moss phlox
- noun
- /mɔs flɑks/
- US
:
phlox musgo
- Gardeners often use moss phlox to create a beautiful, low-maintenance ground cover.
Examples
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I planted moss phlox in my garden last year.
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The moss phlox blooms beautifully in the spring.
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Moss phlox blooms in early spring, covering the rock garden with vibrant color.
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The pink flowers of moss phlox attract butterflies to the yard.
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In the garden, moss phlox forms a colorful blanket of pink flowers in spring.
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Moss phlox is an excellent choice for ground cover, thriving in sunny areas.
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During the spring months, moss phlox produces clusters of white blossoms that brighten up the landscape.
Synonyms
1
9.5
A garden plant with clusters of small bright flowers that attract butterflies
A low plant with thin evergreen leaves and pink or white flowers used as ground cover
A low, spreading plant with thin needle leaves and pink or white flowers used to cover the ground
A low plant with thin, green leaves and pink or white flowers used as a ground cover
A low plant with pink or white flowers that spreads to cover the ground
A low plant with small flowers that forms mats on rocky ground
A low plant that forms a mat on rocky ground with small pink flowers
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is compositional: 'moss' (low, mat-forming plant) combined with 'phlox' (a genus of flowering plants) yields a phlox species with moss-like, low-growing habit. Although botanical, the meaning as a ground-covering, low phlox is directly inferable from the constituents, so a B1 learner who knows both words would understand it.
Etymology
Moss phlox may come from the plant's look: moss because it grows very low and makes a soft green 'carpet', and phlox because its small flowers look like bright 'flames' or spots of colour. So the name helps you picture a low 'ground cover' full of colorful blooms.