Species creeping phlox
purple, star-like, large flowers with green, shiny, slender stems, and round, shiny, green leaves

creeping phlox

Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple'

Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple') is a low-growing, spreading evergreen. Its purple and light-purple short-stemmed star-shaped flowers bloom in early spring. Its mat-forming habit and needle-like foliage add great texture and beauty to the garden. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It is drought and deer tolerant, disease-resistant and easy to grow. It prefers cool summers and tolerates light shade. It needs well-draining soil but can tolerate moderate to heavy shade. Its maintenance is minimal, making it a great choice for landscaping and containers.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Layering Propagation,Stem Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

2 - 8

Flowers:

Purplish blue Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,purple

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Easy

watering

Creeping Phlox should be watered once per week, and each watering session should last about 20 minutes. During the hottest months of the year (July and August), water the plant a bit more frequently, approximately every 5-6 days, or if the soil feels especially dry. Make sure to water the soil evenly and deeply, so that the water can reach the roots below the surface. When in doubt, it's always better to err on the side of too much water, as these plants prefer soil that is consistently moist, but not soggy.

sunlight

Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple') does best when planted in locations that receive full sun for at least 6 hours each day. Early morning sunlight is particularly beneficial, as the leaves can suffer from sunburn in the intense afternoon sun. During the hottest summer months, plant creeping phlox in a spot that gets some relief from the intensity of the sun’s rays by late afternoon.

pruning

Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple') should be pruned annually to promote healthy growth and blooms. The best time for pruning is late winter or early spring before the new growth starts. It is important not to prune too early while the plant is still dormant, as the late frost may damage any cutting. To prune, use a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears to remove any dead or diseased foliage and branches. Prune away any crossing branches and suckers to increase air circulation and promote growth of dense foliage. After the removal of any brown or dead growth, shape the foliage as desired by pruning old shoots and soft, new shoots. Reduce the height of the plant if needed by approximately 1-third, removing the tallest stems at the center of the plant. Finish the pruning by lightly trimming the tips of the stems to give the plant a neat and attractive appearance.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Creeping phlox typically starts flowering in late March or early April.

Hardiness Map