What month does moss phlox bloom, how tall can it grow, and how does it differ from shibazakura?

Moss phlox generally refers to Phlox subulata, a perennial low-growing herbaceous plant. Several flowers grow at the tips of the branches in simple cymes. It can bloom twice a year, each time for about 40 days. The first full bloom period is April to May, the second bloom period is August to September, extending to December when scattered small flowers continue to open.

I. How tall can moss phlox grow

Perennial low-growing herbaceous plant. Stems tufted, spreading, much branched, covered with soft hairs. Leaves opposite or clustered at the nodes, subulate-linear or linear-lanceolate, 1-1.5 cm long, sharply pointed, with spreading short marginal hairs; no petiole. Several flowers grow at the tips of the branches in simple cymes; pedicels slender, 0.7-1 cm long, densely covered with short soft hairs; calyx 6-7 mm long, densely covered with short soft hairs on the outside, calyx teeth linear-lanceolate, nearly equal in length to the calyx tube; corolla salverform, pale red, purple or white, about 2 cm long, lobes obovate, notched at the tip, shorter than the corolla tube, about 6 mm long. Capsule oblong, about 4 mm high.

II. How it differs from shibazakura

According to sources, shibazakura is moss phlox, native to New York State, North Carolina and Michigan in the United States. It is a perennial evergreen cold-hardy herbaceous perennial of the genus Phlox in the family Polemoniaceae. This plant is extremely cold-hardy, drought-tolerant, tolerant of poor soil and tolerant of high temperatures. At minus 8° the leaves remain green, and it can overwinter at minus 32°. On poor yellow sandy soil, even after many days without rain, it can still survive and grow. It can also withstand high temperatures of 42 degrees. It can bloom twice a year, each time for about 40 days. It is an excellent alternative to lawn grass. Phlox subulata should be trimmed promptly in summer, especially after flowering, cutting away the stems and tendrils that have already flowered and any uneven stems and tendrils. A lawnmower must not be used to shear it; it can only be trimmed by hand with scissors. If weeds are found, they must be removed by hand; do not spray herbicide. In dry seasons, Phlox subulata is prone to red spider mite damage, with the symptom being yellowing of the leaf clusters. In overly cold areas, a layer of leaves or branches can be spread over the seedlings in the field to avoid frost damage caused by severe cold.

III. Landscape uses of moss phlox

Phlox subulata has many fine traits of perennial flowers and has many landscape uses: it can be planted on bare open ground; it can be used as a dot planting in edge green belts; it can be planted in crevices between rocks; it can be mixed with flowers such as tulips, campanulas and dwarf daylilies; it can be planted under large trees to achieve the beautifying effect of not exposing bare soil; it can also be planted on slope areas, not only beautifying the slope but also reducing soil erosion.

Phlox subulata is highly valued in landscaping. It not only has a high coverage rate but also strong ornamental value. It is an excellent groundcover flower, can replace traditional lawns and is a good groundcover plant. Phlox subulata is much favored by the public for its long bloom period and long green period (330-360 days), especially when it blooms in early spring, with a profusion of flowers that is festive and delightful. It is most suitable for courtyard flowerbed planting or planting in rock gardens; the group ornamental effect is excellent, and it can be used as groundcover decorative material to dot lawns or planted in hanging baskets. Used for flowerbeds, flower borders and groundcover.