There are many ways to entice hummingbirds to visit your garden. You can purchase a hummingbird feeder or even make a DIY the perfect one from your recycling bin. Adding hummingbird-friendly plants is always a good idea for bringing these fierce fliers to your outdoor space. To make your yard appealing to more hummingbirds, its ideal to offer multiple food sources. Spread feeders and plants around your yard to give these lovely creatures more spots to eat without competition.
One great plant to draw in hummingbirds is through tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata). It grows best in the ground, but you can also hang planters with it for a beautiful look that hummingbirds will love. Dont confuse this flower for growing a creeping phlox plant. While creeping phlox looks great as a ground cover, tall garden phlox grows straight up and can reach heights of 30 to 40 inches, depending on the type. If you want to hang plants, choose the tiniest varieties, like Starfire, which has bright red flowers, or Franz Schubert garden phlox, which is a lilac color.
Hanging baskets overflowing with colorful flowers are a charming addition to any outdoor space. For a low-maintenance basket that will put on a spectacular floral display, look no further than creeping phlox. With its carpeting habit and loads of pretty blooms, this plant is ideal for spilling attractively over basket edges.
Why Creeping Phlox Thrives in Hanging Baskets
Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata), also called moss phlox or mountain phlox, is a ground cover phlox native to North America. It grows just 4-6 inches tall but spreads vigorously, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets. Here’s why it succeeds:
- Trailing growth habit naturally spills over basket sides
- Tolerates some dryness once established, reducing watering needs
- Blooms profusely in spring and intermittently after shearing
- Requires minimal care and fertilizing
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Cold hardy in zones 3-9
With bright pink, purple, blue or white flowers and good foliage coverage, creeping phlox guarantees your hanging baskets will make a statement!
Getting Started with Creeping Phlox
You can find potted creeping phlox plants at local nurseries in early spring. Choose young, vigorously growing plants showing no signs of pests or disease. Or start your own plants indoors from seed 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost.
Select a hanging basket at least 10-12 inches wide and deep Make sure it has good drainage holes Use a quality potting mix designed for containers and hanging baskets. Plant three phlox plants spaced evenly around the basket’s edge. Water thoroughly after planting.
Caring for Creeping Phlox Baskets
- Site in full sun for best flowering
- Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry
- Apply balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season
- Prune lightly after initial spring flowering to encourage new blooms
- Cut back by half in late fall to maintain compact growth
Overwintering Creeping Phlox Baskets
In zones 3-6. creeping phlox will survive winter in a hanging basket if given protection
- Move basket to an unheated garage or porch before frost
- Remove dead leaves and stems
- Pack basket tightly with shredded leaves, straw, or evergreen branches
- Keep just moist enough to prevent drying out
- Repot in fresh mix in early spring
In warmer zones, creeping phlox may remain evergreen in a sheltered location. Prune lightly in late winter to shape growth.
Troubleshooting Issues
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Poor flowering – Usually due to insufficient sunlight. Move basket to the sunniest spot possible.
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Leggy growth – Prune regularly to encourage bushiness. Can indicate too much shade or nitrogen fertilizer.
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Wilting – Water more frequently and check roots for rot. Improve drainage if needed.
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Pests – Watch for aphids and spider mites. Control with insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays.
Designing with Creeping Phlox Baskets
The bright flowers and trailing foliage of creeping phlox baskets add a pop of color and texture. Display them:
- On a covered porch or patio
- Flanking doorways
- Along walkways and entry paths
- Paired on either side of bench or steps
- Against house foundations or fences
- On balcony and deck railings
For maximum impact, group three matching baskets together. Or combine creeping phlox with spiral ivy geraniums or flowering calibrachoa. Let your creativity run wild!
From its carpeting habit to prolifically blooming flowers, creeping phlox is tailor-made for cascading beautifully from hanging baskets. With proper care, your phlox basket will flourish for years. The vibrant hues will draw attention while the draping foliage softens hard edges. Give creeping phlox a try this spring – your hanging baskets will thank you!
Beautiful benefits of tall garden phlox
There are a lot of different kinds of garden phlox, so you can find one that fits your color scheme. This plant comes in colors like white, orange, and purple, but if you want to attract hummingbirds, red is the best color. It doesn’t matter what color the plant is; hummingbirds are most likely to visit red blooms because that means there is a lot of nectar there. Also, the pigments in their cones help them see red flowers better than flowers of other colors. Still, if red isn’t your thing, hummingbirds and many other helpful insects, like bees and butterflies, will visit flowers of all colors.
Garden phlox blooms at different times depending on the type and where it is planted. Most types bloom in mid- to late summer when many other flowers begin to fade in the heat. Again, this depends on the type of plant, but these plants usually have nectar available for about two months.
RIverbend Nursery Plant Premiere Week 13-Quart Creeping Phlox
FAQ
Can you plant creeping phlox in a hanging basket?
What are the downsides of creeping phlox?
Does creeping phlox like sun or shade?