Phlox subulata

Read about Phlox subulata in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Phlox subulata, Linn. (P. setacea, Linn.). Ground Pink. Moss Pink. Fig. 2915. Tufted or matted species, in many forms, the depressed sts.more or less pubescent: lvs. crowded or fascicled (except on the flowering sts.), narrow-linear to linear-lanceolate, very sharp and usually stiff, ciliate: fls. nearly 1 in. across, light blue, pink or white, in small clusters standing 2-6 in. above the ground, the lobes obcordate or entire. Dry banks and fields, N. Y., west and south, reaching Fla.; run wild in patches along many roadsides, in cemeteries, and elsewhere. B. M. 411 and 415. Gn. 67, p. 218; 71, p. 166; 75, p. 29. F. W7 1878, frontis. Gn. M. 2:167. G.L.22: 358.—A much-prized old garden plant, useful for colonizing where it is desired to cover the earth with a mat. It blooms profusely in spring. The garden forms are many, as: Var. nivalis, Hort. (P. nivalis, Lodd.), white-fld., style short; ovules commonly 2 or 3 in each cell. L. B.C. 8:780. Var. aristata, Hort. (P. aristata, Lodd.), has fls. pure white, sometimes lilac-tinted; ovules 1 in each cell. L.B.C. 18:1731. Var. Nelsonii, Hort., (not P. Nelsonii, Brand), white, with rose-red eye; compact. G.W. 15, p. 430. Gn. 75, p. 275. Var. Hentzii, Voss (P, Hentzii, Nutt.), lobes entire or nearly so, white, lavender or purple. Southern states. Var. annulata, Hort., whitish blue, with purple ring. Var. atropurpurea, Hort., rose-purple with crimson ring. Var. grandiflora, Hort., fls. large, red; plant dwarf. Var. stellaris, Hort., with star-like white fls. in profusion. Var. caerulescens, Hort., with bluish fls. Var. pallida. Hort., large-fld., rose-colored shaded lilac. Var. frondosa, Hort., vigorous form; fls. pink with dark center. Var. lilacina, Hort., compact, lilac-fld. G.C. III. 41:383. G.M. 55:283.—Some of the foregoing forms are described or listed as if derived from P. Stel- laria; but whether from the species P. Stellaria, Gray, or the race of stelliaria or stellaris of P. subulata, is not always clear. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

? Moss Phlox
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ericales Family: Polemoniaceae Subfamily: Polemonioideae Genus: Phlox Species: P. subulata
Binomial name
Phlox subulata L.

Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox, Moss Pink, Mountain Phlox) is a perennial creeper growing to a height of 6 inches and covering a 20 inch wide area. The small, five-petaled flowers bloom in rose, mauve, blue, white, or pink in late spring to early summer.

Cultivation

• Requires full sun and well-drained soil.
• Hardiness zones: USDA zone 3 to 9

References

• Blanchan, Neltje (2002). Wild Flowers: An Aid to Knowledge of our Wild Flowers and their Insect Visitors. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. 
• Bay Books. P. 2005. The A-Z of Garden Flowers.