when and how much do i cut back creeping phlox?

Question

My phlox is patchy. Shaded areas are ok but the areas exposed to more sun look dead. . . often with growth on long spindly dried out stems. Should I just cut it all back? How much and when?

Answer 1

The stems are normally cut back after flowering to promote a second bloom. Care of creeping phlox also includes cutting the plant back in late winter/early spring prior to new growth to allow for rejuvenation and to produce young, more compact stems.

I would let them be right now. If you cut the plant back now, it will only encourage new growth, which is not a good idea this time of year as the cold weather soon to come will only damage the plant, which should actually be getting ready to go dormant for the season.