Phlox subulata

RHS Plant Profile
moss phlox

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Phlox subulata?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
moss phlox visionspictures.com
moss phlox visionspictures.com

Other common names

flowering moss, ground pink, moss pink, mountain pink, rock phlox

Synonyms

Phlox setacea

Alpine Rockery

A prostrate, mat-forming evergreen alpine with fine, green needle-like leaves and star-shaped blue, purple, pink or white flowers in spring and summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Polemoniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Phlox may be evergreen or herbaceous, mat-forming or erect perennials or shrubs, with simple leaves and salver-shaped flowers in terminal clusters
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
E & C USA, Canada

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist soil in full sun or partial shade. See phlox cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Rock garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Hanging Basket
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to stem and bulb eelworm

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews and leaf spot