This is new to me..I have a patch of flox near my driveway and walkway that needs to be timed back. I was hoping that if I cutback I can rel locate trimmings and start another .
I am sharing a couple pictures.
Thanks in advance.
Dewayne , OFallon , Mo

This pretty well explains how to divide creeping phlox

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/...

Thank you crawgarden…it appears by the article that the entire mother plant needs to be lifted then separated …that scars me..I don't think I can risk loosing the entire patch.
Thanks for sharing that site
Dewayne , OFallon,Mo

That looks like Dianthus rather than Phlox.

I agree. That isn't creeping phlox but rather a dianthus plant. Just stick a sharp spade in there and separate sections and replant immediately. It will be fine.

Definitely dianthus.

happy to confirm I am not crazy, I thought so too.

Dig the whole thing up, divide, and replant. Dianthus tends to creep quite a ways before it roots down. If you just trim around the edges, it is very likely you won't get any roots. I've started these from cuttings, so you can try that if you get pieces that don't have roots.

I blew it, jumped right on it with Phlox in mind😀

Thanks everyone for the advice..
Happy new years and a healthy planting season

Incidentally, the phlox would be similar. I have had luck burying a plastic pot under some stems, holding them down with dirt or rock, and giving them a year to actually root before removing that.