Tuesdays with Annie 03 23 10

Yesterday’s brain teaser was an easy question. What is your favorite spring flower? It’s still not too late to answer this one because there isn’t a right or wrong, true or false answer. As promised, I said I would tell you my favorite. Although it is a toss-up because I truly love every spring flower, the one that has the most significance for me is Phlox subulata; common name: Moss Phlox, Moss Pink and Mountain Phlox. My family always called it ground Phlox. There are many cultivars of this early blooming groundcover. This perennial can handle moderately dry conditions, is cold hardy and its masses of various colors ranging from red- purple, violet-purple, pink, or white flowers brighten up any rock garden or perennial border.

This groundcover perennial surrounded me as a child in the springtime. My family’s garden, including my grandparents had mounds of every color growing in their property. There are a few transplanted patches growing in my garden but it doesn’t seem to like our soil or location as much as my mother’s. Even though there were many of the other springtime favorites that were prevalent in our yard like Lilacs, Forsythia and Tulips, the Phlox was always the foundation of our spring display.

Today’s inspirational quote of the day is by Barbara Kingsolver, summing up what is so true about childhood memories. “It's surprising how much memory is built around things unnoticed at the time.” Thanks, RH for the faithful blog reading and your answer – I love crocuses, too.

Photo of my mother's Phlox - Photo by Greg Bilowz
P.S. If you are looking for a website to give you some additional photos to inspire you, this is a great link. http://www.missouriplants.com/Pinkopp/Phlox_subulata_page.html

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