Hummingbirds And Butterflies Will Flock To Your Yard For This Colorful Groundcover Plant

Spotting a colorful critter in your garden is such a delight, and you might assume that you have to work hard to attract their attention. But many low-maintenance plants attract both hummingbirds and butterflies. One easy-to-grow native groundcover that's popular with these creatures and turns into a gorgeous carpet of flowers in the spring is creeping phlox.

Also known as moss phlox, creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is a perennial plant that spreads along the ground in a dense mat. It usually grows about 6 inches tall and is native to the central and eastern United States. Its pink, white, or purple blooms explode in the spring, and some will remain on the plant until the first frost of the year.

Each creeping phlox plant can produce hundreds of flowers, and each one of those flowers is rich in nectar. For butterflies, this is an ideal food source in the early spring, and it also helps hummingbirds keep up with their high energy needs. Moreover, the tubular shape of the flowers is hummingbird-friendly because the shape of their beaks can get deep inside. Since hummingbirds are especially attracted to red and vividly colored flowers, you may want to try planting a creeping phlox variety that is closer to that color range, such as the deep pink 'Atropurpurea' or bright violet 'Fort Hill.'

Creeping phlox can easily deal with both frigid winters and scorching summers. It's suitable to grow year-round in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9 — in other words, most of the mainland US — and it's adaptable to a range of conditions. While it can tolerate light shade, it's best to plant it in full or dappled sun, particularly for butterfly-attracting purposes. It naturally grows in dry, rocky, or sandy areas, but the most important factor is that the soil is well-draining, as creeping phlox can easily develop crown rot.

Rather than growing creeping phlox from seed, the most common method is to buy plants from a nursery or garden center. To save some money, you can get away with planting a few smaller plants initially, as this plant will quickly grow and spread on its own. Plant in the spring or early summer and keep the plants well-watered until they're established. After that, they don't need any supplemental water unless your region goes through an extensive drought. Fertilizing just once a year in early spring is sufficient.

Deadheading creeping phlox will prolong the flowering period. After the show is over, cut the stems back by half; you can do this with a mower set to a high level to save time. Don't be shy about cutting creeping phlox back, as it can grow very vigorously and will not suffer from the haircut. In addition to attracting butterflies and hummingbirds, wherever you grow creeping phlox, weeds are unlikely to be an issue.