Description
Creeping phlox is a spreading, mat-forming phlox which is native to wooded areas and stream banks in the Appalachian Mountains. Creeping, leafy, vegetative (sterile) stems typically form a foliage mat to 3″ tall and spread indefinitely. Loose clusters (cymes) of fragrant, tubular, lavender flowers (to 3/4″ wide) with five, flat, petal-like, rounded lobes appear on upright, leafy, flowering stems which rise above the foliage mat to 8″ tall in spring.
Best grown in humusy, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Good shade tolerance. Prefers acidic, rich, organic soils with continuous, even moisture. Self-seeds in optimum growing conditions. Spreads by stolons to form large colonies in the wild as both the common and species names suggest.