Perennial phlox flower: cultivation, planting and care (with photo). What, when and how to feed phlox

February 25, 2013

Human nature is approximately equal parts varied and at the same time predictable. Take, for example, our “seasonal” thoughts. Somewhere in July-August, almost everyone at least once has the thought “oh, now it would be a little bit of winter: it’s cool and you can go sledding...”. And in winter, fantasies about summer begin to creep into your head: “sun, grass, flowers...”.

Our team of authors, of course, will not make the fairy tale “12 months” a reality, but we can help in words. Do you want flowers? Let's talk about them. And we’ll choose a topic for conversation phlox. Firstly, we haven’t written about them on the www.site yet; secondly, they look very bright and will stand out against the background of gloomy winter weather; thirdly, the very name “phlox” comes from the Greek word for “flame” - so let’s warm ourselves up.

• Types and varieties of phlox

Phlox paniculata ‘Blue Otrada’

Types and varieties of phlox

Let's start according to all the rules of decency - with acquaintance. Phlox is considered the birthplace of North America- the territory of modern USA and Canada. This means that they feel at home in central Russia and grow well. IN large family There are about 60 species of phlox plants. They are divided according to color, height, etc. If you talk about everyone, you will get, as modern youth say, “too many letters,” that is, you will get tired of reading. That is why we will focus only on the most popular types.

Phlox paniculata ‘Sandro Botticelli’

Colors and shapes of paniculate phlox

The first and most common phlox in gardens is paniculata (Phlox paniculata); due to its prevalence, it also received the “pseudonym” garden phlox. This species appeared as a result of complex crossing of several species and varieties. Hard-working breeders have bred perennial herbaceous plant with a fairly wide range of heights from 35 to 150 cm. True, these values ​​​​are extreme, but generally paniculate phloxes look like bushes 60-70 cm or 80-100 cm high. Here everything depends on the specific variety, and, no less, , from illumination. In the open sun, phlox grows squat, and the shade, on the contrary, “stretches” it.

Lighting also affects the color palette of paniculate phlox. In direct open sun, bright petals often fade to a dirty white color. True, this is not a general problem of the species, but the difficulties of individual varieties, so be sure to take this fact into account when purchasing and planting. Another surprise is the blue and cyan colors in the palette. In bright light it is impossible to see them; they will mainly be purple inflorescences. But at dawn, sunset, or on cloudy days you will be able to admire the blue and blue petals of the varieties ‘Blue Otrada’, ‘Sandro Botticelli’, ‘Night’, ‘Frau Paulina Schollhammer’. A variety 'Olympics' will turn from pink to pale lilac. Another interesting fact from the life of paniculate phlox - they cannot be yellow. Well, they don’t have that color! And if they still offer you one, we advise you to change the place where you buy the seeds.

Phlox paniculata ‘Olympiada’

As for the flowering time, it is quite possible to choose exactly the option that suits you in decorative terms in order to maintain the overall attractiveness of the garden. All varieties of paniculate phlox are divided into early flowering - from the second half of June; mid-season plants - bloom in the second ten days of July; and the third group blooms later than everyone else - from August, and sometimes from the beginning of September.

Also, depending on the variety, the size of the inflorescences varies. The smallest flower can be only 0.5 cm in diameter, and the largest is 10 times larger, that is, about 5 cm. Examples include varieties 'Master', ‘Maria Fedorovna’, 'Vladimir', ‘Igor Talkov’. Varieties with large flowers, of course, are very attractive and look impressive near the paths, near the porch or gazebo. But they can also cause unnecessary frustration: in bad weather they suffer much more from the wind or rain, and the sun also mercilessly burns the large petals.

Phlox paniculata ‘Maria Fedorovna’

Phlox paniculata ‘Master’

The decorative effect of phlox depends not only on the size of the inflorescences. U different varieties There are also some peculiarities in the color of the petals. Various strokes, spots, rings and eyes are possible on the main background of the corolla. And if there are so many of them that they occupy large area petal, then from different distances the flower is perceived differently, up to the visual deception of “change of color”. It makes sense to plant such varieties along paths in order to appreciate this feature as you approach or move away from the plant.

The color surprises of phloxes do not end there: some varieties have a bud of one color, and an open inflorescence of another. These include 'Cloud': blue bud and white flower with a blue shadow; or 'Mirage' with a violet-purple bud and a light flower.

Phlox paniculata ‘Mirage’

Without any problems, you can also find varieties in which the upper and lower parts of the petals have different tones, and on the inflorescence individual petals are located at different angles of inclination. This is the variety ‘Ostankino’ or 'Tourmaline'. This feature of the inflorescences makes these phlox visually light and airy. By the way, “air” can be added by selecting plants with dark purple-brownish shoots. Visually, they will give the effect of separating the inflorescences from the foliage and it will look like the flower is hanging in the air.

