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Phlox subulata 'Purple Beauty' (Purple Beauty Creeping Phlox)
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© Photo by David J. Stang, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
Perennials

Phlox subulata 'Purple Beauty'

Purple Beauty Creeping Phlox

Polemoniaceae
Garden selection; species native to eastern North America

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitSpreading
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)
Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9
Zone 3Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantFragrant (light)Container Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Phlox subulata 'Purple Beauty' is a creeping moss phlox with the richest purple flower color in the standard creeping phlox palette, forming a mat 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) tall and 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) wide. Rich violet-purple five-petaled flowers 0.75 inch (2 cm) across cover the mat in April and May. The violet-purple is deeper and more saturated than the lavender-blue of 'Emerald Blue', providing the darkest color option among commonly available creeping phlox cultivars. The depth of color adds visual weight to spring plantings and pairs well with lighter-colored companions. Dark green needle-like evergreen foliage year-round. Same cultural needs as all P. subulata: full sun, lean well-drained soil, shear after bloom. Cascades over walls and edges. Deer avoid the needle foliage. Light fragrance.

Native Range

The species Phlox subulata is native to eastern North America. 'Purple Beauty' is a garden selection for deep violet-purple flower color.

Suggested Uses

Used cascading over walls, in rock gardens, and as an evergreen ground cover. The deepest-colored creeping phlox — adds depth to multi-color phlox carpets alongside pink, white, and blue selections.

How to Identify

Identified by rich violet-purple five-petaled flowers on a low mat of dark green needle-like evergreen foliage. The deepest purple in the standard creeping phlox range — darker and more saturated than 'Emerald Blue'. The needle-like leaves and mat-forming habit confirm P. subulata.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 6"
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

violet
purple

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Flowering in April and May, approximately 3 weeks. Rich violet-purple flowers cover the mat.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Rich violet-purple, five-petaled

Foliage Description

Dark green, needle-like, dense, evergreen

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
sandloam
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun. Lean, well-drained soil. Do not fertilize. Water sparingly. Shear lightly after bloom.

Pruning

Shear lightly after bloom.

Pruning Schedule

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summer

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic