Phlox

This family consists of many of my favorites and I hope yours as well.

Probably the two best known are creeping (subulata) and tall garden(paniculata. However, other forms do exist and are worthy of adding to anyone’s choice selection of perennials.

During our visit in July of 2006 to the beautiful state of Oregon, I stood on the rim of Crater lake with its intense blue water, and all around me the alpine landscape was still covered in snow.

While looking down at the water on the western rim I was delighted to find in full bloom pink creeping phlox and pasque flower. What a beautiful display of color and form these two were offering to any tourist willing to stop and look.

So why not consider adding this plant to your landscape?

Use it as a ground cover or for an interesting front row feature in the perennial bed. It even has a well deserved place in trough, rock and alpine gardens.

Most varieties grow only 4 to 6” in height and are hardy into zone 3.

The foliage is evergreen and early spring flower colors are a delight in shades of white, pink, blue, two-toned white and pink, blue-lavender and red.

Creeping, tall garden and divaricata are best suited for sunny locations but be sure to plant the woodland variety where it will have full to partial shade.