3 Steps to Growing Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox is a popular flowering perennial which is often observed growing around the perimeter of a garden or yard as a garden border. These dense plants are appropriately employed as ground cover to grow over large areas of land. 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. Creeping phlox is fairly easy to grow; this article will give you step-by-step instructions that will teach you how to successfully grow this plant in your garden.

Step 1 - Choose to Grow from Seedlings or Seeds

Before you can begin to grow creeping phlox you need to determine whether you want to grow the plant from seed or purchase seedlings from a nursery. Purchasing semi-established seedling from a nursery is the easiest and fastest way to populate your garden with creeping phlox. Instead of taking many months to raise the plant from a seed, you will only need to focus your attention on growing and taking care of the seedlings.

If you decide to grow creeping phlox from seed you will need to raise the plant in a container for the first year or two until it is established enough to sustain itself in nature. Growing any plant from seed is a fairly delicate process that takes several months worth of patience and careful attention.

Step 2 - Plant Seedlings in the Garden

If you’re growing your creeping phlox from seeds, you will not execute step 2 for at least a year after growing the plant in a container. Assuming that you have an established creeping phlox seedling in your possession, the first task you have is to determine where to plant the seedling.

Remember that creeping phlox is notorious for its ability to spread throughout an area of land fairly quickly. If you do not have the time in your schedule to do a bi-yearly prune and maintain the plant’s new growth, you should plant in an area where you wish for the ground to be covered. If you’re using creeping phlox as a garden border, bear in mind that it will need to be maintained every year if you don’t want it to encroach on your other plants.

After choosing an appropriate area to plant your seedlings, you will need to dig a hole in the dirt that is 1 inch deeper than the container that you bought the plant in. After digging your hole, remove the seedling from its container by putting your left hand on the largest stem of the seedling and then turning the container upside down. Gently massage the container with your free hand until the contents are liberated. Break apart the root system before placing the seedling in the ground and watering it in.

Step 3 - Learn General Plant Maintenance

Creeping phlox should only be given supplemental water during the hottest summer months and in drought conditions. Mulch around the base of newly established plants and fertilize adults once a year with granular or liquid fertilizer. Prune during the beginning of fall in order to maintain proper shape and health.