Phlox forms dense, flat-lying cushions and produces lush flowers between May and June. Phlox is therefore one of the typical rock garden cushions, but is also indispensable in dry stone walls. Small-growing species also look great in appropriate planters.
What is rock garden phlox?
Rock garden phlox (cushion phlox) is an easy-care, perennial plant that is perfect for sunny, dry locations. Available in a variety of species and colors, it produces lush cushions of flowers between May and June that are ideal for rock gardens, dry stone walls or planters.
Cushion phlox is perfect for sunny and dry rock gardens
The various Phlox species feel particularly comfortable in full sun and dry locations. It is best to plant the plants in cracks in rocks, in drywall cracks or in finer rubble; the carpets will then spread over the flat rock. The care is very uncomplicated; If the cushions have become too large, simply cut them back after flowering. Only the wild species need good protection from moisture in winter. In general, good drainage must be ensured when planting the rock garden, as phlox and many other rock garden plants often cannot tolerate excessive moisture.
Many beautiful species and varieties for more variety
Due to the lush and colorful flowers, the carpet or upholstery phlox is also known as the “flame flower”. There are numerous different species and varieties whose flowers are typically clearly five-part and often have a strong eye. The needle-like leaves are close together on the multi-branched shoots.
Proven Phlox species and varieties
Phlox borealis (Northern cushion phlox) grows up to ten centimeters high and forms a dense, hard and evergreen cushion. The large, star-shaped flowers are a strong pink. The carpet phlox (Phlox douglasii), which also grows up to ten centimeters high and is also ideal for pots or troughs, comes in particularly numerous varieties. Carpet phlox comes in many colors:
- ‘Crackerjack’ flowers carmine red,
- 'Eva' pink with one dark eye,
- ‘Lilac Cloud’ light purple,
- ‘Oxblood’ dark red,
- ‘Red Admiral’ bright red,
- ‘Rose Cushion’ bright pink
- and 'White Admiral' pure white.
The upholstery phlox (Phlox subulata) is around 15 centimeters tall, slightly taller than Phlox douglasii and looks particularly beautiful in walls. There are also many varieties in different colors:
- ‘Candy Stripes’ flowers white/pink,
- ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’ light blue,
- ‘G. F. Wilson' flowers light blue and is vigorous,
- 'Maischnee' is compact and has pure white flowers,
- ‘Scarlet Flame’ blooms scarlet
- and 'White Delight' is vigorous with a pure white flower.
Tip
The phlox looks particularly pretty in combination with other perennials such as blue cushions, goose cress, alyssum, carnations, bluebells or saxifrage.
