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Phlox subulata - L.

Common Name Moss phlox
Family Polemoniaceae
USDA hardiness 4-9
Known Hazards None Known
Habitats Indigenous to rocky and sandy barrens, savannas, rocky ledges, slopes, clearings and disturbed sites.
Range Native to eastern and central USA, and widely cultivated.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Phlox subulata Moss phlox


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Phlox subulata Moss phlox
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Phlox subulata is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. subulata var. subulata. P. subulata f. subulata

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None Known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

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Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

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PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
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PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

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Other Uses

Soil conditioner  Soil stabilization

A great high density groundcover. As a long- lived perennial with fibrous roots it may be good for soil building and erosion control [318-1].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Ground Cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Herbaceous mat forming perennial wildflower. A very colourful, vigorous groundcover for full sun or partial shade. Poor soil tolerant. USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 9. very hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -20 °C (-4 °F). Soil pH: 5.0 - 8.0. Soil Type: Sandy, Loamy. Soil Moisture: Moderate, Dry. Growth Rate: Moderate. Life Span: Long-Lived Perennial. Stand Persistence: Long. Form: Prostrate. Texture: Fine. Minimum Root Depth: 14 inches. Drought: Tolerant. Flood: Intolerant. Salt: Intolerant. Soil Compaction: Moderate. Fire Damage: Tolerant. Cold Injury: Infrequent. Wind Storm Damage: Infrequent. Disease Issues: Minor. Insect/Pest Damage: Minor. Root Type: Fibrous Deep. Seasonal Interest: Spring. Used in borders, edgings, foundations and walls. Semi evergreen. Fruit Type: Capsule. Flower Color: Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, White. Bloom Time: Spring - Late Spring. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. Evergreen. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed, division or by cuttings.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Creeping Phlox, Moss Phlox, Moss Pink, Mountain Phlox

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Ontario (south), United States, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan (s.e. possibly), New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (south), Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Kentucky (east), Maryland (west), North Carolina (west), Tennessee, Virginia (west),

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Phlox divaricataWild blue phloxPerennial0.5 4-9 MLMFSNM003
Phlox nivalisPine phlox, Trailing phloxPerennial0.3 6-9 MLMSNDM003
Phlox paniculataGarden Phlox, Fall phlox, Perennial Phlox, Tall Phlox, Summer PhloxPerennial1.2 4-9 MLMHSNM00 
Phlox stoloniferaCreeping phloxPerennial0.3 4-9 MLMHFSNM003

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

L.

Botanical References

Links / References

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