Botanical Name: Phlox subulata Spring® ‘Scarlet’

Common Name: Creeping Phlox, Moss Phlox

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in USDA Zones 3–9

Size: 4–6" Tall × 18–24" Spread

Growth Habit: Low-Growing, Dense, Mat-Forming, Spreading Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun

Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Sandy or Rocky Conditions

Water Needs: Low Once Established; Drought Tolerant

Bloom Season: Early to Mid Spring

Fertilizer: Light Feeding in Spring; Avoid Excess Fertility

Features: Vivid Scarlet-Red Flowers, Evergreen Needle-Like Foliage, Extremely High Color Impact, Excellent Groundcover, Deer Resistant

Uses: Accent Groundcover, Slopes, Rock Gardens, Borders, Edging, Walls & Pathways

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Permitted

See our complete Creeping Phlox Plant Guide for full care details.

More About Phlox Spring® ‘Scarlet’

Phlox Spring® ‘Scarlet’ is the boldest and most energetic creeping phlox in this lineup, prized for its intense red blooms that deliver immediate visual impact in early spring. When in full bloom, the plant produces a solid blanket of fiery color that stands out sharply against stone, mulch, and emerging perennials. Unlike softer pinks or cooler blues, Spring® Scarlet is designed to be seen, making it an excellent choice for focal areas, slopes, or entry points where early-season color matters most.

After flowering, Spring® Scarlet settles into a dense mat of evergreen, needle-like foliage that continues to provide structure and erosion control throughout the year. The growth habit remains low and uniform, helping it hold clean edges and defined lines in the landscape. While its bloom color is intense, the plant itself stays controlled and well-behaved, maintaining a polished look even outside of peak flowering.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, Spring® Scarlet has consistently proven to be one of the most vigorous and eye-catching creeping phlox selections. It thrives in full sun and performs especially well in fast-draining soils, rocky slopes, and challenging areas where durability is essential. Once established, it handles drought well and maintains strong flowering without requiring frequent feeding or intervention.

We particularly value Spring® Scarlet for its ability to energize spring landscapes when little else is in bloom. Its natural deer resistance, dependable flowering window, and strong garden presence make it an ideal choice for gardeners who want maximum early-season color without sacrificing reliability or ease of care.

Spring Scarlet vs. Other Creeping Phlox

Spring® Scarlet delivers the most intensity in the lineup, producing vivid red blooms that immediately command attention. Another intense variety of Creeping Phlox is Purple Beauty, though Scarlet is hotter and more energetic, trading versatility for impact. Compared to Amazing Grace, Spring® Scarlet is significantly bolder and far less restrained, delivering intense red color that commands attention rather than quietly supporting surrounding plants. While Amazing Grace works beautifully as a soft backdrop, Spring® Scarlet is best used as a visual accent where strong contrast and early-season impact are desired. 

Compared to Emerald Blue and Emerald Pink, Spring® Scarlet delivers a much stronger visual punch, with vivid red blooms that immediately stand out in the early-spring landscape. Where the Emerald selections create calm, cohesive sweeps of color, Spring Scarlet brings energy and intensity, making it the better choice when early-season impact and warmth are the priority. For gardeners looking to inject energy, warmth, and unmistakable presence into the landscape at the very start of spring, Spring Scarlet is the clear choice.