Phlox subulata McDaniels Cushion

Phlox subulata 'McDaniel's Cushion', is a small evergreen and creeping perennial, which disappears from late spring to early summer under a carpet of bright pink star-shaped flowers. It has fast growth rate and prefers well-drained, rather dry soils, even limestone soil, in full sun or partial shade. When not in bloom, it remains attractive, forming beautiful dark green cushions with fine foliage, in borders and on walls.

Phlox subulata, also known as Moss Phlox, belongs to the Polemoniaceae family. This alpine perennial is native to the central and eastern United States. The 'McDaniel's Cushion' variety forms a compact cushion of evergreen foliage, reaching a height of 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in). This plant can spread on the ground to at least 50 cm (20in) in diameter. The very abundant flowering takes place from May to June, sometimes as early as April depending on the climate, before the arrival of high temperatures and summer drought. The plant is then covered with thousands of small 5-petaled flowers, bright pink in colour, measuring 2 to 3 cm (1in) in diameter. The dense foliage consists of tiny linear leaves, resembling larch needles.

Phlox subulata 'McDaniel's Cushion' is primarily a rockery plant. Once well-established, it tolerates drought fairly well. Plant it in mass plantings, alongside other pink or white varieties, as well as other perennials or sub-shrubs for rockeries such as Teucrium, aubrietas, common thyme, Sedum spurium, or even Silene maritima. Its compact growth also allows it to be grown in pots.