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Phlox Scarlet Flame
Phlox subulata 'Scarlet Flame'
Scarlet Flame creeping phlox is one of my favorite “small plant, big impact” groundcovers—an evergreen mat that stays tidy, then a blaze of scarlet-red spring blooms that makes slopes, borders, and rock gardens look like they were professionally designed. I love it spilling over stone walls where the color really pops, and it stays looking sharp with one simple post-bloom trim.
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Scarlet Flame Creeping Phlox Groundcover For Red Spring Color
Flaming Scarlet Spring Blooms That Carpet The Garden
Scarlet Flame creeping phlox is a spring showstopper, built for gardeners who want maximum color in a low, polished package. In mid-spring, star-shaped blooms open in vibrant scarlet-red with a slightly darker eye, creating a bold blanket of color that reads from the curb and looks even better up close. When planted in groups, the bloom coverage is dense enough to feel like a living rug—perfect for waking up borders, front beds, and rock gardens after winter’s long pause.
This variety is also a smart choice when you want spring color with a “finished” look. The flowers sit right on top of the foliage, so the display feels intentional rather than leggy or scattered. Pair it with bulbs (daffodils, tulips, alliums) or let it carry a bed edge on its own. Either way, it delivers that early-season payoff that makes the whole landscape feel refreshed.
Evergreen Mat That Keeps Edges Clean And Beds Looking Finished
Beyond the bloom show, Scarlet Flame forms a tidy, ground-hugging mat of fine, needle-like green foliage. It stays low—typically just a few inches tall—so it frames beds without blocking neighboring perennials or hiding smaller plants. In many gardens, it maintains an evergreen character throughout much of the year, even in colder winters, and rebounds quickly with fresh growth when spring arrives.
Once it knits together, it acts like living mulch, shading soil and reducing weed pressure along borders and in sunny problem spots. The secret to keeping it lush over time is simple: bright sun, sharp drainage, and one quick trim after flowering. That post-bloom shear encourages branching, helps prevent woody centers, and keeps the planting looking crisp and dense year after year.
Sun-Loving Coverage For Slopes, Banks, And Rock Gardens
If you have a slope that’s hard to mow, a gravelly strip that dries out fast, or a rock garden where many plants struggle, Scarlet Flame creeping phlox is in its element. It prefers well-drained soil (average to sandy/gravelly is ideal) and, once established, tolerates dry spells better than many flowering groundcovers. That makes it a practical, high-impact choice for tough sunny real estate.
On banks and walls, it delivers both function and beauty: the spreading habit helps stabilize surface soil while creating that classic cascading look as stems drape over stone. For the best start, plant in small, level pockets so water can soak in rather than run off, then water deeply during establishment. After the first season, it settles into dependable performance with minimal fuss.
Low-Maintenance Color With A Simple Post-Bloom Refresh
Scarlet Flame is easy care in the way gardeners actually want—no complicated pruning schedules 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 one step keeps growth dense, encourages fresh shoots, and helps the plant maintain a clean outline along walkways and bed edges.
It’s also easy to “edit” in the landscape. If it creeps beyond its lane, trim the edges whenever needed to keep the lines crisp. In very hot, dry sites, occasional deep watering during extended drought helps foliage stay fresher, and good spacing improves airflow in humid climates. With those basics in place, you get a long-lived, designer-friendly groundcover that delivers big spring color without demanding constant attention.
| Hardiness Zone: | 3-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 4 to 6 inches |
| Mature Width: | 18 to 24 inches |
| Sunlight: | Full sun (tolerates light shade/partial sun) |
| Bloom Time / Color | Mid-spring (often Apr–May); scarlet-red with darker eye |
| Soil Condition: | Well-drained; average to sandy/gravelly; rock-garden friendly |
| 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 | Edging, rock gardens, slopes/banks, wall spillover, groundcover carpets, containers |
How to Care for Phlox Scarlet Flame
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Scarlet Flame Creeping Phlox plant for years to come!
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How should I plant Scarlet Flame Creeping Phlox?
Plant Scarlet Flame creeping phlox in full sun for the tightest mat and the heaviest bloom coverage. Choose a spot with well-drained soil; this plant thrives where water moves through the root zone rather than pooling around the crown. Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball and set the crown level with the surrounding soil surface. Backfill, firm gently, and water deeply to settle the roots. Mulch lightly to reduce weeds, but keep mulch pulled back from the crown so stems don’t stay overly damp. On slopes, plant into small level pockets and press soil in well so roots have immediate contact and can anchor quickly.
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How often should I water Scarlet Flame Creeping Phlox after planting?
For the first 2–3 weeks, water every 2–3 days (or more often during heat and wind) to keep the root zone evenly moist but not soggy. After that, transition to deep watering about once per week, adjusting for rainfall and soil type; sandy soils dry faster and may need more frequent watering. Once established, Scarlet Flame is fairly drought tolerant, but it looks best when it isn’t stressed during spring growth and bloom. If you want 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 Scarlet Flame 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 push leafy growth 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—sun and drainage matter more than extra fertilizer for long-term performance.
When and how should I prune Scarlet Flame Creeping Phlox?
Trim Scarlet Flame 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—this simple “reset” keeps coverage lush over time.
