plants.
7. Trim back once a year: If desired, you can trim back creeping phlox once a year to keep it looking neat and tidy.
By following these steps, you can successfully plant phlox as a ground cover in your garden and enjoy its beautiful blooms for years to come.
Tips For Caring For Phlox As A Ground Cover
If you have decided to use phlox as a ground cover, there are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure that your plants thrive and look their best.
Firstly, phlox is a fairly low-maintenance plant. It requires watering if you have a week or two without rainfall, along with an annual feeding. 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.
However, it is important to manage weeds early in the spring before the phlox blooms and its foliage is at its fullest. Hand-pulling is the most effective method for removing weeds. If you let the weeds get out of control, it might be easiest to dig up the phlox (keeping its roots intact), clear the area of grass and weeds, and then replant the phlox.
Phlox prefers well-drained soil with full sun, although creeping phlox can tolerate partial shade. Make sure to check your variety’s spacing needs, and be sure to choose a location that has good drainage. Consider amending your soil to improve water flow for your phlox. Consistent, well-draining soil will make watering easier, and prevent the roots of your plant from becoming too compacted or wet.
Water your creeping phlox immediately after planting, moistening the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Keep the soil lightly moist for about a month, or until the plant is established and new growth appears.
Annual pruning of both creeping and moss phlox will ensure abundant blooms every spring, as well as help to keep disease at bay. As blooms fade, deadhead leggy flowering stems to encourage their renewal.
Lastly, remember that both varieties of phlox form clumps that will gradually increase and join together to form one large grouping of phlox, with the creeping variety creating a mat or carpet. So give these plants lots of room for air circulation to limit the appearance of mildew.
Other Uses For Phlox In Your Garden
Aside from being a beautiful ground cover, phlox has many other uses in your garden. Here are some ideas:
1. Perennial beds: Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) is a popular choice for perennial beds, especially in cottage gardens. Its tall, showy blooms add vertical interest and come in a wide range of colors, from white to pink to purple. Some popular varieties include ‘David’ with pure white flowers and ‘Bright Eyes’ with pink-and-white bicolor flowers.
2. Cut flowers: Garden phlox also makes a great cut flower for home decor. Its fragrant blooms can last up to two weeks in a vase with proper care.
3. Butterfly and hummingbird gardens: Creeping phlox is a great choice for butterfly and hummingbird gardens because its fragrant flowers attract these pollinators. Garden phlox also attracts butterflies and bees.
4. Borders: Creeping phlox can be used as a border plant to define the edges of a garden or pathway. Its low-growing habit creates a neat and tidy appearance.
5. Erosion control: Creeping phlox is an excellent choice for erosion control on slopes because its spreading habit helps to stabilize the soil.
6. Rock gardens: Aubrieta deltoidea (Rock Cress) and moss phlox (Phlox stolonifera) are both great choices for rock gardens because they thrive in well-drained soil and can tolerate some drought.
7. Pollinator gardens: Phlox plants are important host plants for butterflies and moths. By planting phlox in your garden, you can help support these important pollinators.
Overall, phlox is a versatile plant that can be used in many different ways in your garden. Whether you’re looking for a ground cover, a border plant, or a cut flower, there’s a phlox variety that will fit your needs.
