Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Rose Quartz Creeping Phlox: Big Pink Flowers, Early Spring
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Rose Quartz creeping phlox has some of the biggest flowers in the group, 1 to 1.25 inches across, in a medium rose pink between soft pink and ruby, with lighter centers. It is also one of the first to bloom, opening in mid-April and covering the plant so thoroughly that the needle-like leaves disappear for weeks.
Rose Quartz at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Phlox subulata 'Rose Quartz' |
| Flowers | Rose pink with lighter centers, 1 to 1.25 inches |
| Foliage | Bright green, shiny, needle-like |
| Size | 4 to 8 inches tall, 24 to 28 inches wide with age |
| Bloom | Mid to late April, for up to six weeks |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Deer | Moderately resistant |
The first color in the lavender bed
In a Great Lakes April, lavender is just waking up and most of the garden is brown. Rose Quartz is already in full bloom. Planted along the edge of a lavender bed, it gives you a thick cushion of pink at the very start of the season, and its bloom can stretch up to six weeks. By the time lavender buds up in June, the phlox has settled into a neat green edging.
It handles the same sun and drainage as lavender. For the first couple of years it holds a tidy mounded shape, then spreads wider, up to about 28 inches, so give it room at the front of the bed and keep it from creeping under lavender crowns. Plan the edging in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun in average, well-drained soil.
- Water: regularly while young; afterward, during long dry spells so the mat does not brown out.
- After bloom: shear lightly to keep the plant dense.
- Mildew: it was selected for excellent powdery mildew resistance, which helps it look good later into spring than older types.
- Problems: rot in wet, heavy soil and spider mites in hot, dry weather.
Winter care
Rose Quartz is hardy in Michigan, and its foliage stays green or bronzes through winter. Drainage protects it far better than mulch does. Rake leaves off the mat in fall, skip the winter mulch and trim any browned patches in spring.
Where else it shines
Beyond lavender beds, it is a natural for rock gardens, sunny slopes and the tops of retaining walls, where the flowers can spill over the edge. Bees and butterflies visit it early in the year, when food is scarce.
Frequently asked questions
How is it different from other creeping phlox?
The flowers are larger than typical, it blooms early, and it holds a mounded shape for its first couple of years before spreading.
How is it offered?
As a full 72-cell plug tray, ideal for edging long beds. See the product page for current availability.
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