Even if all the other flowers suddenly disappeared, and only the phlox remained, and then our flower beds would be decorated with bright colors from spring to late autumn. Easy care, lush flowering and a wonderful aroma of phlox are good in everything!
Planting Phlox
Believe me, it is much easier to grow phlox than many other types of flowers. Of course, you can not do without care, but you will need to work at a minimum.
Before you start breeding phlox, it is useful to know what their root system is. Why? To choose the best place to land.
The root system
The plant is moisture-loving, but does not tolerate stagnation of water in the soil layer, where most of its roots are located. Phloxes are a set of highly branched adventitious roots, evenly distributed around the main rhizome. These thin (2-3 mm) roots penetrate deep into the soil at a maximum of 20-22 cm (7.9-8.6 inch), but the main root mass is located in the surface layer of the soil at a depth of 3-15 cm (1.2-5.9 inch).
The conclusion is obvious: if the ground water on your site is closer than 15 cm (5.9 inch) to the soil surface, then with a simple planting, the roots will not receive enough oxygen and will die. And with them the whole bush. This can be avoided if you plant phlox on high beds, where their root system will be provided with all the necessary, but not an excessive level of humidity. The height of the flowerbed should not exceed 10-15 cm (3.9-5.9 inch).
Important! Do not plant phlox in close proximity to trees and shrubs with extensive surface root systems! Plants will fight for light, moisture, nutrition, and, without options, the strongest will win. But it won’t be Phlox.
Soil
Phlox-hardy plants with a large reserve of vitality, can grow and thrive on different soils. But the maximum development and peak flowering are achieved on loose, fertile, moist soil.
Valleys where stagnant water is stored for a long time in spring (or in summer during heavy rains) are not a good place to plant phlox.
Sunlight
Phlox prefer full sun or partial shade. In a shady place, they grow, but they bloom poorly and for a short time. In the sun, the buds will be thicker and more lush, in the shade — looser and paler, but the flowering will last 5-10 days longer.
Landing time
Phlox with an open root system is planted in early spring, as soon as the soil thaws, and in early autumn, when the bud is already laid for growing. The stems of the phlox of autumn planting should be cut to a third of the length. Plants with a closed root system can be planted (processed) during the entire growing season.
Reproduction of phlox
Perennial phlox species are propagated by seeds, stem and root cuttings, axillary buds and shoots (in summer and autumn by dividing bushes.
The characteristics of the variety are preserved completely in any type of reproduction, except for seed.
Phlox care
It’s simple: it consists in careful removal of weeds (you remember that the root system of phlox is shallow, so be careful when weeding), regular watering and fertilizing. If necessary, they are treated for pests and diseases.
Feeding
For the perfect effect (uniform powerful foliage of the bush, maximum flower size and inflorescence size, the duration of the flowering period), regular feeding is necessary throughout the summer period. The moment when the first bud wakes up before the leaves fall completely.
Watering
The soil in the flowerbed with phlox should be moist. Regular watering is required (when there is no rain) and loosening of the soil surface.
Types of phlox
All types can be divided into four groups:
- the first group: shrub tall (90-180 cm/2.9-5.9 foot), blooming in summer and early autumn, Phlox maculata, Phlox paniculata, Phlox glaberrima and others;
- the second group: a shrub, less tall (40-70 cm/ 1.3-2.3 foot), blooming in the second half of spring and early summer — Phlox ovata, phlox amoena, phlox pilosa, etc.;
- the third group: height 25-35 cm (9.8-13.7 inch), transitional types, can be bush and creeping. They bloom in the second half of spring and early summer — Stolonifera phlox, divaricata Phlox;
- fourth group: prostrate or ascending, 5-15 cm (2-5.9 inch) tall, blooming in spring and early summer-douglasii Flox, Phlox nivalis, Phlox subulata, etc.