Moss Phlox is like a living carpet, transforming the garden into a sea of colors in spring. A quiet, yet powerful reminder that even the smallest plants can have the greatest impact.
Name:
German: Polster-Phlox
English: Moss Phlox
Latin: Phlox subulata
Plant Group / Family:
Family: Polemoniaceae (Phlox Family)
Subgroup: Phlox
Distribution:
Native origin: North America
Current distribution: Widely spread in temperate regions, commonly found in gardens as a ground cover
Identification:
Height: 10-15 cm
Leaves: Small, needle-like, evergreen, and low to the ground
Flowers: Small, star-shaped flowers in dense mats, available in various colors such as pink, white, purple, and blue
Fruit: Small seed capsules
Bark/Stem: Low-growing, branched stems that form dense carpets
Uses:
Medicinal: None
Culinary: None
Decorative: Very popular as a ground cover in rock gardens, borders, and slopes. Often used to provide vibrant spring color and suppress weeds.
Other: Perfect for garden design in rocky, dry soils and slopes. Provides colorful coverage and attracts pollinators such as butterflies.
Toxicity:
Toxic Parts: None
Symptoms: None
First Aid: –
Look-alike Species:
Similar Plants: Phlox paniculata (Tall Phlox)
Differences: Phlox paniculata grows upright and can reach heights of up to 120 cm, while Phlox subulata grows low to the ground, forming a dense carpet.
Additional Information:
Care: Prefers well-drained, dry soils and requires minimal maintenance.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, ideal for dry and rocky sites.
Special Notes: Moss Phlox is evergreen and provides year-round structure and color in the garden. It spreads quickly and can serve as a ground cover to suppress weeds.