I planted a lot of plants of "Creeping Phlox" in the front of my house. Another sure sign that perennials need to be divided is when they begin to grow in a donut shape, growing circularly around a dead patch in the middle. Dig up the entire plant, divide the clump into sections, and replant immediately. Phlox. These dense plants are appropriately employed as ground cover to grow over large areas of land. Water to settle the soil and help the plant re-establish. Trim away any portions of creeping phlox that do not touch soil, such as the part of the plant that trails over rocks, planters or walls. Creeping phlox, also known as moss pink and mountain phlox, is a perennial plant that is an absolute must-have for many rock gardens around the world. Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is a familiar spring-blooming creeping plant that is frequently seen in rock gardens, growing from crevices in stone walls, or planted as a flowering ground cover. I've used a clean, sharp spade and It belongs to the family Polemoniaceae that has around 65 different species. Creeping Phlox can be propagated in the early spring via division, simply dig up a clump and separate the roots into small pieces and re-plant the roots. Read more to learn how to divide phlox plants. Dig down into the soil, cutting straight through the non-woody mat of plant growth with the blade of the shovel. To divide phlox, cut around the root ball with a sharp spade, then gently lift the plant out from the ground. About 24 hours before phlox plant division, water the plants deeply and thoroughly. You can trim creeping phlox to help it maintain its shape after it completes its bloom in the spring time. A little preparation is required before dividing phlox plants. Place divisions 12 to 18 inches apart and firm soil around the root ball. I have creeping phlox growing in the garden pathways and even among the gravel in the driveway. Trim back the faded flowers and half the height of the foliage with pruning shears on the section of creeping phlox you want to divide. Plant these new divisions immediately and water them thoroughly. Clumps that have no middle flowers and seem more like a ring than a dome need dividing. Surely the best feature of creeping phlox is its flower production. Creeping phlox is a popular flowering perennial which is often observed growing around the perimeter of a garden or yard as a garden border. Dividing Perennials – The Basics. It is best to divide them in the spring. If your once-robust Hosta, Iris, Shasta Daisy, Creeping Phlox, or Peonies looked weak or had puny flowers this season, it may be time to divide the clumps. Watering with a rooting fertilizer can help reduce stress for the plants and encourage quick rooting. Creeping phlox, Phlox subulata, is a stunning low-growing perennial that creates a striking carpet full of 5-petaled blooms in radiant hues of reds, purples, blues, pinks and whites in late April and May.Typically reaching a mere height of 6 inches, but often spreading to 2 feet, it is a great choice for a groundcover. To divide phlox, cut around the root ball with a sharp spade, then gently lift the plant out from the ground. Creeping phlox spreads throughout an area hastily and is one of the few spring blooming plants that can be used as both a ground cover and a garden border. Remove excess dirt from the roots. Not only are the individual blooms pretty, but there are also so many of them that the display is truly something special to behold. How to Propagate Phlox Plants. Spread the foliage apart and cut through the roots along the dividing line, which you can see in the top photo at left, making sure all the roots on the division are severed from the main plant. Cuttings, if done right, are a particularly easy option to propagate, as they root easily after a few months. Also called moss phlox, creeping phlox is evergreen with soft foliage that forms a dense, 6-inch-high green mat, spreading up to 3 feet and cascading over rocks and retaining walls. Likewise, if the foliage becomes sparse, it is probably time for dividing phlox. As long as it gets full sunshine and plenty of water, it stays happy. How to divide moss phlox Has your moss phlox spread too far? So, how do you know when to divide phlox plants? All you need to do is cut a roughly 6-inch-long section, either from a rooted stem or a … Growing creeping phlox over a rockery or in tough soil conditions provides a … You could divide … Woodland phlox, Phlox divaricata, is an eastern North American native increasingly offered as an ornamental to use in cultivated gardens for its attractive bluish flowers.This herbaceous perennial in the phlox family (Polemoniaceae) can be found growing in dappled shade in open woods, partially shaded meadows, and along stream banks from Quebec to Florida and west to Texas and the … When phlox plants start producing fewer or no blooms, it may be time to divide them. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/divide-creeping-phlox-42467.html The roots are typically short, but spread over the length of the plant stem where it contacts soil. And just as you would divide other plants will work. To encourage growth after the phlox bloom in the spring give them a trim. Division is an easy way to propagate new phlox plants. What I could see of the color in the grower’s pot was nice, but when it grew and expanded, the results were spectacular! Plants divided in late summer/early fall should be mulched in late fall. You should also prepare the site for the divisions, loosen up the soil and add any required amendments. Cut the piece into several sections sized to suit your planting needs with the shovel, or pull them carefully apart with your hands. Be sure to keep the roots intact and attached to the foliage section of the phlox. Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox) Creeping phlox is a low-growing species which forms a carpet-like mat no taller than 6 inches. The blooming period ranges from March to May depending on the planting zone. Replant the divisions immediately. Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) produces a colorful spring carpet of soft pastel hues.Little expert knowledge is needed on how to plant and care for creeping phlox. Creeping phlox should only be divided every two to three years unless it is growing too aggressively. In this post I will be Transplanting Creeping Phlox. The plants reach, at most, 6 inches in height and can spread out up to 2 feet to form a mat. Phlox plant divisions should be planted immediately, but they can be planted in pots with potting mix temporarily to give to friends and neighbors. The creeping stems or stolons that extend from the crown of the plant root wherever they touch soil. Separate the roots into sections with three or more shoots and adequate roots with a sharp, clean knife. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. This popular little perennial is best … Phlox are herbaceous plants most commonly known for making billowing mounds of scented flowers in summer borders. This perennial evergreen ground cover prefers a sunny location for best blooming results. Phlox flowers need to be transplanted in a very specific way. With long lasting, reblooming flowers in a variety of colors that attract butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators, garden phlox has long been a favorite garden plant. As a general rule, phlox plant division can be done every two to four years in spring or fall. Plant creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) and you can welcome spring with a carpetlike display of pink, purple or white blooms that lasts for two to three weeks and increases in size each year. Actually, any 3-4 year old perennial clump can benefit from division. During division, dig out a section of the mat of creeping phlox. It is perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9 and requires a site with full sun and excellent drainage. Trim the tops a bit in the process so the roots do not have to support a great deal of top growth. Mix 2 2/3 ounces of herbicide with 1 gallon of water in a spray bottle or 1 gallon garden sprayer to make a 2 percent glyphosate solution. Divide taller plants every 2 or 3 years. Rock gardens, slopes and areas with sandy soil are ideal. Sign up for our newsletter. A notorious dweller on edges of rocky embankments, the Emerald Blue Creeping Phlox is just that. Creeping phlox is easy to propagate through division, stem cuttings, or rooted stems. Patricia Hamilton Reed has written professionally since 1987. The pine-needle foliage Creeping Phlox have done beautifully and I need to replace the other Phlox Spring Hill Nursery: How to Grow and Care for Phlox, Washington State University Extension: Creeping Phlox, East Cherry Creek Water and Sanitation District: Phlox Subulata, Creeping Phlox, The Perennial Care Manual: A Plant-by-Plant Guide: What to Do and When to Do It; Nancy J. Ondra, National Gardening Association: Landscaping a Sandy Hillside in San Francisco, How to Redo a Mirror Frame With Mosaic Glass. 2 through 9 and requires a site with full sun and with well-drained soil evergreen ground.... 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