Phlox paniculata ‘Ostankino’

Except color palette The external perception of phlox is influenced by the shape of the petals. They are smooth, wavy, notched, pubescent or corrugated. And in different options even plants of the same color will be perceived differently.

Phlox paniculata ‘Apple Blossom’

And one more classification of paniculate phlox, which we will talk about, is the texture of the plant and the flower. They can be dense or openwork, conical or umbrella-shaped, branched or single-stemmed. All this should also be taken into account when arranging ensembles in the garden. So varieties with large flat flowers ‘Apple Blossom’, 'Overture' planted closer than pyramidal varieties; varieties with small inflorescences are best suited to shade lilies and dahlias. And if you plan to plant phlox like a tapeworm, then you need a dense, well-branched bush with an equal balance of foliage and flowers. Well suited for these purposes 'Cloud', 'Stranger', 'Viking', 'Waltz', ‘New’ and others.

Phlox paniculata ‘Cloud’

Subulate phlox

Let's move on next view phlox - awl-shaped (Phlox subulata). They got their name due to the shape of the leaves: they are narrow, pointed and resemble small awls. This variety belongs to the groundcover family, that is, very low-growing. The average height of an awl-shaped phlox is 15-20 cm. And it looks like a recumbent stem, densely covered with small (up to 2 cm in length) sharp foliage. In landscape design, this type is often used to create green “mats”.

Phlox subulate ‘Candy stripes’

The inflorescences of awl-shaped phloxes are also not particularly large - about 2 cm in diameter and are collected in 5-7 flowers. But the size is compensated by abundance: at the time of flowering, sometimes even the foliage is not visible. This species blooms twice: from mid-May to the twentieth of June and then in August-September. True, secondary flowering is usually not so bright and abundant.

The palette of awl-shaped phlox includes white, blue, and pink shades, and the flowers can be plain or with strokes, spots and shadows. Like paniculata, this type of phlox is perennial and winter-hardy. And the turf of awl-shaped plants remains green even under the snow.

The next species that we will talk about is almost the only one of all – an annual. It is called "Phlox drummondii" after the botanist who brought it to Europe from the USA. But, despite being “one-year-old,” this species is not inferior in decorativeness to its perennial counterparts.

Phlox Drummond 'Twinkle'

Externally, Drummond's phlox is a branched plant from 20 to 60 cm in height. Its flowers are clove-shaped and about 1.5 cm in diameter. The color of the petals is also varied, but always bright: white, pink, red, purple, and sometimes two-color, with an eye in the center. This species is not afraid of rain and wind; they will not damage its inflorescences. And Drummond phlox can be planted either in the garden in group plantings or on an alpine hill, or on the balcony if your own suburban area is only in the plans.

Spread Phlox from Canada

And one more is enough popular look phlox - splayed (Phlox divaricata) or by place of origin - Canadian. In size, this is a kind of transitional stage from ground cover forms to bush forms. So if you want to create a mixborder purely from phlox, then this species should occupy the second tier. The height of these phloxes ranges from 25 to 40 cm.

Phlox spreading ‘Chatahoochee’

In terms of durability, it is a perennial, but its flowering time is quite early - the end of May, and quite short - 25-30 days. Therefore, when planting splayed phlox in group ensembles, keep in mind that it will shed its decorative outfit early, and in its place there will be a not very presentable patch that needs to be covered with something.

As for the flowering itself, it can be very abundant and variegated: from white and further along the spectrum - light lilac-lilac-violet. One of the main agronomic features of this species is that splayed phlox requires loose soil in which weeds reproduce easily and quickly, which means weeding will be one of the main jobs here.

Phloxes in landscape design

We partially touched on this topic in the description different types Phlox. But now let’s try to concentrate all the recommendations in one place. So, where should you place the phloxes?

The unpretentiousness of these plants allows them to be planted in a variety of places and on a variety of soils. And even if you still don’t have a house in the village, but have a balcony or loggia in the city, you can arrange a flower garden in a container. For these purposes, ground cover species that will not rise much in height and root system they run close to the surface, which means they don’t need too deep pots and boxes.

Phlox in a pot - balcony option

If with suburban areas everything is in order, then here you have a wide range of ideas and projects involving phlox. One of them suggests appearance awl-shaped: with the help of these varieties you can create an analogue of a lawn. Its shoots will lie tightly and cover the ground, and the plant, unlike lawn grass, will not only turn green, but also bloom. True, you can’t run on such decor, and you can’t lie on it. But if the task is to decorate, then this is your option. Also, the “carpet” design can be used as a lower edge or, conversely, a “cap” on an alpine slide.

