Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Violet Pinwheels Creeping Phlox: A Spring Carpet at Lavender's Feet
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Violet Pinwheels creeping phlox earns its name in a breeze. Its small flowers have five notched petals that curl upward and twist slightly, like tiny whirligigs, in a saturated, glowing violet purple. They cover the plant so densely in spring that you can barely see the needle-like leaves underneath.
It grows only 4 to 5 inches tall and spreads slowly into a restrained mat, more controlled than many creeping phlox.
Violet Pinwheels at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Phlox 'Violet Pinwheels' |
| Flowers | Intense violet purple, upturned twisted petals |
| Foliage | Tiny, needle-like, green; bronzes or stays green in winter |
| Size | 4 to 5 inches tall, 24 to 36 inches wide |
| Bloom | Late April into mid-May |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Wildlife | Butterflies and bees visit; moderately deer resistant |
A spring opener for the lavender bed
Lavender beds look a little plain in spring, when the plants are still gray-green mounds waiting for June. Violet Pinwheels fixes that. Planted along the front edge, it lays down a vivid violet ribbon in late April and May, weeks before the lavender opens. By the time the lavender spikes color up, the phlox has gone back to being a neat green mat at their feet.
The two get along underground too. Both want full sun and sharp drainage, both tolerate dry spells and both dislike soggy ground. The one rule: keep the phlox mat from creeping up against lavender crowns, so air can still move around the base of each lavender plant. Its slow, restrained spread makes that easy. Plan the edge in the Companion Plant Planner.
Where else it shines
- Rock gardens: it drapes over stones and fills gaps.
- Slopes: the mat helps hold soil on sunny banks.
- Walls and containers: it spills nicely over an edge.
Care through the year
- After bloom: shear the mat back by about a third to keep it dense and tidy.
- Summer: water occasionally in very hot, dry spells so it does not brown out.
- Humidity: dense, wet mats can brown in the center. Avoid overhead watering and crowding.
- Winter: sharp drainage matters more than mulch. Do not pile leaves or mulch on the mat.
- Spring: trim out any winter-browned patches before bloom.
It was selected for resistance to powdery mildew. Spider mites may show up in hot, dry weather.
About the plug tray
Violet Pinwheels is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray, a good amount for edging long beds or covering a sunny slope. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Will it take over the garden?
No. It spreads slowly into a mat 2 to 3 feet wide and is more restrained than many creeping phlox.
Does it have a scent?
The flowers have a faint, sweet scent you will notice up close.
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