Purple Beauty - Creeping Phlox

‘Purple Beauty’ is a compact, mat-forming selection of creeping phlox with evergreen, needle-like foliage and a spring carpet of vivid purple flowers. Its low profile makes it useful along path edges, at the front of a border, in rock gardens, and on sunny slopes. ## Growing conditions Plant it in sun or light filtered shade in well-drained soil; sandy or gravelly ground suits it, and good drainage is important. The exact-selection listing gives a mature height of 2–6 inches, a width of 12–24 inches, and USDA zones 3a–9a. A second cultivar profile describes a 4–6 inch mat that spreads about 12–18 inches. Drought tolerance develops after establishment. [SiteOne cultivar profile](https://www.siteone.com/en/76889b-phlox-subulata-purple-beauty-phlox/p/573238) · [Gardenia cultivar profile](https://www.gardenia.net/plant/phlox-subulata-purple-beauty-creeping-phlox/1000) Flowers cover the foliage in mid to late spring, usually for several weeks. Leave enough room for the mat to widen, but use edging where it would spill into a path or neighboring planting. The evergreen leaves continue to provide a low green ground layer after flowering. ## Maintenance Water new plants while they establish, then water during extended dry spells. Shear lightly after flowering if you want a neater outline and fresh growth; avoid cutting into old woody stems.