Phlox 'Emerald Blue'

Phlox 'Emerald Blue': A Lavender-Blue Sheet Over the Slope

Lavender-blue stars pile on so thick the foliage disappears, like the whole slope went for a dip in a pool of periwinkle. 'Emerald Blue' has never heard the phrase LESS IS MORE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue'
• Common Name: Creeping Phlox, Moss Phlox
• Height: 10–15 cm (4–6 in)
• Spread: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Flowers: Small, star-shaped, lavender-blue, so plentiful they nearly hide the foliage
• Bloom Time: Mid to late spring (May to June)
• Foliage: Bright to dark green, needle-like, evergreen, forming a dense mat
• Features: Evergreen groundcover

Where to Plant: Use it on sunny slopes and banks, at the top of a retaining wall, between stepping stones and along the front of a bed. It's a classic rock garden plant, and the tray of small pots lets you cover a good-sized area in one go.

Companion Plants: Use 'Emerald Blue' as a spring carpet at the front of a sunny, dry bed with summer colour behind it. Dianthus Fruit Punch® 'Cranberry Cocktail' adds double hot magenta pinks at 20 to 25 cm from June to August. Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta brings clouds of tiny white flowers at 30 to 40 cm from June to September. Echinacea SunMagic® Vintage Electric Orange adds intense orange coneflowers at 45 to 60 cm from July to September. Pennisetum 'Karley Rose' arches behind at 90 to 100 cm with rosy plumes.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Sandy or gravelly ground suits it well; wet, heavy clay does not, especially over winter. Space plants about 30–45 cm (12–18 in) apart and water until they knit together. After that, water only in long dry spells. Shear the stems back by about half after flowering to keep the mat dense and encourage a few fall flowers. Leave the foliage over winter, then tidy any brown patches in spring. Divide in spring or after bloom if the centre thins out.

History: Creeping phlox is native to eastern and central North America, where it covers rocky ledges and sandy slopes. Also called moss pink and mountain phlox, it has been a favourite spring groundcover in North American gardens for generations.

Final Thoughts: When the flowers finish, the needles stay green all year. Deer skip it. COVER THE HILL AND KEEP THE MOWER IN THE SHED.