Medium-sized species will look good as borders near gazebos or paths. This placement is especially suitable for varieties of paniculate phlox with spotted inflorescences. Another suggestion (also for phloxes of medium height) is zoning. With the help of such flowering borders, you can divide the garden into parts of different decor or purpose, while leaving the entire area in sight.

For all types of phlox, placement in mixborders is perfect. Depending on the height of the variety and the selection of neighbors, this can be any tier, even the lowest one, even the trailing one at the top. By the way, bright phlox flowers look gorgeous against the backdrop of silver and blue conifers.

And of course, no one has canceled flower independence. Phlox can be planted in separate flower beds, arranged in compositions of different colors, or simply made into tapeworm plants. In general, the choice is yours, it would be a desire and a piece of imagination.

Planting and replanting phloxes

Phloxes - pretty unpretentious plants, but some recommendations for planting them can still be given. For example, this concerns the choice of location. These flowers grow both in the shade and in the sun, but the darker it is, the longer the shoots will be and the poorer the flowering. In the open sun, on the contrary, the inflorescences will be as saturated as possible, but the bush itself will grow very squat. And let us remind you once again that bright sunlight causes the petals to fade to complete pallor. As a result, the most optimal place will be an area with diffused light or a bed where during the day light and shadow change with the movement of the sun: for example, the sun at dawn, and in the afternoon the shadow of trees or a house falls on the flower garden.

The soil for phlox must be thoroughly loosened, cleared of weeds, added nutrients or mature compost, and moderately moistened. Please note - moisturize in moderation! And choose a place for planting so that the water does not stagnate there - phloxes cannot tolerate this.

Spring varieties grow well on dry sandy soils, but loam mixed with peat soil and leaf humus is best suited for phlox. It is best to prepare this mixture in the fall and apply it in the spring. After the leaves fall, everything that the trees have piled up needs to be raked into piles and left until spring. And with the onset of warmth, mix it with peat and apply it to the ridges. Ideally, for humus you need a birch leaf mixed with pine needles. But what you shouldn’t add as fertilizer is fresh manure - it often becomes a carrier of fungal diseases.

Phlox is planted in both spring and autumn. At spring planting you need to decide whether you want flowering to begin this year. If so, then you need to plant phlox as soon as the ground thaws so that the plants gain strength and bloom in the first season. If you decide to plant phlox in your garden in the fall, then this should be done before the end of growth, at the end of September and early October. In this case, the plants will have time to take root before winter and develop a root system. And in the spring growth will come already on schedule, that is, better and calmer than directly during spring planting.

As for the area that phlox requires, they should be placed at a distance of 35-50 cm both between rows and in rows, with the exception of species and varieties that require closer planting to create a bush effect.

Another aspect to consider is the aging of plants. If the flowers begin to become smaller and the flowering is no longer so abundant, this is a signal to the gardener to replant. Usually this moment comes once every 3-5 years. For rejuvenation you need to dig old bush, divide it and plant it in a new place.

Phlox care

Caring for phlox in general is similar to caring for all other inhabitants of the garden. Unless loosening and weeding of these flower beds should take place twice as often as usual. Otherwise, phloxes also need to eliminate dried shoots and, if desired, do pinching. It is needed if you pursue the goal of growing the most branched and low bush. Also, pinching artificially shifts the flowering time: if you do it in May, then flowering will begin two weeks later, if you do the same thing in June, the flowers will be “late” by almost a month. But at the same time, after pinching, the flowering turns out to be less bright and abundant. The plant will need to gain strength again.

Phlox have a complex relationship with water: they cannot tolerate stagnant moisture, but at the same time they love it very much and drought is just as destructive for them. When the season is too dry, the flowers stop growing and become weaker. You can water phlox at any time of the day, even at full sunlight. The main thing that experts recommend is not to douse the entire plant, but to carefully moisten it at the root. On hot days, you can say goodbye to phlox with a watering can twice. To retain moisture in the ground, it is useful to mulch the soil with humus or peat in a layer of about 5 cm.

Also, we must not forget about fertilizer. From the end of June, mineral supplements should be given weekly until mid-August. They start with 2 g of the substance per liter of water, then by mid-July the concentration is gradually increased to 8 g per liter, and by the end of the feeding season it is again reduced to 2 g per liter. First, it is necessary to add nitrogen mixtures, and then substances with phosphorus. Also, from May and throughout June, nitrogen watering can be carried out every week: 2 g of nitrate per 1 liter of water. Stop all types of fertilizing in mid-August.

Another type of phlox care is preparation for winter. Although they are perennial, it is not advisable to leave the plants alone with frost. If the winter is snowy, then you don’t have to worry too much, you just need to sprinkle the flowers with a layer of mulch at the end of the season. But if winter has a leapfrog of frosts and thaws with a thin layer of snow, it is better to make additional shelter for phlox. This is especially true for plants that were planted or divided just this spring.

