Phlox is one of America’s great native perennials, and we love the vibrant early-season color Spring Phlox brings to the garden. And with that amazing color comes an important nectar source; these versatile plants support swallowtail butterflies, day-flying sphinx moths (including hummingbird and clearwing moths), and hummingbirds.
With several types of Spring Phlox available, how do you know which one is right for your garden? Let’s break it down.
Shady Characters
Woodland Phlox, or Phlox divaricata, is a perennial indigenous to rich deciduous woodlands, stream banks, and open forests. We are particularly enchanted by the cultivar ‘Blue Moon’ because of its compact growth, beautiful fragrance and large deep blue-lavender flowers. It was a top performer in Mt. Cuba’s Woodland Phlox trial and blooms starting in early to mid-spring for about a month.
Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera) is indigenous to rich woodlands, stream banks, open woods and shaded slopes in the Appalachian Mountains. It flourishes in bright or dappled shade with rich, moist well-drained soil. Fragrant blooms begin in mid-spring and continue blooming until early summer. Its foliage eventually forms a dense patch that is very effective in shading out weeds. We offer Phlox stolonifera ‘Pink Ridge’ and ‘Sherwood Purple’ which were both top performers in Mt Cuba’s Creeping Phlox trial garden.
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Moss Phlox, or Phlox subulata, is a mat forming perennial wildflower with evergreen needle-like leaves and thrives in full sun with very well-drained soil. In spring, the foliage is completely covered by masses of starry flowers in either pink, blue, purple or white and continues until early summer. As old stems age, they become woody and tend to lose foliage, so shear after flowering to promote new growth.
Companion Planting with Spring Phlox
Pairing Spring Phlox with the right companion plants not only enhances overall beauty but also helps to support a thriving garden ecosystem. Whether in shade or sun, these combinations create dynamic plant communities that provide continuous seasonal interest and vital habitat for pollinators. Round out your landscape with these terrific perennial choices.
Woodland Phlox and Creeping Phlox pair beautifully with shade loving companions like Aquilegia canadensis, Asarum canadensis, Carex appalachica, Dryopteris marginalis, Tiarella cordifolia and Polystichum acrosticoides. Meanwhile, sun-loving Moss Phlox thrives alongside Amsonia hubrichtii, Echinacea, Nepeta, Sporobolus heterolepis and around spring bulbs. We’re always here to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out to stop in with any questions about what would work best in your landscape!
