Companion Plants for Creeping Phlox: A Guide to Creating a Beautiful Garden

Oleh Anonymous May 30, 2024 Post a Comment

Table of Contents

If you're looking to add some color and texture to your garden, creeping phlox is an excellent choice. This low-growing perennial produces masses of small flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, and blue, and it looks great as a ground cover or trailing over walls and rock gardens.

But while creeping phlox can be stunning on its own, pairing it with other plants can create a truly show-stopping display. In this guide, we'll explore some of the best companion plants for creeping phlox and offer tips on how to create a beautiful garden that will be the envy of all your neighbors.

Companion Plants for Creeping Phlox

Alliums

Alliums are a great companion plant for creeping phlox because they bloom at the same time and have similar growing requirements. These bulbous perennials produce large, round blooms in shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow, and their tall, spiky stems provide an interesting contrast to the low-growing phlox.

Planting tip: Plant allium bulbs in the fall, about 6-8 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun.

Salvia

Salvias are another great companion plant for creeping phlox. They come in a wide range of colors, from deep purples and blues to bright pinks and reds, and their tall, upright growth habit provides a nice contrast to the low, spreading phlox.

Planting tip: Salvias prefer well-drained soil and full sun. They can be planted from seed or purchased as transplants.

Daylilies

Daylilies are a classic garden plant that pairs well with creeping phlox. They produce large, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of orange, yellow, pink, and red, and they bloom for several weeks in mid- to late summer.

Planting tip: Daylilies prefer well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. They can be planted as bare-root plants or purchased as potted transplants.

Clematis

Clematis is a climbing vine that looks great when trained to grow up trellises, arbors, or walls. It produces masses of large, showy flowers in shades of purple, pink, red, and white, and its delicate foliage provides a nice contrast to the coarser leaves of creeping phlox.

Planting tip: Clematis prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It should be planted at least 6 inches away from other plants to allow for adequate air circulation.

Iris

Iris is a beautiful flowering plant that blooms in early to mid-spring, just as creeping phlox is beginning to emerge. It comes in a wide range of colors, from deep purples and blues to bright yellows and whites, and its tall, upright growth habit provides a nice contrast to the low-growing phlox.

Planting tip: Iris prefers well-drained soil and full sun. It should be planted in the fall, about 4-6 inches deep and 12-18 inches apart.

Hostas

Hostas are a popular choice for shady gardens, but they also pair well with creeping phlox in sunny spots. Their large, lush leaves provide a nice contrast to the finer foliage of phlox, and they come in a wide range of colors and patterns.

Planting tip: Hostas prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. They can be planted as bare-root plants or purchased as potted transplants.

Black-Eyed Susans

Black-Eyed Susans are a popular choice for sunny gardens, and they pair well with creeping phlox. Their bright yellow flowers with black centers provide a nice contrast to the pastel shades of phlox, and they bloom for several weeks in mid- to late summer.

Planting tip: Black-Eyed Susans prefer well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. They can be grown from seed or purchased as transplants.

Coreopsis

Coreopsis is a low-growing perennial that produces masses of small, daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. It looks great when planted alongside creeping phlox, and its fine foliage provides a nice contrast to the coarser leaves of phlox.

Planting tip: Coreopsis prefers well-drained soil and full sun. It can be grown from seed or purchased as transplants.

Lavender

Lavender is a fragrant herb that looks great when planted alongside creeping phlox. Its tall, spiky flowers provide a nice contrast to the low-growing phlox, and its aromatic foliage smells wonderful when brushed against.

Planting tip: Lavender prefers well-drained soil and full sun. It can be grown from seed or purchased as transplants.

Roses

Roses are a classic garden plant that pairs well with creeping phlox. They produce large, showy blooms in a wide range of colors and have a long blooming season. Roses also look great when trained to grow up trellises, arbors, or walls.

Planting tip: Roses prefer well-drained soil and full sun. They should be planted in the spring or fall, at least 18 inches apart.