Phlox propagation

Gardeners and agronomists identify the three most popular ways to increase the “number” of phlox on a site. This is dividing adult bushes, cuttings and propagation by seeds. By the way, when propagating phloxes vegetative way, that is, by cuttings or division, all the characteristics of the variety are preserved.

Division is usually carried out in the spring in April and May, and sometimes in late August - early September. Mature plant before dividing, water it, then carefully dig it up and then divide it into smaller parts, being careful not to damage the root system. From a 4-5 year old plant it is quite possible to “select” 15-20 new phloxes, but if you carry out the propagation process in the fall, it is better not to get smaller and divide the bush into 4-7 parts. This will make it easier for new plants to take root and take root.

Propagation by cuttings is usually carried out at the end of May and until the second half of July. During this period, almost 100% of the cuttings can take root and gain strength for wintering. Cuttings are prepared from green, well-developed stems. In May - June, when the shoots are actively growing, the entire stem can be used to take cuttings.

The cuttings are cut as follows: the stem is cut into pieces with a knife so that each cutting has two nodes. In this case, the lower cut should be located immediately below the lower node, and the upper one should be approximately 5-10 mm above the upper node. It is best to harvest cuttings in the shade or on a cloudy day. And it is important that the chopped stems do not lie idle for a long time. They need to be planted in the garden bed as quickly as possible for rooting. The soil for the planting bed should be loose, fertile and moist. It is good if the soil for the ridge consists of equal parts of leaf humus, garden soil and sand. During the first week, the cuttings need to be watered 3-5 times a day and ensure that they do not wilt. Later, the cuttings are watered as needed. After about a month, roots appear on the cuttings.

If you have prepared cuttings and started rooting phlox in the fall, it is best to do all operations in cool greenhouses or in a container in a cellar. Otherwise, in open ground in winter, a very large percentage of young plants may die.

And another type of propagation of phlox is the classic planting of seeds. The main advantage of such propagation is that plants grown from seeds adapt better to local conditions and grow more vigorously than those propagated vegetatively. But when seed propagation Often the properties of a particular variety are lost, and this method is best used in cases where the main goal is to get more bushes, and the preservation of varietal characteristics is secondary.

Planting phloxes and caring for them in the garden the right approach will not be difficult. Phlox flowers allow you to care for them, so to speak, in a summer cottage mode: on weekends and holidays. To ensure that growing perennial phlox does not cause trouble and worry, you only need to know the basic principles of agricultural technology. If perennial phlox flowers do not require care, except for weeding and loosening during periods of snow cover melting, then annual varieties of crops may require mulching and other agrotechnical measures. We invite you to learn about planting a phlox flower and caring for it in the country, everything you need for successful cultivation. The page offers a video about caring for phlox of different types and varieties, and also provides advice on following the rules of agricultural technology. You can also see the step-by-step planting of phlox and caring for them in the photo, illustrating all the operations.

Features of agricultural technology and secrets of growing phlox

The microclimate of the site, in particular illumination, is of great importance for the successful cultivation of paniculate phlox; wind direction and strength; soil structure; proper care; control of weeds, pests, etc. The peculiarities of growing phlox are that these flowers, like most representatives of the Sinyukhov family, prefer well-lit places, however, they tolerate short-term light shading. There are flowers whose flowers can sometimes burn white in the sun, losing their attractiveness. According to the agricultural technology for growing such phloxes, when planting, it is necessary to select areas that will be protected from direct sunlight during the midday hours. sun rays. Next, you can learn all the secrets of growing phlox in your garden plot near your home and in your country house. For some varieties of phlox paniculata with smoky colored flowers, you also have to select places where their unique color will appear brighter. So, for example, varieties:

‘Gray Lady’

‘Secret’ will look more impressive in partial shade.

Sometimes there are varieties of bush phlox that have weak shoots. Such phloxes must be protected from the wind when growing and caring for them. They will be more comfortable in areas surrounded by bushes or trees; You can also use the “services” of curtain plants. When choosing a place to grow phlox, you should not forget that plants planted on the north side of the site bloom later. This also applies to phloxes that grow under the crown. tall trees. In the northern regions for varieties of bush phlox late date When flowering, it is advisable to choose well-lit areas. Look at growing phlox in the photo, which shows all the main agrotechnical measures:

Conditions for growing phlox flowers in open ground: planting and care (with video)

Special conditions for growing phlox are needed; in particular, they should not be planted near trees and shrubs with a shallow root system: for example, near spruce, birch, apple trees, and chokeberries, since they actively absorb moisture from the soil. It is recommended to avoid placing phlox flowers for growing next to barberry and pine. These crops are intermediate hosts of the rust fungus, which attacks many plants, including, although rarely, phlox.

