Creeping Phlox, Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue'

I got a good deal on Creeping Phlox (I hope) at Lowes. 1/2 flat regular price $7.95 at 75% off or $2.00. I would like to be able to use these in containers and then move to the garden in the fall.

My question is: will they rebloom this summer? Should they be sheared? I’m in Zone 4.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

Here is some info I found. Hope this is useful to you. Yes, you can cut them back for fuller healthier plants that should re-bloom over the summer.

http://www.paghat.com/mossphloxred.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_7366_grow-moss-pinks.html

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/973/

http://landscaping.about.com/od/groundcovervines1/p/creeping_phlox.htm

http://www.daytonnursery.com/encyclopedia/perennials/phlox%20subulata.htm

Thanks themoonhowl,

I had looked at some of these sites prior to my post (DG, of course,) but was hoping someone with personal experience would maybe have some tips. From what I've read, I'm still not sure if they will bloom in just the spring, spring and early summer or if they will bloom continuously through the summer.

Mine bloom in the early spring and after that I shear them back and usually get a second nice flush in early summer, I shear them again lightly and usually manage a third light bloom before frost. Not knowing what zone you are in makes it harder to say whether you will get a third flush or any sporadic blooms after the early summer bloom. I do feed them after shearing them back.

They are, as was said, early spring bloomers (right now, in my northern zone 3 garden). Here in our short season, I just let them follow their nature and don't shear, as they stay in very good, neat form anyway. I'm not sure if our season is even long enough to force a second bloom, and haven't heard of other people shearing theirs (just don't know).

That seemed to be the consistent thread in all the links I looked at Altagardener. I treat mine like I do my Mums and always manage at least two flush blooms plus a few sporadic blooms. Think that is just the difference between your Zone 3 and my Zone 9.

Yes, indeed... great difference in length of season.

When you shear your phlox, do you lift it up and cut it back to the rooted area or are you talking more like a trimming sort of haircut?

I cut mine back by about 1/3 to 1/2 so it really is just a good haircut for the summer. We are so humid here I find it is better for them....helps prevent mildew and fungus and relieves some of the stress from heat on the root system.

Thanks for the feedback-- I was just essentially doing a bit of drastic deadheading! I'll try cutting it back further. I tend to be timid when it comes to cutting and pruning plants back...

I hear ya. I am always reminded of a beautiful Rosemary I tried to reshape and managed to kill. I usually try to err on the side of caution....grin

Hey everyone,

Thanks for all the info and discussion … always learning from others questions and comments. Today is haircut day for my phlox. We’ll see what happens.

Thanks again themoonhowl, altagardener, madgrace. As I mentioned in the original post, I’m in zone 4. Seems like we all are in different zones, so probably have different results. Sure hope I get a second flush.

Have a GREAT day!

You are welcome Zelda_Marie. I hope they continue to thrive and bloom for you.