I just love creeping phlox, especially when it covers large areas in waves of different colors. In Spring 2016, I planted Emerald Blue and Emerald Pink in waves, and the plants thrived and spread out nicely. Last Spring, it was so pretty in bloom! But then last Fall, portions some of the plants have died. I pulled out the dead stuff, hoping to stimulate growth and fill those areas back in, but no such luck. I'm stumped. Is it a ph issue, or disease, or insect damage?

Dana, I do need to remove bits that die, or bits that get woody, from our creeping phlox. I also occasionally need to pull a plant to bits and replant (viz. too much die back).

It looks that there's new growth underneath your creeping phlox, visible at the outer portions.

Creeping phlox does need good drainage. It looks like yours are planted in a good location for that, though I have no experience with using mulch around perennials (other than shrubs).

If that happened during the summer, I'm guessing it's a scorching effect from a hot sun.

Charlie, being that the same cultivars are looking good and bad right next to each other makes me question the scorching idea. This photo shows two pinks side by side. It looks like one plant, but there are actually two planted 4-5 inches apart.

Okay the one plant in the picture above is dead. But it looks to me like the other plants are already recovering and getting new leaves underneath the old, dead ones.

My creeping phlox didn't look good (stayed mostly green) over the winter until it got established. I suspect in another year or two you won't have this problem.

I took cuttings of my plant last year (it was invading other plants) and planted them. The cuttings look exactly like your pictures but I'm sure the roots are still alive since I'm seeing new leaves.

I too love creeping phlox but realize it never stops creeping! You'll be trimming them back soon enough so having a plant or two die now isn't that bad. You'll have as many new plants as you could want next year. Just cut a piece off and stick it in the ground. Keep it watered the first couple of weeks & voila, new plants!

You're making a lot of sense, Dana.

I would say that even if the problem is primarily caused by one thing, other factors are frequently also involve.

Elena, thank you! I'll be patient!