For growing phlox in open ground, low, flooded places are unacceptable. melt water and torrential rains. Good predecessor for phlox are marigolds, calendula, nasturtium, eschscholzia.

Phloxes love loose fertile soil, good saturated with air soil free of weeds. They grow well on neutral, slightly alkaline and slightly acidic soils (pH 6.0 - 7.5). Plant uptake minerals from the soil is associated with the respiration of roots, as a result of which the energy necessary for the nutrition process is generated. But if the soil is very dense or excessively wet, the roots constantly lack oxygen and cannot fully absorb nutrients, even when there are enough. Planting phlox in open ground and subsequent care of the crop requires regular application of mineral and organic fertilizers.

Air permeability of the soil is achieved by adding slightly decomposed peat, finely chopped moss, semi-rotted leaf soil and other leavening agents.

An increase in soil moisture capacity is achieved by adding organic components: peat, humus, leaf soil, compost. These materials, with the exception of high-moor peat, contain humic substances that allow them to retain water well. Raised, slightly decomposed peat, as well as sphagnum moss, do not contain humus substances, but retain water well due to the special cellular structure of peat-forming plants. Watch the video of growing phlox, which shows all the main agrotechnical aspects of care:

Planting phlox and caring for them in early spring after winter (with video)

In principle, phlox can be planted and replanted at any time: from the moment when growth shoots appear until the end of summer. However, it is better to plant phlox in the spring: after that, care will be easier. Already in July, renewal buds (vegetative eyes) form in the lower part of the shoots and rhizomes of phlox, and when planting plants you must be extremely careful not to damage them.

In September, in central Russia, transplanting phlox is no longer desirable, but if such a need arises, this must be done before the middle of the month, since in the event of early cold weather, the plants may not have time to grow stronger, take root well enough and prepare for wintering.

Transplantation with a lump (transshipment) is possible at any period of the growing season, while the growth of phlox almost does not stop, but their development slows down, flowering begins at a later date. If bush phloxes are planted on permanent place, that is, for five to six years, the distance between plants should be 50 - 60 cm. When planting, the root part is buried no more than 2 - 3 cm, be sure to water well and, depending on the weather, continue to water for several days.

Basic care for phlox in early spring– weeding, watering and preventive measures.

Caring for phlox in the spring after winter is that, as soon as the top layer of soil dries out, lightly loosen around the bushes. The depth of loosening is determined by the nature of the location of the root system and renewal organs. Phlox paniculata has a shallow root system, so you should loosen it no deeper than 3 cm. When caring for phlox after winter, it is better to leave the soil around the bush (about 10 cm) untouched so as not to damage the awakening buds. Watch the video for caring for phlox in the spring, which illustrates all the tips:

Caring for perennial phlox in the spring at the dacha

Phlox are sensitive to lack of moisture. Heat and drought are destructive for them. If there is a lack of water, you may notice that the leaves of plants droop or curl upward in the hot afternoon hours, although the next morning they look elastic and fresh. If phloxes do not receive water in time, they wither and cannot recover. It is very important to remember when caring for phloxes in the spring at the dacha that the lack of moisture in late autumn reduces the winter hardiness of phloxes. Water so that the entire treated layer of soil gets wet (15-20 liters of water per 1 sq. m).

Phlox suffers from both a lack and an excess of water. Their root system is located in the upper oxygen-rich layer of soil. When it is oversaturated with moisture, the root system begins to lack oxygen and dies quite quickly, leading to the death of the entire plant.

Lack of carbon dioxide also has a negative effect on phlox, which leads to a decrease in accumulation nutrients. Caring for perennial phlox in the spring, you need to enrich the soil carbon dioxide, this can be done by introducing organic fertilizers, which also improve its structure. During a hot, dry period, if it is not possible to constantly be on the site and water the phlox, mulching the plantings is effective.

Mulch is the keeper of soil fertility; it prevents moisture evaporation and reduces the number of waterings, protects phlox roots from overheating, protects the soil from compaction, and prevents the appearance of weeds.

Rotted leaves, humus or grass clippings can be used as mulch. Leaf compost improves soil structure and water holding capacity. By the age of five, some varieties of phlox lose their attractiveness, the shoots become thin, the inflorescences and flowers become smaller. Such plants need to be rejuvenated.

During the growing season of plants, preventive treatments are periodically carried out against pests and diseases (spraying or dusting) and fertilizing.

At the end of flowering, in order to prevent self-seeding and preserve varietal phloxes, the inflorescences are cut off. This pruning stimulates the formation of a large number of side shoots, which sometimes bloom in the fall.

