Phlox 'RED ADMIRAL' Douglas moss phlox
Symbivit Tric (arbuscular)
Symbivit (arbuscular)Phlox
The genus Phlox belongs to the family Polemoniaceae and includes roughly 65 to 68 species, almost all of them native to North America. Only a single species reaches into north‑eastern Asia, so this is a group that evolved mainly in the American landscape – from tundra and open woodland to wide prairies. The name comes from the Greek phlox, meaning “flame”, a reference to the vivid colours that impressed early botanists. The genus appeared in botanical literature as early as the 17th century, but it was Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) who formally established it in 1753. Earlier authors used different names, such as Plukenet’s Lychnidea from 1696, which shows how unclear the family boundaries were at the time. Because the species grow in such varied habitats, gardeners later gained access to a broad range of plants suited to very different conditions.
Phloxes are hardy and resilient rock‑garden perennials with thin, mostly evergreen, deep‑green leaves and striking colours in mid‑spring.
Red Admiral is a cultivar of Douglas’ phlox, which differs from other ground‑cover types such as subulata by its leaves, which are linear and upright. The flowers appear from late April and have a bright purple colour. The plant forms a low, neat, moss‑like clump.
Last Update 30-04-2012
Moss phlox needs full sun and well‑drained, rather lean soil. Once established, it copes well with long dry spells, handles hot, scorching summers without trouble and does not require regular feeding. It is not fussy about soil pH. It spreads sideways as a low groundcover, so it is practical to cover the surrounding soil with a weed‑control fabric to stop grasses and weeds from growing up through the flowering cushions. After flowering, it is helpful to give the plants a light trim – with hand shears or even a “lawn‑mower style” pass – which keeps them compact and prevents the centre of the clump from opening up. They are extremely hardy, down to about −45 °C (USDA zone 2), and grow well in troughs and outdoor containers.
