Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox

Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple'

American Beauties®

Sherwood Purple Spreads Via Rooting Stolons, Creating Self-Sustaining Lavender Carpets Year After Year
Thrives in Zones 3-9
Grows 1 ft Tall and Wide
Showy Purple Blooms From Late Spring to Late Summer
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Pollution Tolerant

$33³⁷

Shipping calculated at checkout.

In Stock

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This groundcover performs best in full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct light daily. While it can handle dappled shade in the afternoon, you will notice fewer flowers and a less dense "carpet" effect if it stays in the dark too long.
Soil: Aim for sharp drainage to prevent root rot. If you have heavy clay, mix in organic compost or aged bark to create air pockets, or plant it on a slight mound so water flows away from the crown.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, provide about one inch of water per week to help the roots knit into your soil. Once mature, Sherwood Purple is quite drought tolerant, though a lack of water during extreme summer heat can cause the foliage to turn brittle or brown. Consistent moisture during the spring bud development ensures the most vibrant display of purple blooms.

Pruning Tips

Because this phlox blooms on old wood from the previous year, you should only prune immediately after the flowers fade in late spring. Use garden shears to give it a light "haircut," removing about one third of the height to encourage fresh, green growth and a tighter habit. Pruning too late in the summer or fall will remove next year's flower buds, leaving you with a green but bloomless patch.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer early in the spring just as new growth appears to fuel the upcoming bloom cycle. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this encourages tender green growth that can be easily damaged by the first hard frost. A single application of a general purpose granular food is usually all this vigorous grower needs to thrive.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Flowering, Evergreen, Groundcover, Slopes/Erosion Control, Deer-resistant, Attracts pollinators, Attracts Butterflies, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Compact/Dwarf, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	1 ft
Width	1 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Compact, Spreading
Blooms In	Spring, Summer
Flower Color	Purple
Foliage Color	Green
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Phlox
Botanical Name	Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple'
Species	stolonifera
Cultivar	Sherwood Purple
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Looking for a groundcover that paints the garden floor with color? Meet Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple')! Also called Carpet Phlox, Woodland Phlox, and Spreading Phlox, this herbaceous perennial is a garden favorite, forming lush carpets of lavender-purple blooms in spring. At just 8 inches tall and spreading to 12 inches wide, it's a low-growing perennial that perfumes the air with a delicate, sweet fragrance while filling tricky spaces with waves of soft color.

This variety of Creeping Phlox isn't just about flowers - it's about texture, too. The semi-evergreen foliage is mat-forming, with small, lance-shaped leaves that remain green even in winter. Each spring, its creeping stems burst into a blanket of color, making it one of the most reliable rebloomers in shady woodland-style borders. The plant grows in a tidy, spreading habit, creating a soft, natural look while doubling as erosion control on slopes and banks.

Key Features

Known as Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox, Carpet Phlox, Woodland Phlox, and Spreading Phlox. Symbolically, Phlox flowers are tied to harmony and partnership, making them a sweet addition to sentimental garden spaces.

Herbaceous perennial groundcover
Lavender-purple flowers in spring with a sweet fragrance
Semi-evergreen, mat-forming foliage with creeping stems
Wonderfully pollinator-friendly
Native to eastern North America

Landscaping Uses

Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox is perfect for softening spaces, spilling over rock walls, or blanketing shady garden areas. Staying compact at 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide, it thrives as a filler or carpet of color.

Native to the eastern woodlands of North America, Creeping Phlox has a long history of being treasured in cottage gardens and naturalized landscapes. Belonging to the Polemoniaceae family, it's a cousin of Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) and Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata), making it a versatile player in the Phlox family lineup.

Woodland gardens and shady borders
Rock gardens and slopes for erosion control
Edging pathways and flower beds
Naturalized plantings under trees
Living mulch around shrubs and taller perennials

Care & Maintenance

Hardy in USDA planting zones 3 - 9, Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox is a resilient perennial groundcover that handles both cold winters and humid summers. It's low-maintenance, semi-evergreen, and tough-as-nails once established.

Planting Time: Best in spring or fall for strong root establishment
Sun Requirements: Part shade to full shade, tolerates morning sun
Soil Requirements: Moist, rich, well-drained soils; tolerates clay and organic matter-rich woodland soil
Moisture Needs: Keep evenly moist, especially the first year; use the Finger Test to check soil moisture
Arborist Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch or bark chips around the base to protect roots - learn how and why to mulch
Fertilization Needs: Compost or a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring boosts growth and blooms
Pruning Info: Shear lightly after flowering to encourage fresh foliage and tidy growth - also encourages thicker mats of blooms the next season. Deadheading is optional but beneficial.
Division Info: Divide clumps every 3-4 years to maintain vigor and spread
Special Perks: Deer and rabbit-resistant, erosion-controlling, shade-tolerant, semi-evergreen, low-maintenance, cold-hardy

Don't forget to order your Nature Hills Root Booster for lifelong mycorrhizal symbiotic root support.

Purple Power That Creeps With Ease

If you want a carpet of color that thrives in tricky spots, Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox is a must. It's a pollinator-friendly, shade-loving, and fragrant groundcover that pulls double duty as erosion control. Order your Sherwood Purple Phlox and start enjoying effortless beauty today from NatureHills.com!

Free shipping

On all orders over $199
Plant Sentry™

Compliant guaranteed
Easy returns

Hassle free returns policy
Live Chat

Talk to a real person

Frequently Asked Questions

What planting zones is Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox hardy in?

Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox is hardy in USDA zones 3-9. This native eastern North American perennial tolerates both cold winters and warm summers across most of the continental US. Plant it in partial shade for best spring blooms.

How tall and wide does Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox grow at maturity?

Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox reaches 8 inches tall and spreads 12 inches wide at maturity. This compact size makes it ideal for filling small spaces, edging pathways, or cascading over rock walls without overwhelming nearby plants.

What type of soil does Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox prefer?

Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox thrives in well-draining, humus-rich soil that mimics its native eastern woodland habitat. This woodland native prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH and benefits from organic matter. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot while maintaining consistent moisture.

When does this variety bloom and how long do the flowers last?

Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox blooms in spring with lavender-purple flowers that typically last 4-6 weeks. As a reliable rebloomer, it may produce additional flushes of color throughout the growing season. Plant in partial shade for the longest-lasting spring display.

What shade of purple are the Sherwood Purple flowers?

Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox produces lavender-purple blooms that create soft waves of color across your garden floor. The delicate shade works beautifully in woodland settings and pairs well with other spring perennials. Shop at Nature Hills for this fragrant groundcover.

Sherwood Purple Creeping Phlox

Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple'