Sun-Loving Spring Perennials
This week, we’re continuing our companion planting series by taking a look at two sun-loving perennials: the low-growing Phlox subulata and the tall, architectural Salvia nemorosa. Together, they create a dynamic, layered planting in a candy store of color! Both are low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly, and many deer-resistant, making them excellent choices for every garden.
Phlox subulata — Creeping Phlox
Phlox subulata is available in a dazzling array of color for sunny spring gardens. This mat-forming evergreen perennial wows with a vibrant, blanket-like display of flowers in spring. It hugs the ground at just four to six inches tall, yet spreads vigorously up to two feet wide — cascading over rock walls, spilling along border edges, and filling slopes with dense color.
The blooms appear in loose clusters in shades of pink, lavender, reddish-purple, and white, covering the plant all spring. Its foliage remains evergreen year-round, giving the plant visual interest after spring blooming has ended.
Beyond its kaleidoscope of color, creeping phlox can be an easy fix for trouble spots in your landscape. Its dense mat-like habit makes it excellent for suppressing weeds and preventing soil erosion on slopes. Once established, it requires very little maintenance — it’s drought-tolerant and many varieties are resistant to deer and rabbits. Phlox subulata is best grown in well-drained soils in full sun.
At a glance: Height 4–6″, spread up to 2 ft · Blooms April–May · Full sun (6+ hrs) · Deer resistant
Phlox subulata is particularly stunning as a groundcover over spring bulbs, as an edging along pathways, in rock gardens, or allowed to drape over a low wall. It also attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and early-season bees — making it as ecologically valuable as it is beautiful.
Popular varieties to look for:
- ‘Drummond’s Pink’ — Deep vibrant pink flowers with a dark pink center, layered on a bright green evergreen mat.
- ‘Purple Beauty’ — Evergreen foliage covered with a blanket of light purple blooms each early spring.
- ‘Spring Bling Ruby Riot’ — Vivid reddish-pink flowers with darker, eye-catching centers and a long bloom window.
- ‘Emerald Blue’ — Fast-spreading ground cover that creates a soft carpet of pale lavender-blue flowers.
Salvia nemorosa — Woodland Sage
Where phlox hugs the ground, Salvia nemorosa reaches for the sky. This sun-loving perennial is prized for its upright spikes of vibrant flowers and aromatic, gray-green foliage, blooming from late spring through summer and attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its well-branched habit brings strong vertical structure and saturated color to the middle of a sunny border.
Salvia nemorosa flower spikes rise above the foliage in shades of violet, purple, blue, and pink, complemented by darker calyces that add depth and contrast. Despite its common name “woodland sage,” Salvia nemorosa prefers full sun and needs at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
At a glance: Height 12–30″, spread 12–24″ · Blooms late spring through fall (with deadheading) · Full sun (6+ hrs) · USDA zones 4–8 · Deer resistant
Notable cultivars available at Gateway Gardens:
- ‘Blue By You’ — Bold blue flower spikes on well-branched stems. All-America Selections Winner 2023 and PA State University Trials Best of Species 2024.
- ‘Rose Marvel’ — Vibrant rose-pink flower spikes, perfect for the middle or front of a sunny border. Deer and rabbit resistant foliage.
- ‘Blue Hill’ — Violet-blue blooms and aromatic foliage. Pollinator-friendly, drought-tolerant, and ideal for sunny gardens.
Also In-Store: Bush Blueberries
Our Bushel and Berry varieties — including the ever-popular Peach Sorbet — are sun-loving shrubs offering sweet, delicious fruits.
Stop in and see us to browse our full selection of sun-loving spring perennials — or visit us at gatewaygardens.com. We’re open Mon–Fri 9am–6pm and Sat–Sun 9am–5pm.
Further Reading & Resources
- Phlox subulata Plant Profile (NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox)
Complete botanical profile of creeping phlox — native range, cultivar details, and ecological value as a pollinator plant. - Incorporating Pennsylvania Native Perennial Plants into the Garden (Penn State Extension)
Guidance on selecting and siting native perennials in Pennsylvania gardens, including how to combine plants that thrive in the same natural habitats. - Pollinators in the Home Garden (Penn State Extension)
In-depth resources on gardening for native pollinators — bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial insects — with Pennsylvania-specific guidance. - Salvia nemorosa Plant Finder (Missouri Botanical Garden)
Authoritative botanical reference for woodland sage covering growth habits, bloom time, and best garden uses. - Year of the Salvia nemorosa (National Garden Bureau)
A deep dive into hardy garden salvias — reblooming techniques, cultivar comparisons, and why this genus is such a magnet for pollinators. - Planting for Pollinators (Penn State Extension, York County Master Gardeners)
We challenge you to add at least one new pollinator plant to your garden this season — this checklist is a great place to start!