Top dressing when caring for phlox in spring

Phlox grow quickly and require a lot of nutrients; therefore, plants should be fed in early spring, then at the time of budding (the phase of the beginning of inflorescence formation) and at the beginning of flowering. When caring for phlox in the spring, you can use organic and mineral fertilizers as fertilizers. In the spring, overwintered phlox begin to grow due to the reserves of nutrients in the rhizome, but already in the first stages, they need nitrogen nutrition. Therefore, when the flowers of a branch are approximately 5 cm deep (the “brush” phase), it is recommended, as part of phlox care in the spring, to carry out dry fertilizing with ammonium nitrate, in the grooves at a distance of 10 cm from the bush or in the aisles (can be scattered) at the rate of 25 - 30 g per 1 sq. m. When caring for phlox, fertilizing is applied only to moist soil.

In summer feeding, during the budding period, potassium and phosphorus should prevail. Potassium affects the resistance of plants to diseases, heat, cold, and the brightness of the color of flowers. Phosphorus enhances root growth and strengthens shoots. But it should be remembered that the effect of phosphorus has a beneficial effect only in the presence of nitrogen.

A month before the end of the growing season, nitrogen fertilizers should be eliminated. You should always be extremely careful with them. Nitrogen stimulates the growth of green mass, but we should not forget that due to excess nitrogen, phlox can be more susceptible to diseases, cracking and lodging of shoots. Phloxes are especially responsive to organic matter. To achieve the best effect, it is recommended to alternate organic fertilizers with mineral ones. It is very useful to add wood ash under the phloxes. Adding it to the “diet” will enhance the brightness of the color of flowers due to the potassium it contains and will relieve many problems. Ash does not only contain nitrogen, but it contains all the macro- and microelements. The dose of ash is 100 - 200 g per 1 sq. m.

To prepare an ash solution, pour 300 - 500 g of ash into two liters of water, boil for no more than 10 minutes, cool, strain and dilute in 10 liters of water. It can also be used as foliar feeding.

Ash solution is also used as a pest control agent. It has a sterilizing effect, in other words, it prevents the proliferation of many types of pests. Stove ash is very valuable, especially birch ash - this is the “golden” fertilizer for phlox. However, everything should be in moderation; you should not be too zealous with ash, so as not to increase the pH of the soil. It is worth noting that phloxes prefer foliar feeding than root feeding. Weeding is one of the mandatory maintenance techniques. Many weeds are intermediate hosts of the fungus Erysiphe cichoraceamm f. phbgis, which causes the disease powdery mildew, as well as rust and other fungi. Therefore, timely removal of weeds significantly reduces the risk of phlox infection. You should carefully destroy thistle, sow thistle, dandelion, creeping wheatgrass, shepherd's purse, horse sorrel, and acorn grass. Uprooted weeds are collected and taken outside the site.

Famous chemical method Weed control is effective only for the destruction of their seedlings. Seeds in the soil, even when using herbicides, can remain viable for several years.

This necessitates repeated treatments with chemicals, which can lead to the accumulation of residual amounts of drugs and the death of planted plants. Since the rate of decomposition of herbicides used on flower crops, has been little studied, this method of weed control should not be abused.

Caring for phlox in autumn

Particular attention should be paid to preparing phlox for winter. In late autumn, when caring for phlox, dying shoots of bushes are cut to soil level or to a low stump. The height of the stump should be 5-10 cm. When cutting shoots to soil level, try not to damage the formed renewal buds (vegetative eyes). Practice has shown that autumn pruning of phlox shoots to soil level makes it easier spring work in the garden. It has also been noticed that phloxes that are not pruned in the fall are much more likely to freeze in the spring, which is associated with uneven melting of snow.

It is more convenient to prune in dry weather. When pruning shoots, check the position of the rhizome, how deep it is in the soil. If necessary, add fertile soil (you can sprinkle it with sand), which in the spring, as early as possible, will need to be very carefully raked, trying not to damage the growing young shoots.

After pruning the shoots, the soil surface is cleared of weeds and fallen leaves from the phlox. All cut parts of plants are also removed and destroyed.

Gardeners highly value such interesting flowers as phlox. The plant looks bright and impressive. It is not particularly difficult to grow. Availability of many varieties and the ability to combine with others ornamental crops allows you to create original compositions that can revive and decorate any unsightly area. What are annual varieties and perennial phlox flowers: planting and caring for them - the article will tell you about all this.

Phlox flowers belong to the Blue family. At the moment, more than 60 varieties are known, most of which are successfully grown by domestic gardeners and flower growers. The peculiarity of this culture is that it is able to change its appearance depending on growing conditions. Almost every garden plot there are phloxes. Of course they require special attention. But this process is fascinating and brings great pleasure.

What phlox looks like is shown below:

What types of phlox are there?

It should be noted that there are many varieties of this culture. And each variety has its own description of phlox flowers. Phloxes are diverse even within the same species. These garden plants recognized as the most winter-hardy.

