Aubrieta vs Tufted phlox

Aubrieta and Tufted phlox are often considered for the same spot in the garden (ground cover, flowers, pollinator friendly, container). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Aubrieta

Aubrieta × cultorum 15 cm × 60 cm after 10 years

A low, evergreen, grey-green cushion plant for rock gardens that flowers so heavily in spring that the leaves almost disappear: good on top of…

Ground cover

Full sun

Part shade

from about CZK 49

Tufted phlox

Phlox douglasii 10 cm × 40 cm after 10 years

A dwarf phlox that forms a tight evergreen cushion of needle-like leaves, completely hidden in spring under small pink, purple, red or white…

Ground cover

Full sun

Part shade

from about CZK 49

Key differences

Aubrieta grows larger: 15 cm × 60 cm after ten years, against 10 cm × 40 cm for Tufted phlox.
Aubrieta is cheaper: about CZK 69 at the size usually planted, against about CZK 110 for Tufted phlox.

Which one to choose?

Aubrieta is the better choice if price matters.

Tufted phlox is the better choice if space is tight.

Watch out for

Aubrieta

In heavy, wet soil it rots off in winter and stays short-lived; without trimming, the centre of the cushion goes bare within a few years. Aphids and flea beetles can damage it, and white blister (a disease of the cabbage family) occasionally appears. Self-sown seedlings usually flower paler than the parent.

Tufted phlox

Most plants are lost to winter wet: in heavy, damp soil the cushion rots from below. In hot, humid summers it can die out in patches and turn brown, and in shadier, airless spots it gets powdery mildew. Phlox eelworm is an occasional problem. Trim it lightly after flowering to keep it dense.

The data side by side

Feature	Aubrieta	Tufted phlox
Group	Ground cover	Ground cover
Size after 10 years	15 cm × 60 cm	10 cm × 40 cm
Ultimate size	5–15 cm × 30–60 cm	5–15 cm × 25–50 cm (uncertain)
Growth rate	Medium (uncertain)	Medium (uncertain)
Light	Full sun, Part shade	Full sun, Part shade
Soil	Calcareous, Sandy, Average garden soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	Medium (uncertain)	Medium (uncertain)
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	April–June, purple, blue, pink, red, white	April–June, pink, purple, red, white
Water need	Low	Low
Drought tolerance	Medium	Medium
Maintenance	Low	Low
Planting distance	30 cm	25 cm
For dogs	no data	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	no data	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	no data	Non-toxic
Typical price	approx. CZK 69	approx. CZK 110

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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