Are creeping phlox and moss phlox the same flower, and can they survive winter in the north?

Generally speaking, without specialized knowledge it is quite hard to tell the difference between moss phlox and creeping phlox, because after they bloom they have small, cute flowers, and both can produce mostly pink or white flowers with a very striking visual effect, so they are easily confused.

Differences between moss phlox and creeping phlox

Moss phlox and creeping phlox look similar in appearance because they belong to the same plant species, just with different names in different places. In relevant flower books, the scientific name of these two plants is Phlox subulata, and in our country they are mostly collectively called creeping phlox; they are perennial herbaceous plants. The flowering period is mostly in spring from March to May, though in suitable climates they can also bloom from July to September, and the petal colors include white, pink, purple or red.

Is creeping phlox cold-hardy

In southern flower markets, creeping phlox is not seen very often, but it can be seen in northern flower markets; it can be considered an extremely cold-hardy plant, and during winter it can get through smoothly as long as the low temperature does not exceed -32°C. Its suitable temperature is around 15-26°C, but at -8°C its plants can still be seen growing evergreen leaves, which shows it is a cold-hardy plant with extremely strong vitality.

Growing environment

Creeping phlox is not strict about soil, but if you want it to grow more vigorously, you can give it well-drained and loose loam, and in daily care you can give it plenty of sunlight; there is no need to worry that high temperatures will hinder its growth, because it can endure both severe cold and high temperatures. For watering, you only need to follow "water when dry, stop when wet".

Value

In ancient times, Du Fu once described creeping phlox in a verse, writing: "By Lady Huang the Fourth's home flowers fill the path, thousands of blooms and ten thousands of blooms weigh the branches low. Lingering butterflies dance all the time, free and easy, the lovely orioles sing just right." This precisely shows that in daily use it can be planted on a large scale on flat ground, slopes, or hanging over walls, and it can also replace traditional lawns as ground cover for courtyards.