Phlox, commonly known as thrift or sea pink, is a genus of flowering plants that belong to the Polemoniaceae family. There are around 67 species of phlox, which are native to various regions of North America, Asia, and Europe. The plants are known for their attractive flowers, which come in shades of pink, red, white, and purple.
Phlox can be grown in various soil types, but they prefer well-drained soil rich in organic matter. They also require full sun to partial shade, with some species, such as Phlox divaricata, preferring more shade. They can be propagated by division or from seed, but division is the most common method. Phlox can be prone to powdery mildew, so choose mildew-resistant cultivars and provide good air circulation around the plants.
Phlox plants are mostly herbaceous; they have a soft stem that dies in the winter and re-emerges in the spring. They have long, narrow leaves that grow in a basal rosette, and their flowers form in clusters on tall, thin stems that can reach up to 24 inches in height.
One of the most popular species of phlox is Phlox subulata, commonly known as creeping phlox or moss phlox. This low-growing plant is native to North America and is often used as a ground cover in rock gardens and border plantings. It produces dense mats of evergreen foliage covered in a profusion of small, star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, and purple in the spring.