Yes, you can. And no, you will not do any real damage to the phlox subulata or the new plant you're putting in

I would look through the phlox to find where the roots are, and dig away from them. In my experience, the phlox grows outward along the ground so you can just move it aside and plant there, away from the roots. I hope I explained that clearly - I feel like I was as clear as mud!

Dee

except for walking thru it to do the job ...

but that wont kill it... it just might not look pretty for a while

and presuming.. you dont happen to hit the main plant ... the plant that was originally planted ... so i might get down there.. and make sure ..... if you did this.. you might end up with some dead parts.. greater than the hole dug .. again.. it will recover ... its just about being careful ...

ken

Thanks everybody!

Dee, I understood what you meant! That would actually probably be better than what I was thinking. Originally I was going to dig out the middle which would actually probably be the original main root system, like Ken was talking about. If I just put the plant I want to add to the side rather in the middle it will be closer to the plant I want the new plant next to. Wow, now I feel like I am being as clear as mud! Very helpful! Thanks again!