Depending on the height, all flowers are divided into the following types:

1. Tall. They are able to grow up to 1-2 meters.
2. Average. Usually reach 0.5-1 meters.
3. Low. Their height does not exceed 50 centimeters. There are also balcony phloxes that grow about 20 centimeters.

Depending on the size and shape of the flower, color and growth characteristics, all phloxes are divided into creeping, low-growing, loose-grass and large shrub varieties.

Phlox flowers also include annual and perennial flowers. In cultivated form, all species of this plant are perennial. The only exception is the Drummond type and its varieties. These annual crops are quite popular among domestic gardeners and flower growers.

Below are garden phlox which are most in demand:

When choosing indoor phlox, it makes sense to pay attention to Drummond varieties. The compactness of the plant and its unpretentiousness are the main arguments in favor of growing it in a city apartment.

At the moment, several varieties of Drummond have been developed. Most often, summer residents choose phlox Twinkling Star and Starry Rain. The Twinkling Star is characterized by double buds. The variety is quite young. The height of the bush is 25-30 centimeters. The inflorescences look like scutes. Their color varies from white to dark red. For growing in a pot, the Twinkling Star is perfect option. This miniature plants can often be found on balconies and loggias.

Star rain is highly resistant to drought and frost. Its flowering period is very long. It is a shrub about 50 centimeters high. Stems are branching, straight. The inflorescences are racemose, star-shaped, and exude a pleasant aroma. The variety loves sunny places. Therefore, it is not planted in shaded areas.

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Decorative bright phlox gardeners willingly grow on their plots because of the varied palette of colors and long flowering from spring to autumn frosts. Besides lush inflorescences You can cut them and make bouquets or compositions from them that will last a long time. How to grow phlox from seeds, you can learn about the features of their planting and care from our article.

Description of the plant

The first wild species The flowers had a bright red color, for which they got their name - “phlox”, which means “flame”. Today the culture is spread throughout the world and is very popular due to its unpretentiousness.

Most phloxes are perennials, which differ:

Beautiful and spectacular phloxes grow quickly and are winter hardy.

Types and varieties

The plant is divided into bush and ground cover species.

Low-growing perennial

Creeping or ground cover bushes can have stems from 5 to 40 cm long. They grow well in width, so they are often used for decoration alpine slide. The most popular low-growing phloxes are the following varieties:

1. Forked. A plant with slightly pubescent stems and unusual shape flowers. The petals of the buds are dissected, which makes it seem like there are not one, but several flowers. The color of the inflorescences is mainly blue and white.
2. Douglas. The bush, up to 10 cm high, is distinguished by a dense cushion of flowers, which are located on hard stems. The color can be purple, white, lilac. Flowering continues from May to June.
3. Phlox subulate. A popular low-growing plant with stems up to 18 cm long. When planted in open ground awl-shaped phlox covers a large area of ​​soil with purple, white or pink inflorescences. The plant first blooms in May-June, after which beautiful numerous flowers bloom on the bush again in August and September.

Gallery: phlox (25 photos)

Bush perennial

Bushes of the plant are the most common, and they are most often decorate flower beds in the garden. They are short - up to one meter high and tall - more than a meter high.

Low growing varieties:

1. Orange perfection- a variety with salmon-colored buds that appear pink in the bright sun.
2. Tiara– unpretentious and beautiful plant with emerald greenery, against the background of which the inflorescences stand out with their snow-whiteness.
3. Sherbet Cocktail- a fast-growing shrub with olive-colored flowers.

Tall varieties:

1. Magic Blue- a variety that blooms with scarlet, blue, lilac or white flowers that bloom in early summer and decorate the garden until September.
2. Tenor- a profusely flowering plant with bright inflorescences purple-red color.
3. Nicky – perennial bush up to 1.2 meters high. At the beginning of summer, dark, rich flowers bloom on it, which fade only in September.
4. Natasha- a plant up to one and a half meters high with blue and white buds.
5. Windsor– one and a half meter bush, distinguished by elongated leaves oval shape and the color of the inflorescences from white to carmine.

Reproduction

There are several ways to propagate and grow perennial phlox:

• seed;
• cuttings;
• dividing the bush;
• layering.

From seeds

A plant grown from seeds will be the most adapted to the climate of the region. Seeds are sold in the store, but if phlox is already growing on the site, you can collect the planting material yourself. To do this in the fall, when the leaves of the plant wither, tear off the brown seed pod and extract the seeds from it. They should be dark green and have a dense structure.

Phlox is planted with seeds in the fall. This is explained by the fact that planting material removed from the seed pod quickly loses its viability and should be used as quickly as possible.

