Phlox subulata

RHS Plant Profile

moss phlox

Other common names

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

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
Low Maintenance
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