How to Plant and Grow Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata

marvelous and stately with sweetly fragrant clouds of billow blooms , garden phlox ( Phlox paniculata ) is an unsloped , flamboyant plant that flowers throughout the live day of summer .

A North American wildflower that ’s become a classic , garden or magniloquent phlox is easy grown and produces expectant bunch of ornate flower heads .

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P. subulata

These thud - constitute perennials are highly attractive to pollinators such as bee , butterflies , and hummingbird , with small , tube-shaped blossom densely packed into drop , round , or pyramid - shaped panicles .

blossom for six weeks or more from July to September , they supply blooms in luscious , tropic shades of lavender , pink , uprise , blood-red , orange , majestic , and white – aright when many efflorescence start to hide from the heat .

A stellar performer for sunny border , foundation , and islands or in butterfly and cottage garden , phlox is typically grown in temperate arena – it need moist soil and ca n’t handle drouth .

These plants do have a fleck of a report for being prone to powdery mildew , but breeders are continuously developing new cultivars with improved mildew electrical resistance , which extend their range into warm and more humid USDA Hardiness Zones .

So if you ’re quick to add some colorful , long - last flowers to your landscape painting , link us now to record all about how to plant and grow garden phlox !

Here ’s what you ’ll study about up ahead :

What You’ll Learn

What Is Garden Phlox?

Garden phlox ( P. paniculata ) is a species of vertical , clumping herbaceous perennial in thePhloxgenus that develop two to four feet tall with a banquet of two to three feet .

Other common name admit fall , late , perennial , summertime , marvelous phlox , index thatP. paniculatais the last of the cultivated coinage to flower in the growing time of year .

Large final bunch of modest , tube-shaped , five - petaled flowers have a honeyed scent and bloom from July to September . flower are usable in pretty pastels or saturated tropical shade of blue , lavender , orangish , pinkish , purple , red , and ashen .

Dark unripe leaves have a pointed , elliptical shape , oppositely put on stiff fore that require no staking , although container plants and those grow in subtlety may need a interest or two to keep outer stems erect .

These hardy plant are timberland natives and need consistently moist soil to prosper , struggling in areas where wet is unequal .

Typically grown in temperate zones , they ’re easy work in the right conditions but may suffer from powdery mould , specially in heat and humidity .

Many of today ’s cultivars are breed for improved disease resistance , making them well suited for hot and humid regions – but they still do n’t like hot , dry soil .

A attractor for pollinator , garden phlox is a darling of bee , butterflies , and hummingbirds .

Plants present decent resistance to deer , though rabbits and deer can cause problems by jaw on tender new outgrowth and foliage . They tend to avoid the fragrant flowers .

If predatory herbivore are cause terms in your landscape painting , be certain to read our template fortips on deer - proofing your yardandhow to keep rabbits away .

Plants break down back to the ground in wintertime and are fearless in USDA Zones 3 to 8 , with some cultivars hardy only to Zone 4 .

Several other species in thePhloxgenus are wide school as well .

In early spring , thecreeping and moss varieties(P. stoloniferaandP. subulata ) add sensational blankets of color to ground covers and rock’n’roll garden .

The next in the genus to bloom is annual or intermediate phlox , P. drummondii , with burnished flower from early fountain to early summertime .

embed some of these with the late - bloom garden varieties to revel well-to-do - care phlox flowers for the intact grow time of year .

Cultivation and History

Endemic to the woodlands of the cardinal and easterly US , P. paniculatawas the first phlox species to be bred by European growers , with cultivar appearing in England by the early 1800s .

The genus name comes from the Greek password for flame ( phlox ) , referencing the brilliantly coloured flowers of native species .

The species epithetpaniculatarefers to works that flower in panicle .

There are hundreds ofP. paniculatacultivars and gobs have received the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society , admit beauties like ‘ Flamingo , ’ ‘ Peacock Cherry Red , ’ and ‘ Prince of Orange . ’

Today ’s breeding take place principally in the Netherlands and the US , with an emphasis on develop gnome and mildew - resistant motley .

Garden Phlox Plant Propagation

The best methods of propagating tall phlox are by taking basal stem cuttings , rootage division , or sow in seed .

From Basal Stem Cuttings

Take basal shank film editing in spring after newfangled increment is at least six inches marvellous .

Use clean , sharp scissors hold or shears to cut four - inch stems close to the primer , cutting just above a set of leaf nodes .

Strip away leaves from the low half and dip the cut ending in rooting endocrine if desired .

groom small pots or tray with a finely textured , sandy potting mix . wash the soil thoroughly but not to the point of being sloshed .

Insert cuttings until the lowest leaves are half an inch above the grime and space so leaves are n’t touching . tauten the soil mildly around the stems .

Place in a bright lit location out of direct sunlight .

Keep the territory lightly moist until the film editing beginning , in three to five week .

Once rooting is established with new ontogenesis , transplant out to the garden after hardening off .

Via Root Division

origin variance is best performed in early spring , just as new growth look , or in early autumn after flowering has finished .

organize the planting site by digging down 12 inches to loosen the grunge . break in up any clump and discard stones and dust .

Mix in a shovelful of compost or well - rotted manure to enrich the soil .

To help keep the soil moist , mix in a shovelful of moisture - retentive materials such as coconut coir , peat moss , perlite , or vermiculite .

Add in a shovelful of granite chips , landscape painting sand , or pea plant gravel to improve drainage if needed .

excite in one or two tablespoons ofbone repast for healthy root development .

When the planting area is ready , take your sectionalisation . Use a unobjectionable , sharp nigga or garden fork inserted a few inches outside of the ascendent zone to reverse clumps .

Divide each clump into adequate section with a clean , penetrating knife or nigger . Each section needs at least two or three potent shoots and a portion of healthy roots .

Replant divisions at once .

direct the segmentation with the crown one to two inch below the soil surface then backfill and softly tauten the dirt .

Water gently to nail down in place .

Springtime division require to be keep well - watered through bound and summer .

Fall division should be give a four- to six - inchlayer of mulch , such as bark mulch , leaf mold , or drinking straw , to prevent damage from halt / thaw cycles . Remove winter mulches in other springtime .

From Seed

To direct sow seeds , works in spring after all danger of frost has passed or in fall , about a calendar month before first hoar .

scattering seeds evenly over prepared soil then just cover with one - eighth of an column inch of soil .

Water mildly to moisten the soil and seeds .

When seedlings are six inches tall , thin to 10 inches apart .

To part seeds indoors , sow six to eight weeks before your last freeze date .

Fill seed cells or trays with a finely textured seed - starting mix .

Sow seeds evenly over the top or place one to two per cellular telephone , and scantily cut through with one - eighth of an inch of soil .

Water softly to moisten the filth , but do n’t let it become too crocked .

Place pots or trays in a bright location out of direct sun and wield temperature of 65 to 70 ° F . Germination will take up to 21 days . Maintain soil moisture throughout this period .

Once the seedlings are large enough to deal , with at least two solidification of true farewell , transpose one by one into small four - inch pots fill up with the same mix and stay on to keep the soil moist .

Once nightlong temperatures stay above 50 ° degree Fahrenheit , inure off seedling for a calendar week before transplanting out to the garden as described below .

harden off to outside condition involves providing 30 minutes to one hour of exposure on the first day before bringing them back inside , and then bring to the picture gradually over each sequent Clarence Day to follow until they can withstand conditions full - time .

How to Grow Garden Phlox Flowers

For the best flowering , set garden phlox in a full Dominicus location in hommos - rich and moist but well - drain soil with a impersonal pH of 6.0 to 8.0 .

Allow ample space between plants to ensure the adequate aura circulation ask to queer the spread of powdery mildew . leave light good afternoon shade in area with very hot sunshine .

Prepare the planting internet site as limn in the Root Division segment above , amending the ground with compost , wet - keep back matter , and drainage materials as needed .

fuse in one to two tablespoon of bone meal for strong , healthy roots .

Set plants in place with the crown one to two inches below the soil business , spacing plants 12 to 24 inches aside depending on the cultivar . In heat and humidness , proper spacing is crucial to prevent the spread of unfriendly fungi .

Backfill with grime and tauten gently .

Water good and keep the grease moderately moist throughout the growing time of year – phlox does not do well in dry or hot soil .

Add a two- to four - column inch bed of mulch over the root zona to help keep wet and preclude roots from drying out . Use mulch materials such as compost , leaf mold , orstraw .

Avoid overhead watering or watering belatedly in the day to downplay the chances of circularise powdery mildew spore .

For container growth , choose dwarf cultivar .

expend pots with drainage holes . I continue the hole with a two - inch layer of drainage materials such as wiped out pottery or pebble .

Fill with a humus - rich , moisture - retentive , and well - drain soil and mix in one to two tablespoons of bone meal .

Set plants as outline above then water to settle in billet .

Place containers in a full sun localization and body of water on a regular basis to keep the ground lightly moist .

Growing Tips

In the right conditions , garden phlox is easy to grow – the following backsheesh help supply optimal conditions for the best flower product .

Now let ’s look at what garden phlox need for even upkeep .

Pruning and Maintenance

Phlox works are heavy affluent and give their best exhibit with two feedings during the maturate season .

Along with enrich the soil with organic matter when planting , feed clumps in other outpouring just as new ontogeny emerges from the filth and again in early summer just before the buds open up up .

In give , use a two - column inch bed of compost or manure spread out over the root zone , an software of liquid or pee - soluble fertilizer , or apply slow - release pellet with a balanced formula like 10 - 10 - 10 NPK .

Burpee Enhanced Organic All - Purpose Plant Food

Burpee Enhanced Organic All - Purpose Plant Food has a formula of 5 - 5 - 5 NPK and hold up for three months . It’savailable at Burpeein four - punt bagful .

For the summertime feeding , do not employ slow - freeing granular fertilizer .

smooth fertiliser free nutrients straight off , giving efflorescence buds a needed encouragement before possible action , and compost and manure loss food promptly each time plant are watered .

Agro Thrive Organic General Purpose Liquid Fertilizer

Agro Thrive has a five - gallon bucketful of Organic General Purpose Liquid Fertilizer with a 3 - 3 - 2 NPK formula that’savailable at Home Depot .

If need , add a two - inch bed of mulch to keep the soil coolheaded and moist . material like bark mulch , shredded leaves , or shuck make a adept summer mulch .

Phlox ego - ejaculate readily , but cultivar offspring usually are n’t true to the parent industrial plant . Deadhead spend flowersto prevent undesirable reseeding .

Pruning is n’t required , but for bushier plants with more flowers , sheer back up to one-half of the stalk by one - third in mid - bounce to pressure ramification and bud development .

Use unclouded , knifelike shear to prune off stems from the outside perimeter and a few from the interior to improve air circulation .

Cut away drained and decaying plant matter in late fall and clean beds thoroughly to prevent overwintering pathogen . Stems can be cut down to the ground .

In regions with freezing temperature , put up industrial plant with a four - column inch level of wintertime mulch , such as bark mulch , sawdust ( from untreated lumber ) , straw , or true pine bough .

uncontaminating away winter mulches in early spring after new growth egress .

For container , feed as outlined above and provide a summer mulch to help keep on moisture .

Before winter arrives , cleanse away dead flora matter and move the flock into a sheltered stain such as against a fence , foundation , or wall .

Apply a thick , four - inch layer of winter mulch to protect the roots from freeze / thaw cycles , and insulate pots as needed to prevent damage from freeze temperatures .

In early spring , get rid of the mulch and move pots back to their grow location .

Garden Phlox Cultivars to Select

There are one C of gorgeousP. paniculatacultivars to select from ! The come after is a small sample distribution of full-bodied , mildew - repellent potpourri .

Backlight

Long - stemmed beauties , ‘ Backlight ’ glitter in the landscape painting with radiant blank flowers sporting low chartreuse eye that bloom from ahead of time to late summer .

grow 24 to 36 inches tall and spreading 18 to 24 inches , the fragrant flowers form in large pyramid - form panicles that are beautifully supported on tall , secure stems covered in grim green foliage .

‘ Backlight ’

A tranquil pick for bed , groundwork , islands , and cottage gardens , be trusted to plant some in the cutting garden – you ’ll want plenty for flowered transcription as well . Hardy in Zones 3 to 8 .

Containers of ‘ Backlight ’ areavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .

Desire

A compact rebloomer in the Bambini ® series , ‘ Desire ’ ( aka ‘ Versde ’ ) develop dumb clump loaded with fragrant flower promontory of deep , rose-colored magenta - to - over-embellished and light flare around the eyes .

Plants are strongly branching with a dwarf habit of only 10 inches tall and wide . They flower from early summer until fall and deadheading encourages reblooming .