It is recommended to plant phlox in November, having prepared a flower bed in advance for sowing the seeds. The snow is cleared from it and the seeds are laid out on the surface of the soil. They need to be sprinkled 1 cm layer of prepared or purchased soil mixture and snow. With this method of planting, seed germination is about 70%.

You can sow seeds not in the ground, but in filled with a mixture of soil, humus and sand containers. Sowing is done to a depth of 1–2 cm. The container is left outside, sprinkled with leaves or snow on top. In the spring it is brought into warm room, where the seeds begin to hatch and germinate.

Gallery: phlox in garden design (25 photos)

Cuttings

Cuttings for planting can be cut from almost any part of the bush:

1. At the beginning of summer, leaf cuttings are prepared, which should have an axillary bud and a leaf. The bud goes 1–2 cm into the soil. Rooting should take place in a greenhouse at a temperature of +20 °C to +30 °C. Timely soil moisture is necessary. By autumn, leaf cuttings germinate, and in spring they are planted outdoors priming.
2. Stem cuttings are cut in May-June or September. There should be at least two knots on a segment about 10 cm long. The lower cut is made immediately below the node, and the upper cut is made 2–3 cm above the node. Lower leaves The cutting is removed from the segment and placed in water for an hour. The cuttings should germinate in moist soil. Before planting, a small cut should be made at the bottom of the segment. The container with cuttings is covered with film on top.
3. Root cuttings are harvested in May-June. To do this, the bush is dug up and healthy roots are cut into pieces 5 cm long. A container with sand and soil is prepared for them, where they are planted obliquely. Germination occurs in the first two weeks at an air temperature of 10°–15°C, after which the container with cuttings must be placed in a room with an air temperature of 20°–25°C. The soil must be moistened regularly. This method of growing phlox is used mainly when the bush is infected with nematodes.

Dividing the bush

In spring or early autumn, you can dig up bushes and divide them. For this, a healthy, mature four- or five-year-old plant is selected. You should dig carefully so as not to injure the roots. When dividing into parts, the root collars are carefully separated. The delenki are planted in a new permanent place.

By layering

Layers are made from lower shoots, which are bent and pinned to the ground, sprinkled with soil on top and moistened. After the cuttings take root, they are separated from the main bush and planted in a prepared place.

Landing Features

You can plant phlox at almost any time of the year:

The plant should be planted in a well-lit place with deep groundwater. Although the crop loves moisture, excessive moisture in the soil can lead to various fungal diseases and root rot.

The soil must be fertile, loose, permeable and light. The best option are loams with neutral or slightly acidic acidity. Wood ash and compost are added to the planting hole. If the acidity of the soil is increased, then lime is added.

When planting plants, the distance between them should be:

• 60–70 cm for tall bushes;
• 50 cm for medium-sized bushes;
• 35–40 cm for ground cover phlox.

The seedling is placed vertically in prepared holes. The roots are straightened and covered with earth, which is compacted. Each planted bush must be well watered. It is recommended to mulch the soil around the plant with humus or peat.

In one place at favorable conditions the culture grows and blooms well for 10 years. But experienced gardeners advise replanting phloxes every seven years. This is done to enhance flowering and rejuvenate the bush.

Care

Growing the plant does not require much effort or hassle. Phlox are moisture-loving, so first of all it is necessary to monitor soil moisture. Watering should be regular and plentiful. But the crop also does not tolerate stagnation of water in the soil.

The shrub should be watered at the root so that water does not fall on the inflorescences and leaves. On very hot days, watering should be done in the morning and evening.

Around the plant it is necessary to regularly remove weeds and loosen the soil. Mulch (peat or humus), which can be spread around the plant, will prevent the formation of weeds and maintain moisture in the soil.

1. As soon as the first shoots and leaves begin to appear on the plant, it needs to be fed with organic fertilizers. This can be wood ash or an infusion of manure (30 g per 8 liters of water).
2. During the swelling of the buds, a second feeding is done with special mixtures for flowering plants or mineral fertilizers.
3. At the end of summer, after flowering, the bushes are fertilized with phosphate and potassium. This will help the plant set buds for the next season and give strength for root development.

Fertilizers are applied after watering the plant.

In the fall, after the bushes have flowered, they need to be prepared for winter. To do this you need:

In this form, phlox will be able to overwinter well and will not freeze out in snowless winters.

Pests and diseases

Under unfavorable growing conditions and improper care plants can be affected by various diseases:

1. On fungal diseases roots indicates faded color and wilting of the bush.
2. Powdery mildew can be recognized by a whitish coating on the leaves and shoots.
3. With Phoma, the stem cracks and the leaves turn yellow and curl.
4. Leaf spotting can be recognized by brown spots that are increasingly increasing in size.

All diseases must be treated with special medications that can be purchased at gardening stores.