Images Depict Mature Plants
Drummond’s Pink Creeping Phlox
Phlox subulata Drummond's Pink
Drummond’s Pink creeping phlox is one of my favorite “plant it once, enjoy it every spring” groundcovers—tidy green foliage that hugs the ground, then a full-on deep pink bloom carpet that makes slopes, borders, and rock gardens look instantly finished. Give it full sun and sharp drainage, water it well while it’s getting established, then hit it with one quick post-bloom trim and it’ll stay dense and gorgeous for the long haul.
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Drummond’s Pink Creeping Phlox Groundcover For Spring Color
Deep Pink Blooms That Create A Spring Carpet
Drummond’s Pink creeping phlox is a springtime showmaker—low, tidy, and absolutely loaded with deep pink flowers when it blooms. In early through late spring, star-shaped blooms cover the mat in a rich, vibrant pink that reads clearly from a distance and looks even better up close. It’s a simple way to wake up the landscape after winter and add that “designed on purpose” color along the front of beds, around boulders, or cascading over a low wall.
Because the flowers sit right on top of the foliage, the display feels dense and uniform rather than scattered. Plant it in drifts for a true carpet effect, or use it like a ribbon of color along walkways and edging where you want a crisp, cheerful border. After flowering, you’re still left with a neat groundcover—so your planting keeps doing its job even when the bloom show is done.
Evergreen, Ground-Hugging Coverage That Stays Polished
This variety forms a tight, creeping mat of petite, slender green foliage that stays low and clean. At just a few inches tall, it frames beds without blocking neighboring perennials, and it fills the “in-between” spaces that often become weedy or bare. In many gardens, it maintains an evergreen character throughout much of the year, giving you structure and a finished look beyond bloom season.
Once it knits together, it functions like living mulch—shading soil and helping reduce weed pressure in sunny areas. The best long-term performance comes from three basics: full sun, sharp drainage, and one quick trim after flowering. That light shear encourages fresh shoots, improves density, and helps prevent the center from turning woody over time.
Sunny Slopes And Rock Gardens Love This Tough Performer
If you’ve got a sunny slope that’s hard to mow or a rock garden strip that dries fast, Drummond’s Pink is built for the job. It prefers well-drained soil and thrives in dry, average to sandy conditions—exactly the kind of site where many flowering plants struggle. Once established, it handles dry spells well, making it a smart pick for banks, gravelly edges, and sunny problem spots where irrigation isn’t consistent.
On slopes and walls, it offers both function and beauty: its spreading habit helps knit the surface while creating the classic spill-over-stone look. For the strongest start, plant into small, level pockets so water soaks in rather than running off, and keep moisture consistent during establishment. After the first season, it settles into dependable coverage with a big spring payoff.
Low-Maintenance Color With A Simple Post-Bloom Refresh
Drummond’s Pink is easy care in the way gardeners actually want—no complicated pruning schedule and no heavy feeding required. The main routine is a quick shear right after flowering to remove spent blooms and lightly shape the mat. That single step encourages branching, keeps growth dense, and helps the planting stay crisp along borders and paths.
Beyond that, maintenance is minimal. Edge it anytime it creeps beyond its lane, and avoid overwatering once it’s established (creeping phlox dislikes wet feet). In humid climates, good spacing and full sun support airflow and healthier foliage. With sun, drainage, and that quick post-bloom trim, you get a groundcover that looks tidy—and blooms like crazy—year after year.
| Hardiness Zone: | 3-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 4 to 6 inches |
| Mature Width: | 18 to 24 inches |
| Sunlight: | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time / Color | Early through late spring; deep pink |
| Soil Condition: | Prefers dry, average to sandy soil; well-drained |
| Water Requirements: | Water well until established; drought tolerant once established |
| Wildlife Value | Attracts bees and butterflies |
| Resistance | Generally deer resistant; drought tolerant once established |
| Landscape Uses | Mass planting, groundcover, rock gardens, slopes/banks, edging, wall spillover, containers |
How to Care for Drummond’s Pink Creeping Phlox
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Drummond's Pink Creeping Phlox plant for years to come!
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How should I plant Drummond’s Pink Creeping Phlox?
Plant Drummond’s Pink creeping phlox in full sun for the tightest mat and the heaviest bloom coverage. Choose a well-drained site—this groundcover thrives where water moves through the root zone instead of sitting around the crown. Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball and set the plant so the crown sits level with the surrounding soil. Backfill, firm gently, and water deeply to settle roots. Keep mulch light and pulled back from the crown so stems don’t stay overly damp. On slopes, plant into small leveled pockets and press soil in well so roots make immediate contact and can anchor quickly.
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How often should I water Drummond’s Pink Creeping Phlox after planting?
For the first 2–3 weeks, water every 2–3 days so the root zone stays evenly moist but not soggy (more often during heat, wind, or sandy conditions). After that, transition to deep watering about once per week, adjusting for rainfall and how quickly your soil drains. Once established, Drummond’s Pink is fairly drought tolerant, but it looks best when it isn’t stressed during spring growth and bloom. For the densest mat and cleanest flower show, avoid letting it go bone-dry for long stretches during its first growing season.
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When should I fertilize Drummond’s Pink Creeping Phlox?
Feed lightly in early spring as new growth begins, using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a thin top-dressing of compost. Creeping phlox does not need heavy feeding, and too much nitrogen can encourage foliage at the expense of flowers. If your soil is very lean or you’re growing it in containers, a modest follow-up feeding after bloom can support fresh regrowth. Keep fertility moderate—full sun and sharp drainage do more for long-term performance than extra fertilizer.
When and how should I prune Drummond’s Pink Creeping Phlox?
Trim Drummond’s Pink creeping phlox right after flowering. A quick shear to remove spent blooms and lightly shape the mat encourages branching and keeps the plant dense, fresh-looking, and less likely to get woody in the center. You can also tidy edges anytime during the growing season if it creeps beyond a border line. If older patches look thin, selectively trim back a portion after bloom to stimulate new shoots and refresh the planting.
