Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox, Moss Pink)

Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox, Moss Pink)

Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox, Moss-pink) flowers in April

Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox, Moss-pink) 'Candy Stripe' flowers in April

Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox, Moss-pink) in residential landscape in April.

Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox, Moss-pink) in residential landscape in May.

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The creeping habit of Moss Phlox can form a carpet of spring flowers as breathtaking in a residential rock garden or sprawling over rock walls as on the mountain slopes and open woodlands of its natural Mid-Atlantic* habitat. Its epithet and common name refer to its leaves–”awl-shaped” and resembling a moss-like mat, respectively. Ground Cover Height: 1⁄4–1⁄2 foot Characteristics Flowers En Masse and Close-up,** Foliage Spread: 1–2 feet Bloom Color: White, pink or rose with darker eye Mat-forming, evergreen, herbaceous perennial Linear, needle-like, evergreen leaves crowded on stem Fragrant, tubular flowers w/ 5 notched lobes & pubescent calyxes in terminal clusters (cymes) March to June Inconspicuous seed capsules Prostrate pubescent stems branch freely and can root at the nodes; reseeds in optimum conditions Attributes Tolerates stony soil, sandy soil, dry soil, drought, dappled p.m. shade, erosion, air pollution, and salt No serious pests (although spider mites may appear during hot/dry weather and foliar nematodes during wet/humid weather) or diseases Deer seldom damage but rabbits may eat foliage Many vibrantly colored cultivars available Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Well-drained, neutral–slightly basic Light Requirements: Sun Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Cut stems by half after flowering to encourage denser growth and potential rebloom Use in borders and rock gardens and naturalized as ground cover and for erosion control Excellent Replacement for Ficaria verna - Fig Buttercup Ornithogalum species - Star of Bethlehem Ranunculus ficaria - Lesser Celandine Vinca minor - Periwinkle *Native to parts of MD and PA. In VA, it is locally frequent in the mountains (except far southwest) and infrequent in the Piedmont. In NoVA, it is native to Fairfax County. **Cultivars ‘Candy Stripe’ and ‘Emerald Blue.’ Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Tyler Ormsby (top), Arlington, VA, by Mary Free, Shade Garden, and by Elaine Mills (foliage), U.S. National Arboretum

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox, Moss-pink)

The creeping habit of Moss Phlox can form a carpet of spring flowers as breathtaking in a residential rock garden or sprawling over rock walls as on the mountain slopes and open woodlands of its natural Mid-Atlantic* habitat. Its epithet and common name refer to its leaves–“awl-shaped” and resembling a moss-like mat, respectively.

**Native to parts of MD and PA. In VA, it is locally frequent in the mountains (except far southwest) and infrequent in the Piedmont. In NoVA, it is native to Fairfax County.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants:
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets

Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox, Moss Pink)

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic

Print Version (Legal Size):Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox, Moss-pink)

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

Print Version (Legal Size):
Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox, Moss-pink)