Well, hello there! Let me tell ya somethin’ ’bout them flowers, the creepin’ phlox, ya know? Folks call ’em that, I just call ’em pretty ground cover. They sure do make a yard look nice, all spread out and colorful. But, just like us old folks need good company, them flowers need friends too! That’s what they call “companion plants”, fancy, huh?
First off, let’s talk ’bout sunnin’ themselves. These here creepin’ phlox, they love the sun, just like I love sittin’ on the porch swing in the afternoon. So, when you’re thinkin’ ’bout what to plant with ’em, you gotta make sure them other plants ain’t gonna hog all the sunshine. No shade makers allowed! You want everyone gettin’ a good dose of that warm sunshine.
- Sedum, that’s a good one. Folks also call it stonecrop. It’s like the phlox’s best buddy. They both like the sun and they don’t fight over water neither. Plus, they look mighty purdy together, all different shapes and colors. It’s like a party in your flower bed!
- Then there’s them little Thyme plants. Smell so good when you walk by, and they keep the weeds down. Ain’t nobody got time for weedin’, especially not this old lady! Thyme creeps along the ground just like the phlox, so they ain’t fightin’ for space. It’s all peaceful-like.
- And don’t forget them Alliums! You know, the onion-y lookin’ things. Keeps the bugs away, they do. Them creepin’ phlox, they don’t like bugs botherin’ ’em, just like I don’t like flies buzzin’ around my head when I’m tryin’ to take a nap. So, plantin’ some alliums nearby is like havin’ a little security guard for your flowers. Smart, huh?
Now, when you’re plantin’ these here friends together, you gotta give ’em some space. Don’t go crammin’ ’em in like sardines in a can. They need room to breathe and grow, just like we do. Give ’em a little elbow room, and they’ll be happy as clams. And happy plants make for a pretty yard, that’s what I always say.
Another thing to remember is the water. You don’t wanna drown them pretty things, and you don’t wanna let ‘em dry out neither. It’s like bakin’ a cake, gotta get it just right. Them creepin’ phlox, they like the ground kinda moist, but not soakin’ wet. So, when you’re waterin’, make sure the water goes down deep, so the roots can get a good drink. And don’t go waterin’ in the middle of the day, when the sun’s beatin’ down. That’s just wastin’ water and makin’ the plants all steamy and unhappy. Water in the mornin’ or evenin’, that’s the best time.
And listen here, if you wanna bring in them bees and butterflies, plantin’ creepin’ phlox is a good start. Them little critters, they love the flowers, and they help spread the pollen around, makin’ more flowers. It’s the circle of life, like that Lion King movie my grandkids are always watchin’. But you can help ‘em out even more by plantin’ some other flowers that them bees and butterflies like. Stuff like lavender, or maybe some coneflowers. The more the merrier, I say!
So, there you have it. A few ideas for plantin’ with them creepin’ phlox. Just remember, give ‘em sun, give ‘em space, give ‘em water, and give ‘em some friends. And they’ll make your yard look mighty fine, you’ll see. Just like a good quilt, all them different colors and textures, workin’ together to make somethin’ beautiful. That’s what gardenin’ is all about, makin’ somethin’ beautiful out of nothin’. And that, my friend, is a good thing.
And one last thing, don’t be afraid to experiment. That’s how you learn. Try plantin’ different things together and see what works. Sometimes you’ll be surprised. And if somethin’ don’t work, well, you just try somethin’ else. That’s life, ain’t it? Just keep on tryin’, and eventually you’ll find somethin’ that makes you happy. And that’s all that matters in the end.
Tags: [Creeping Phlox, Companion Plants, Sedum, Thyme, Alliums, Sun-loving plants, Pollinator garden, Garden tips, Flower bed, Groundcover]
