Phlox subulata 'Candy stripes'

Perennial of the Polemoniaceae family, this cultivar of Phlox subulata shares the North American origin of the species, confined to rocky outcrops, sandy slopes, and dry edges of the eastern United States. 'Candy Stripes' stands out at first glance from all other cultivars of the species by its unique floral pattern among common rock garden phlox.

It forms a dense and regular carpet 8 to 12 cm in height when in bloom, with woody stems at the base adorned with persistent, medium green, spiky, and tight linear-subulate leaves. The general habit is that of a well-structured cushion, gradually spreading in width.

Each flower displays a pure white background crossed on each petal by a broad pink to deep pink-lilac stripe, extending from the center to the edge, with a small dark red to orange central eye. This radiant pattern, which gave the cultivar its name, varies slightly in intensity depending on sunlight conditions and the stage of flowering, ranging from bright pink to pale lilac almost lavender.

In its natural habitat, the species blooms from April to June. In cultivation, 'Candy Stripes' generally blooms in April-May. It requires full sun, well-drained soil, even poor, and does not tolerate shade or stagnant moisture in winter.