Phlox subulata

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|image = Shibazakura.JPG

|genus = Phlox

|species = subulata

|authority = L.

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File:Sakura and Moss Pink - 桜(さくら)と芝桜(しばざくら).jpg at Yachounomori Garden in Annaka, Gunma]]

Phlox subulata the creeping phlox, moss phlox,{{BSBI 2007 |accessdate=2014-10-17 }} moss pink or mountain phlox, is a species of flowering plant in the family Polemoniaceae, native to the eastern and central United States, and widely cultivated.

The odor given off by the plants may be mistaken for that of marijuana.{{cite news|title=Police sorry for drug raid mix-up|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7769240.stm|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|accessdate=20 July 2013|date=6 December 2008}}

Description

Growing to about {{convert|13|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} high at most and covering a {{convert|50|cm|0|abbr=on}} wide area, it is an evergreen perennial forming mats or cushions of hairy, linear leaves. The small, five-petaled flowers bloom in rose, mauve, blue, white, or pink in late spring to early summer.{{cite book|title=RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants|year=2008|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|location=United Kingdom|isbn=978-1405332965|pages=1136}} Its habitats include rocky ledges, slopes and clearings.{{Cite web |title=Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin |url=https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=phsu3 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=www.wildflower.org}}

Taxonomy

The Latin specific epithet subulata means awl- or needle-shaped{{cite book|last=Harrison|first=Lorraine|title=RHS Latin for gardeners|year=2012|publisher=Mitchell Beazley|location=United Kingdom|isbn=9781845337315|pages=224}} which refers to its leaves.{{Cite web |title=Phlox subulata - Plant Finder |url=https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c268 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=www.missouribotanicalgarden.org}}

Cultivation

The plant is cultivated as a front-of-border or groundcover plant. Requiring full sun and well-drained soil, it is very hardy, tolerating temperatures down to {{convert|-20|C|F|abbr=on}}, and is suitable for hardiness zones USDA 3 to 9. It grows in sandy or gravely soil.

=Cultivars=

The following cultivars have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 78 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | accessdate = 25 April 2018}}

'Kelly's Eye'{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/76865/Phlox-Kelly-s-Eye/Details | title = Phlox 'Kelly's Eye' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 5 March 2021}} (pink)
'McDaniel's Cushion'{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - Phlox subulata 'McDaniel's Cushion' | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/85075/Phlox-subulata-McDaniel-s-Cushion/Details | access-date = 20 July 2013}} (deep pink)
'Red Wings'{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/81728/Phlox-subulata-Red-Wings/Details | title = Phlox subulata 'Red Winga' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 5 March 2021}} (carmine red)