Does creeping phlox grow well in shaded gardens?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Ground cover shade gardens can benefit from Phlox stolonifera's versatility. Although it does prefer full morning sun, I have successfully grown it under birch trees that provide shade but not complete shade. In spring, it produces lovely lavender blooms that draw in early bees, even in partial shade. This shows that the beauty of a garden can be achieved with some compromises.
Light & Placement
- Tolerates 3-4 hours of filtered light daily
- Avoid deep shade under evergreens
- East-facing slopes optimize morning sun exposure
Soil & Maintenance
- Requires well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0
- Mulch with shredded leaves to retain moisture
- Divide every 3 years to prevent center die-back
Preparing the soil and having the right conditions often make the difference. In a client's maple tree, I added compost to amend and lighten the burly clay soil while planting the Phlox stolonifera. Now it is thriving and carpeted the area even with root competition. For acidic sites, we add lime to raise the pH to at least 6.5, as this mimics what it will find in its native habitat on woodland floors.
Design using layered textures. A combination of the moss-like mats of Phlox interplanted with the ruffled leaves of Heuchera located at the edge of spaces, walking paths are seamless and striking. I had a client install Hydrangea arborescens; we interplanted the phlox underneath this hydrangea. The lush pale green leaves of the hydrangea enveloping the blooms of the phlox create an interesting experience without a gap between the two experiences.
Natural advantages greatly exceed decreases in bloom numbers. Phlox stolonifera is a host plant for mining bees, who pollinate crops during the same season. After planting a client's shaded slope with this native plant, we now encourage eight species of bees to visit, whereas we had only one with the former plants. Choose native alternatives over invasive ones to create healthy ecosystems.
Read the full article: 10 Best Ground Cover Shade Plants
