Introducing...
Specialist phlox
Often diminutive, these phlox fall into two groups with specific needs, preferring either a sunny rock garden or a bed in cool dappled shade. In a nutshell, they like either alpine conditions or woodlands.
Looks
Often forming low, sometimes evergreen, cushions of foliage or tumbling cascades, these phlox have sheets of flowers. These are rounded white, pink or purple, often scented, and appear in loose clusters that can cover the plant. Heights range between 7.5-30cm (3in-1ft).
Likes
The plants in this group need either gritty, sharply-drained soil in full sun (including Phlox adsurgens, P. caespitosa and P. douglasii) and or cool, moist soil in light shade (P. divaricata).
Dislikes
The pholx that like well-draining soils, resent their roots being waterlogged in winter. Several species, like P. stolonifera that like moist conditions also need a soil with acidic pH (so typically pH5.5-6.5).
Did you know?
Many rock garden phlox, such as P. caespitosa like sharp drainage and can be successfully grown in containers in an unheated greenhouse, which shelters them from excessive rainfall.
Growing guide
How to grow specialist phlox
All the information you’ll need to grow and care for specialist phlox in your garden.
Specialist phlox we recommend
Phlox douglasii 'Boothman's Variety'
phlox 'Boothman's Variety'
- Up to 10cm
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Phlox subulata 'McDaniel's Cushion'
moss phlox 'McDaniel's Cushion'
- Up to 10cm
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Phlox douglasii 'Red Admiral'
phlox 'Red Admiral'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Phlox douglasii 'Boothman's Variety'
phlox 'Boothman's Variety'
- Up to 10cm
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Phlox subulata 'McDaniel's Cushion'
moss phlox 'McDaniel's Cushion'
- Up to 10cm
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Phlox douglasii 'Red Admiral'
phlox 'Red Admiral'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Useful advice
Rock gardening
Rock gardens: plants
Sink and trough gardening
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