Peonies

Peonies are a beautiful perennial that blooms in mid- to late spring. They come in a wide range of colors, from deep reds and pinks to pure whites, and their large, showy flowers provide a nice contrast to the smaller blooms of creeping phlox.

Planting tip: Peonies prefer well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. They should be planted in the fall, about 2-3 inches deep and 2-3 feet apart.

Phlox Paniculata

Phlox paniculata, also known as garden phlox, is a taller variety of phlox that pairs well with creeping phlox. It produces large, showy flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, and red, and its upright growth habit provides a nice contrast to the low-growing phlox.

Planting tip: Phlox paniculata prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It can be grown from seed or purchased as transplants.

Sedum

Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a low-growing succulent that looks great when planted alongside creeping phlox. Its fleshy leaves and small, star-shaped flowers provide a nice contrast to the finer foliage and blooms of phlox.

Planting tip: Sedum prefers well-drained soil and full sun. It can be grown from seed or purchased as transplants.

Pairing creeping phlox with companion plants can create a stunning garden display that will be the envy of all your neighbors. Whether you choose alliums, salvias, daylilies, clematis, iris, hostas, black-eyed susans, coreopsis, lavender, roses, peonies, phlox paniculata, sedum, or a combination of these plants, be sure to consider their growing requirements and choose plants that will complement each other in terms of color, texture, and form.

FAQs

1. When is the best time to plant companion plants for creeping phlox?

The best time to plant companion plants for creeping phlox depends on the specific plant. Some plants, like alliums and iris, should be planted in the fall, while others, like salvia and black-eyed susans, can be planted in the spring. Be sure to read the planting instructions for each plant before planting.

2. Can I plant creeping phlox with other ground covers?

Yes, creeping phlox can be planted with other ground covers, such as thyme, sedum, or creeping jenny, to create a diverse and interesting ground cover display.

3. How much sun does creeping phlox need?

Creeping phlox prefers full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate some shade, but it may not bloom as prolifically in shady areas.

4. Can I grow these companion plants in containers?

Yes, most of these companion plants can be grown in containers, as long as the container is large enough to accommodate the plant's root system and drainage needs.

5. Do these companion plants require any special care?

Each plant has its own specific care requirements, so be sure to read the planting instructions and care guidelines for each plant before planting. In general, most of these plants prefer well-drained soil and regular watering during dry spells.

Great, let's get ed then! Companion planting is a great way to maximize the benefits of your garden plants by pairing them with other plants that complement their growth and improve soil health. For creeping phlox, there are several plants that make great companions.

One option is to pair creeping phlox with other low-growing groundcovers, like sedum or thyme. These plants have similar growing conditions and can help to fill in any gaps in your garden.

Another option is to plant creeping phlox near taller flowers or shrubs, such as roses or hydrangeas. This creates a beautiful contrast in height and color while also providing some shade and protection from wind for the creeping phlox.

You might also consider adding some herbs to your garden bed with creeping phlox. Herbs like basil or chamomile can attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which can help to pollinate your garden plants and keep pest populations under control.

Overall, there are many different companion plants that can work well with creeping phlox, depending on your specific garden conditions and preferences. I hope this information helps you to create a beautiful and thriving garden! Let me know if you have any other questions. Sure thing! Another great companion plant for creeping phlox is creeping thyme. This aromatic herb has a similar growth habit to creeping phlox and can help to suppress weeds while adding a beautiful fragrance to your garden.

Additionally, planting creeping phlox with other native wildflowers, like black-eyed susans or coneflowers, can create a beautiful natural-looking garden that attracts a variety of pollinators.

If you're looking to add some edible plants to your garden, consider pairing creeping phlox with strawberries or blueberries. These fruiting plants have shallow root systems that won't compete with the creeping phlox, and they also attract bees and other pollinators.

Remember, when choosing companion plants, it's important to consider their individual growing requirements and make sure they are compatible with each other. With a little planning, you can create a beautiful and functional garden full of thriving plants!