Question
I have a very nice large creeping phlox and we have just come out of our winter
season (zone 5) and my creeping phlox is all brown, I have another creeping
phlox approx. 5 feet away and it is still green, what could be the problem. It was
green and beautiful last year it is approx. 3 years old.

Answer
Hi Jessica,
Thanx for your question.  The creeping phlox may have died over the winter if it is not green by now.  Tug at it gently and if it gives and pulls away, it is probably dead.  If it doesn't green up in the next week or so, it's dead.  In some of our colder areas, the action of the earth thawing and freezing causes a condition called heaving where the roots of the plants get exposed to the freezing temperatures and can cause death of the plant.  Usually, creeping phlox are pretty hardy.  It could also be a disease if the phlox is not in well-drained soil and its feet stay too wet it my have gotten a fungal disease and its roots rotted.  I hope this helps.
Tom