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Pruning guide · Perennial
Moss phlox: when and how to prune
Phlox subulata
Moss phlox is best pruned in June.
| Pruning months | June |
|---|---|
| Flowering | April–May |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Moss phlox: when to prune it?
In June, straight after flowering. Otherwise no pruning is needed.
What else to prune in those months? June
Moss phlox: how to prune it?
- Trim the mat lightly with shears, by about a third, just below the faded flowers.
- This keeps the plant compact and reduces bare patches.
- Do not cut deep into bare, woody stems: they are slow to regrow.
- Cut dead patches out of the mat and fill the gaps with some sandy soil.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: June.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Moss phlox flowers in April–May, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
Caution: Do not prune in autumn or spring: you would remove the buds for the next flowering.
Nearby: related pruning guides
- Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata)
- Arends' phlox (Phlox × arendsii)
- Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera)
- Douglas' phlox (Phlox douglasii)
- Meadow phlox (Phlox maculata)
Plant profile: Moss phlox · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.