groundcover · design plant record

Phlox subulata

Creeping phlox

A low spring-flowering carpet for a sunny edge or open rock garden.

Photographs show the source plant or captioned cultivar, season and setting. They do not document one of our illustrative garden layouts as a built project.

Height at maturity

0.1–0.15 m (0.3–0.5 ft)

Spread at maturity

0.61–0.91 m (2–3 ft)

Light

Part shade / Sun

Moisture

Drier soil after establishment / Moist, draining soil

Source-reported USDA zones

3–9 · verify subzone and cultivar

Principal seasonal role

Spring, Summer

Fit it to the site

Well-drained ground; avoid a persistently saturated planting pocket.

Do not confuse it with taller border phlox; poor drainage can undermine a compact planting.

Keep the care in the decision

Trim lightly after bloom if required and keep weeds out of the spreading mat.

Origin & safety checks

Central and Eastern Canada and Central and Eastern United States. Confirm local native range and restrictions.

Pet safety and edible uses are not assessed; verify the exact botanical name with a suitable local authority.

Check current invasive restrictions with your local plant-health or extension authority. For pets, use the exact botanical name in a veterinary toxicity reference; for potential ingestion or exposure, get appropriate professional advice rather than relying on a design guide.