Skip to main content
Supercharged with flower power and vigor.

Phlox Running with Scissors

A mound of bubblegum pink to white flowers with stunning, square-cut edges completely cover this ground cover phlox with flowers in mid spring.

‘Running With Scissors’ has proven to be a super-charged moss phlox in terms of flower power, vigor, and durability. The 1-inch-wide, light-to-medium violet flowers, large for a moss phlox, are produced for four to six weeks in spring. A light repeat bloom in autumn has been observed for some years. At peak bloom, the plants are 90 to 100 percent covered with flowers. Close up, you can appreciate the flowers’ cleft petals and conspicuous purple striae adjacent to the floral tube. A bonus is the faint but pleasant sweet hay fragrance. Over summer, the lush, dark green foliage reminds us of rosemary.

Please note: We don't sell plants. Asking your local retailer or googling the plant name is the easiest way to find someone selling our plants.

Please note: Download hi-res photos from the photo gallery at the bottom of the page.


Who Am I?

  • Common Name

    Running with Scissors phlox
  • Botanical Name

    Phlox 'Running With Scissors' PP28738
  • Type

    Perennial
  • US Native?

    YES
  • Origin

    This Phlox selection was developed by Dr. Jim Ault at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The selections were developed from crossing Phlox bifida, Phlox borealis (putative, may be P. subulata), Phlox kelseyi, and Phlox subulata. All the parent plants and selections were grown in-ground at the Chicago Botanic Garden (USDA Zone 5b) during the breeding and selection process.

  • Bloom Time

    Spring
  • Bloom Color

    Pink and white

Cultural Details

  • Bloom Time

    Spring
  • Size

    7" tall by 38" wide
  • Hardiness Zone

    4-8
  • Light

    Full sun
  • Soil

    Adaptable to average garden soils.
  • Moisture

    Moist to dry, but sharply drained, especially in winter. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Disease & Pests

    This selection exhibits excellent disease resistance. Phlox subulata selections may be bothered by powdery mildew in situations of excess moisture, relative humidity, and inadequate air circulation, but this has not yet been observed on any of our selections. These are not bothered by insects, and are rarely if ever browsed by rabbits or deer.
  • Landscape Use

    Borders, mass plantings, rock gardens, hanging over a wall, slopes
  • Propagation

    Softwood Cuttings

Available Photos

Hover over images to download hi-res files.