Phlox Stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple'

Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox

Phlox stolonifera ‘Sherwood Purple’ is a low, spreading herbaceous perennial woodland phlox that forms a dense mat of semi-evergreen green foliage. In spring, upright flower stems rise above the foliage with loose clusters of fragrant purple to blue-purple flowers, often with a tiny darker or orange-toned eye. It is especially useful as a shaded groundcover, woodland garden plant, edging plant, or naturalized drift under trees and shrubs. Mt. Cuba Center rated ‘Sherwood Purple’ as one of the top-performing creeping phlox selections in their shade trial, noting its vigorous growth and dense foliage mat.

Type: Herbaceous perennial groundcover
Mature Size: 12–18 in. wide x 4–8 in. tall in bloom; foliage mat usually about 2–3 in. tall
USDA Zones: 3a–8b
Form: Low, spreading, mat-forming groundcover
Light: Part sun to shade; best in partial shade or bright woodland shade
Soil / Water: Average to humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil; tolerates some dry shade once established but performs best with even moisture
Bloom Time / Length: Mid spring to early summer; about 3–4 weeks
Wildlife: Attracts butterflies, bees, early pollinators, and hummingbirds

Features & Landscape Uses: Excellent shade-tolerant groundcover; fragrant purple-blue spring flowers; spreads by stolons to form a carpet; useful under trees, along woodland paths, in shaded borders, on slopes, between stepping stones, and as a spring companion for bulbs, ferns, sedges, hostas, and native woodland plants. Chicago Botanic Garden lists it as hardy in zones 3–8, with purple-blue flowers and flower stems rising to about 8 in. above a low foliage mat.

Care: Plant in partial shade with good drainage and organic matter. Water during dry spells, especially while establishing. Trim lightly after bloom if needed to tidy the planting or control spread. Divide or transplant rooted stolons in spring or early fall. Powdery mildew can appear in humid conditions, but Mt. Cuba Center observed only mild dieback during their trial and noted that plants recovered quickly. 

Plant type

Groundcover, Perennial

Height

4-8''

Width

12-20''

Hardiness zones

3–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Summer, Mid Spring

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Humus rich, Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Erosion control slopes, Groundcover

Shape

Mat forming

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No