can someone identify this ground cover flower?

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by DidoC, May 7, 2007.

  1. DidoC

    DidoC Member

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    My neighbor has these very pretty five-petaled flowers, some pink, some white, edging her borders. This picture is a close-up (if you click to enlarge); each flower itself is about an inch in diameter, and the flowers grow in clumps. I asked the neighbor what it was, but she said alyssum, and I'm pretty sure it's not that. The flowers are blooming right now when my flower plot is pretty much between blooms, so I'd like to identify this and get some for next year.

    I'm in Eastern PA, by the way, zone 6.

    Thanks for your help.
     

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  2. Eric La Fountaine

    Eric La Fountaine Contributor Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Looks like Phlox subulata, which would be in bloom now.
     
  3. DidoC

    DidoC Member

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    Thanks! Browsing around on sites, I see that it's to be planted in June or July, so I can plant some this summer!
     
  4. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Usually one would buy and plant in bloom. You may have read about digging and dividing existing plants in summer, after bloom, if that is what was meant (I don't know if this method is recommended for this particular plant or not). Otherwise, summer is a poor time to plant new stock, due to the heat and droughtiness. Fall is best for hardy plants, after that spring.
     
  5. DidoC

    DidoC Member

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    Thanks for the advice. I was just quoting a date I read on some page (can't find it again) after getting the name. I am a complete gardening newbie; I bought a house with lovely (but thankfully small) gardens and want to learn enough to maintain them. My garden was lovely with daffodils and hyacynths a couple of weeks ago (see below); iris and sedum are coming, but other than a bleeding heart and a few tulips, my little front garden patch is looking barren this week, while across the street, the neighbor has flowers in full bloom--two patches of this phlox and another taller plant. To my regret, I ripped out what I now know are columbine in the front last spring and I guess I got them good because they don't seem to be back this year (the columbine in the backyard are just about to bloom).
     

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  6. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    It's hard to tell from the photo, but is your front garden on the north side of the house?
     
  7. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    The creeping phlox makes an impressive sheet of bloom in spring but is a mat of green the rest of the year. It does not bloom for months at a time. There ARE some other commonly sold perennials that do bloom for an extended period, try asking for these at a nursery.
     
  8. DidoC

    DidoC Member

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    The front garden is on the east side of the house. Lots of sun morning into afternoon. That photo must have been taken fairly late in the day, I guess.
     

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