McDaniel's Cushion Moss Phlox Plants

Phlox subulata 'McDaniel's Cushion'

McDaniel's Cushion is a vigorous, low-growing, mat-forming rock Phlox that is covered in bright, purple-pink flowers from April through to June. The evergreen foliage looks quite like moss from a short distance.

Browse our other alpine plants, or have a look at Candy Stripe Phlox.

Features

• Purple-pink flowers
• Evergreen, moss-like foliage
• Flowering: Apr-Jun
• Height x Spread: 15 x 60cm
• Spacing: 20cm
• Ideal for rockeries & pots.
• Good ground cover & informal edging.
• Hardy
• RHS Award of Garden Merit

Growing 'McDaniel's Cushion' Phlox

Phlox subulata loves well-drained soil that has plenty of leaf mould and/or compost, and it will be fine on sandy soil or sharply drained rockeries without much help once it is established. It needs plenty of sun to produce the full force of the flower display, but otherwise it will be fine in partial shade.

They always look best planted in groups of at least three, spaced 20cm apart, where they will push against each other into a lush, solid mass.

Trim the plants lightly after flowering to keep them bushy.

To propagate it, simply tease away rooted pieces of the plant (known as Irishman's cuttings) from the edge of the parent clump in spring and re-plant in pots of compost to grow them on.

In Your Garden Design

This is a plant that is decidedly compact in stature, so looks wonderful carpeting the top of a low wall or in a rockery. Team with other alpines and miniature irises and narcissi.

Did You Know?

Phlox subulata, the creeping or moss phlox, is a native of central and eastern USA.