This type of creeping phlox also provides good erosion control when it is planted along stream banks. Cut through the center of the plant and through the roots with a sharp soil knife or even a spade. The stems are normally cut back after flowering to promote a second bloom. Trim back overgrown stems that reach above the main mat of the plant to maintain its ground-hugging growth habit. The half-hardy annual group are useful as bedding plants and for growing in containers. Phlox stolonifera prefers a more acidic soil, while Phlox subulata grows well in moderately acidic to slightly alkaline soil with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0, according to Wilson Bros Gardens. Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera and Phlox subulata) are masses of spring flowering ground covers that offer carpets of lavender, pink, red or white in the spring and emerald green in summer. Prune the edges of the mat of creeping phlox in late winter, cutting it back to the desired width. Cut it Back Deadheading -- removing old flowers -- prevents seed formation, which encourages some phlox varieties to put forth new growth and new flowers. Pruning early in the season cuts the chances that your phlox plants will develop powdery mildew. Want to know which tools are the best for each gardening task? If the root ball is stuck in the container use snips to cut the container away. It would quickly turn black if left on the plant. Phlox stolonifera, commonly called creeping phlox, is a spreading, mat-forming phlox which is native to wooded areas and stream banks in the Appalachian Mountains. Pruning of both types of creeping phlox will encourage better bloom production, especially in the next year. Download the Horticulture Smart Gardening Guides: Q&A for Every Season for instant access to a wealth of gardening advice and techniques. Rejuvenation pruning should be performed at least every two to three years. Flowers cover the evergreen needle-like foliage in late spring. Karen Gardner spent many years as a home and garden writer and editor, and she is now a freelance writer. All you need to do is cut a roughly 6-inch-long section, either from a rooted stem or a … Creeping phlox is a familiar spring-blooming creeping plant that is frequently seen in rock gardens, growing from crevices in stone walls, or planted as a ground cover to blanket areas of the ground. Creeping phlox, Phlox subulata, is a stunning low-growing perennial that creates a striking carpet full of 5-petaled blooms in radiant hues of reds, purples, blues, pinks and whites in late April and May. When I try to pull it out, the phlox is torn. To maintain healthy Creeping Phlox, better known as Thrift, pruning and fertilization are usually necessary. Need a bold shot of color to herald spring's arrival? After blooming is also a good time to divide phlox. • Amount: Using garden shears, cut back the plant by a third or half. You want to make sure there are no buds left to open before you begin this process. This phlox flowers from late spring to early summer. With the right amount of water, lots of sun and summer pruning, your creeping phlox will stand out in the garden as an intriguing, beautiful and thriving groundcover. You'll learn of the varied garden uses of phlox and information on keeping them healthy and attractive for years.. Transcript In the Smart Gardening Techniques: Summer Tasks, you can learn an abundance of helpful tasks to help your summer garden thrive beautifully. Typically reaching a mere height of 6 inches, but often spreading to 2 feet, it is a great choice for a groundcover. New growth makes up the top layer of creeping phlox. Moss phlox does well in full sun, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Discover what, when, where an how to prune for a spectacular, well-kept garden in Cass Turnbull’s Guide to Pruning. Start to cut back flowering stems once half the blooms are spent. Cut the other stems out at the base with bypass pruners. Care of creeping phlox also includes cutting the plant back in late winter/early spring prior to new growth to allow for rejuvenation and to produce young, more compact stems. Creeping phlox remains evergreen so it never requires trimming in fall. Pruning will also help the plant to better spread. Pruning is a vital part of caring for your creeping phlox. Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera) – These have evergreen foliage so just clean up the foliage after it blooms in the spring. Work the soil with the garden spade down to a depth of approximately 12 inches. The Creeping Phlox that I planted last spring to flow over the old retaining wall, exploded in glorious color this year! Phlox stolonifera is the taller version of creeping phlox, growing up to 1 foot tall, while moss phlox typically tops out at about 6 inches of height. Perennial phlox will grow back year after year but it is best, right after the first frost spells, to cut the foliage short. Then try to gently remove the plant from its container. She also enjoys spending time in her garden, each year resolving not to let the weeds overtake them. Both creeping phlox and tall garden phlox are favorites in flower beds. A. On the other hand, pruning can make the leaves grow denser. • How often: Make sure to repeat this gardening task annually after each spring blooming season. Creeping phlox is a stunning ground cover that adds color and beauty to your garden while checking weed growth and repelling pests. How to Space Creeping Phlox. Unfortunately, both types can be prone to diseases and pests that can discourage gardeners from growing the charming plants. Both types of creeping phlox can withstand some foot traffic. Pruning and deadheading: Phlox doesn’t normally require pruning, but if you want to delay blooming and get bushier plants with more flower heads, pinch or cut back the stems by one-third to one-half in early summer. North Carolina State University Extension: Phlox stolonifera, Mississippi State University Extension: Moss Phlox, Wilson Bros Garden: How to Plant, Prune, Fertilize, Water & Care for Creeping Phlox Plants, Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscape: Creeping Phlox, Missouri Botanical Garden: Phlox stolonifera. Phlox has always sounded such a funny name to me – like a group of sheep – but it is a plant which offers far more colour and is a darned sight easier to look after. Cut phlox subulata back by one-third to one-half of its height after the first flush of blooms fade in late spring. These perennials should be pruned back some time after they stop blooming, to help maintain the form you prefer, encourage lush growth and also to reduce the chances of pest problems. The stems are normally cut back after flowering to promote a second bloom. Tall phlox varieties work best at the back of a bed or border, providing a colorful backdrop for other, smaller plants. Protect with a fair layer of dead leaf mulch. Cuttings, if done right, are a particularly easy option to propagate, as they root easily after a few months. Care of creeping phlox also includes cutting the plant back in late winter/early spring prior to new growth to allow for rejuvenation and to produce young, more compact stems. Use a weed trimmer or hedge shears. The Best Low-Growing Ground Cover Between Patios. Both plants prefer well-drained soil, but they will also grow well in soils with lots of sand or gravel. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Prune out dead or damaged portions of creeping phlox at any time of year. Each spring, put a thin layer of compost and a 2-inch layer of mulch around the plants to help keep the soil moist and control weeds. 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