Emerald blue creeping phlox, scientifically known as Phlox subulata, has bright blue-lavender flowers that almost look purple. Many gardeners consider it one of the best ground cover plants when used as a border or ground cover to fill in rock and flower gardens. It grows to 6 inches in height and will spread to about 3 inches from the center. It will flower most of the spring and into summer. It is tolerant of cold in USDA zones 2 to 9 and salt tolerant making it a good choice for coastal areas. It is deer resistant but rabbits quite like the taste of creeping phlox.
Ground cover for full sunPlant in full sun about 3 to 6 inches apart. Although it can grow well in some shade, you will get more flowers if planted in full sun. Don't plant tall growing bushes in the same area that will eventually shade your creeping phlox.
Water at lease weekly. During warmer months you may need to water more often. If your phlox is looking wilted, it needs more watering.
Pull weeds by hand around the creeping phlox. Until it's established, weeds can easily take over and prevent your phlox from taking off as a ground cover.
Fertilize with a general purpose fertilizer in the spring just before just before it starts to grow again. Once the weather warms it's time to fertilize.
Prune as needed after the summer flowers have died off. You only need to cut back as much as you need to keep it growing within its borders. This will result in thicker foliage and encourage it to bloom again.
Creeping phlox flowers look like stars and come in a variety of colors, including white, purple, and pink, sometimes called moss pink.
Spider mites are a pest for this plant.
You can propagate by division.
Each plant will grow up to 24 inches in height and 36 inches wide.
There are 61 different species of phlox.
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