Other Names:  Hybrid Spring Phlox

Group/Class:  Rocky Road Series

Brand:  Walters Gardens

Description:

A vigorous perennial which makes an excellent spring groundcover; absolutely covered in pretty periwinkle blue flowers in mid to late spring, over attractive fine foliage; forms spreading mounds; tough, durable and drought tolerant

Ornamental Features

Rocky Road Periwinkle Phlox is smothered in stunning powder blue star-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems from mid to late spring. Its tiny narrow leaves remain bluish-green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Rocky Road Periwinkle Phlox is a dense herbaceous perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spreading

Rocky Road Periwinkle Phlox is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Rocky Road Periwinkle Phlox will grow to be only 4 inches tall at maturity extending to 6 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 3 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 30 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider covering it with a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.