Phlox subulata

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Phlox subulata
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Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Polemoniaceae
Genus: Phlox
Species:
P. subulata
Binomial name
Phlox subulata
L.
Phlox subulata in an ornamental planting beneath a cherry tree at Yachounomori Garden in Annaka, Gunma Sakura and Moss Pink - Ying (sakura)toZhi Ying (shibazakura).jpg
Phlox subulata in an ornamental planting beneath a cherry tree at Yachounomori Garden in Annaka, Gunma

Phlox subulata the creeping phlox, moss phlox, [1] 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.

Contents

The odor given off by the plants may be mistaken for that of marijuana. [2]

Description

Growing to about 13 cm (5 in) high at most and covering a 50 cm (20 in) 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. [3] Its habitats include rocky ledges, slopes and clearings. [4]

Taxonomy

The Latin specific epithet subulata means awl- or needle-shaped [5] which refers to its leaves. [6]

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 −20 °C (−4 °F), and is suitable for hardiness zones USDA 3 to 9. It grows in sandy or gravely soil. [6]

Cultivars

The following cultivars have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit: [7]

See also

Phlox stolonifera

Related Research Articles

<i>Phlox</i> Genus of flowering plants

Phlox is a genus of 68 species of perennial and annual plants in the family Polemoniaceae. They are found mostly in North America in diverse habitats from alpine tundra to open woodland and prairie. Some flower in spring, others in summer and fall. Flowers may be pale blue, violet, pink, bright red, or white. Many are fragrant.

<i>Hibiscus syriacus</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Nigella damascena</i> Species of flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae

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<i>Lobularia maritima</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Erica cinerea</i> Species of flowering plant in the heather family Ericaceae

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<i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> Species of plant

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<i>Primula elatior</i> Species of flowering plant

Primula elatior, the oxlip, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to nutrient-poor and calcium-rich damp woods and meadows throughout Europe, with northern borders in Denmark and southern parts of Sweden, eastwards to the Altai Mountains and on the Kola Peninsula in Russia, and westwards in the British Isles.

<i>Ribes sanguineum</i> Species of flowering plant in the gooseberry family Grossulariaceae

Ribes sanguineum, the flowering currant, redflower currant, red-flowering currant, or red currant is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Grossulariaceae, native to the western United States and Canada.

<i>Salix reticulata</i> Species of willow

Salix reticulata, the net-leaved willow, or snow willow, is a dwarf willow, native to the colder parts of Europe, North America, and Northern Asia. It is found in the western United States, including the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains. In Europe it extends south through the Carpathian Mountains and Alps to the Pyrenees and the mountains of Bulgaria and North Macedonia. It is common in Canada, Greenland and Finland, and present but rare in Scotland.

<i>Crambe cordifolia</i> Species of flowering plant

Crambe cordifolia, the greater sea-kale, colewort or heartleaf crambe, is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae, native to the Caucasus. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

<i>Gillenia trifoliata</i> Species of flowering plant

Gillenia trifoliata, common name Bowman's root or Indian physic, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to eastern North America from Ontario to Georgia. It is an erect herbaceous perennial growing to 100 cm (39 in) tall by 60 cm (24 in) wide, with three lobed palmate leaves and pale pink flowers with narrow petals and reddish calyces above red coloured stems in spring and summer. Its habitat includes dry to moist upland woods and rocky banks.

<i>Phlox divaricata</i> Species of flowering plant

Phlox divaricata, the wild blue phlox, woodland phlox, or wild sweet william, is a species of flowering plant in the family Polemoniaceae, native to forests and fields in eastern North America.

<i>Phlox paniculata</i> Species of flowering plant

Phlox paniculata is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family (Polemoniaceae). It is native to parts of the eastern and central United States. It is extensively cultivated in temperate regions as an ornamental plant and has become established in the wild in scattered locales in other regions. Common names include fall phlox, garden phlox, perennial phlox, summer phlox, and panicled phlox.

<i>Gypsophila repens</i> Species of flowering plant

Gypsophila repens, the alpine gypsophila or creeping baby's breath, is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, where it grows on dry, chalky slopes. The Latin name literally means "creeping chalk-lover". It is a prostrate, mat-forming herbaceous perennial, growing around 20 cm (8 in) tall by 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide. For much of the summer it bears masses of star-shaped flowers which may be white, lilac or light purple, in loose panicles.

<i>Papaver commutatum</i> Species of plant

Papaver commutatum, the Caucasian scarlet poppy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae native to northern Turkey, northwestern Iran and the Caucasus. It is an erect annual growing to 45 cm (18 in) tall by 15 cm (6 in) wide, with hairy stalks and leaves. The flower is bowl-shaped and about 8 cm (3 in) in diameter, bright red with prominent black blotches at the bases of the petals, and is borne in early summer. The flowers are followed by spherical seed heads.

<i>Veltheimia capensis</i> Species of flowering plant

Veltheimia capensis is one of two species of flowering plants belonging to the genus Veltheimia, of the family Asparagaceae. It is a tender bulbous perennial reaching a height of 46 cm (18 in), with flowers varying in color from white with red spots to pink with green or red markings.

<i>Phlox carolina</i> Species of flowering plant

Phlox carolina, the thickleaf phlox, is a species of flowering plant in the family Polemoniaceae. It is an herbaceous perennial growing to 1.2 m (4 ft) tall by 45 cm (18 in) wide, with leaves to 13 cm (5 in) long, and purple or pink flowers in summer. The specific epithet carolina refers to its native habitat in the eastern United States. It grows in woodland edges and openings. Flowers attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

<i>Primula pulverulenta</i> Species of flowering plant

Primula pulverulenta, the mealy primrose or mealy cowslip, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae. It is native to damp habitats in China. It is a herbaceous perennial growing to 100 cm (39 in) tall by 60 cm (24 in) broad, with strong stems of deep pink flowers arising from basal rosettes of leaves in early summer. The flowers are grouped at intervals along the stem in a tiered formation, hence the common name "candelabra primula" which is often applied to this and other species with a similar arrangement.

<i>Phlox douglasii</i> Species of flowering plant

Phlox douglasii, common name tufted phlox or Columbia phlox, is a species of perennial herb belonging to the family Polemoniaceae. In the past it has been mistakenly included within the species Phlox caespitosa.

<i>Phlox maculata</i> Species of flowering plant

Phlox maculata, commonly called meadow phlox, as well as wild sweet William and marsh phlox, is a species of flowering plant in the family Polemoniaceae, native the eastern United States and introduced to eastern Canada. It is a perennial.

References

  1. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. "Police sorry for drug raid mix-up". BBC News. BBC. 6 December 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  3. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN   978-1405332965.
  4. "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  5. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN   9781845337315.
  6. 1 2 "Phlox subulata - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  7. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 78. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  8. "Phlox 'Kelly's Eye'". RHS. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  9. "RHS Plant Selector - Phlox subulata 'McDaniel's Cushion'" . Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  10. "Phlox subulata 'Red Winga'". RHS. Retrieved 5 March 2021.

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