‘ Desire ’

A strong choice for containers and planters or massed in beds , boundary line , and edging , ‘ Desire ’ is dauntless in Zones 3 to 8 .

Three - ingroup of au naturel root word flora areavailable at Home Depot .

Glamor Girl

From the Garden Girls ™ compendium , ‘ Glamor Girl ’ adds allure with prominent domes of hot coral pinkish flowers , with older blooms melt to a pretty candy pink .

The handsome dark green leaf has stiff purple tones . Plants flower from early to former summer , and rebloom with deadheading .

‘ Glamor Girl ’ develop 24 to 36 inch tall with a 24 - in spread . A brilliant choice as a specimen or massed for beds , borderline , and butterfly orcottage garden , the fragrant bloom also make a top - notch cut flower .

‘ Glamor missy ’

Garden daughter ™ excerpt are a good choice for growing in hotness and humidity . These plants are hardy in Zones 4 to 8 .

Plants in glasshouse containers areavailable at Burpee .

Orange Perfection

A fearless flora with delightful salmon - orange tree flowers , ‘ Orange Perfection ’ blooms smartly from former summertime into fall .

The fragrant flowers constitute large earth on vigorous root word that grow 24 to 36 inches tall with a similar spread .

‘ Orange Perfection ’

An eye - catching alternative as a specimen flora or massed into beds , perimeter , foundations , and island , the farseeing stem also make beautiful slice flowers . Hardy in Zones 4 to 8 .

Plants areavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .

Uptown Girl

Another extract from the Garden Girls ™ collection , ‘ Uptown Girl ’ prance in trend with brilliant pastel pinkish blossom and rosy pink centre .

A in force rebloomer , the perfume , domed panicles lift on strong purpleness stems with a mature height of 32 to 36 inches and spread 28 to 32 inches .

‘ Uptown Girl ’

‘ Uptown Girl ’ is a strong performer in heat and humidity and makes an excellent choice as a boundary line plant life , cut flower , ormass plantedin beds and cottage garden . Hardy in geographical zone 3 to 8 .

marginal root plants areavailable at Burpee .

Managing Pests and Disease

In ideal conditions , garden phlox has few problem – but there are some issues to keep an eye on for .

Spider mitescan make an appearance , particularly in raging , dry condition . infestation fall out on the underside of leaves and do jaundiced foliage and general plant descent .

Spray with an insecticidal grievous bodily harm to control infestations and control the soil stick moist to forestall plant stress . In region with live sun , provide light good afternoon shade .

The most plebeian disease to watch for is powdery mildew .

get byErysiphe cichoracearumfungi , it appears as a Theodore Harold White to grey blurred mould on stem and foliage . Infected plant are weakened and common symptoms let in leaf bead and root word collapse .

Powdery mold is most prevalent in arena with high humidness , and the best curative is prevention .

select mould - immune varieties , like the single in our Cultivars to Select section , and avert overcrowding plant – adequate air circulation is a must . Remove and safely discard infected leaves and halt quick .

Also , if your plants have had powdery mildew in the yesteryear , you canuse a preventive homemade sprayto minimize reappearances . use in late outpouring when temperatures are starting to stir up up .

In a big nebulizer nursing bottle , add up one dry quart of water system , one tablespoon baking soda , and half a teaspoon of mild dish soap .

agitate well to integrate and spray on plants , let in the underside of leave – you want to do thisbeforethe mildew appears .

Best Uses for Garden Phlox Plants

Perennial phlox is an excellent , humiliated - sustentation plant that ’s widely used in the background of mixed beds , as a border , and in butterfly , cottage , and rainfall gardens .

Their long bloom time also make a handsome addition to institution or island plantings and the long - hold out flowers are a must - have for the cutting garden .

For container , patio planter , and window boxes , use the compact midget varieties and taller ace for bottom , borders , and foundations .

Quick Reference Growing Guide

Flowering Finery

With bright colour , a scented scent , and a long season , garden phlox add bloom finery throughout the landscape painting .

furnish a summertime mulch to keep solution cool and moist and give them adequate spacing to prevent powdery mildew .

tip at planting clock time and again justly before the bloom open – after that , all you have to do is enjoy !

And formore cultivated North American wildflowers , add these guides to your reading tilt next :

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Lorna Kring