Phlox

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Phlox (Latin Phlox) - an annual or perennial plant or shrub of the Sinyukhovye family. Phlox is native to North America. Currently, there are over 65 species.

Characteristics of culture

Phlox is a herbaceous plant with erect stems up to 1.5 m high. The root system is branched, powerful, reaching a depth of 30 cm, with the exception of soil phlox. Leaves are entire, lanceolate, oval-lanceolate or ovate-elongated, oppositely arranged.

Flowers are solitary, tubular-funnel-shaped, five-petal, collected in paniculate or corymbose inflorescences, can be white, pink, red, lilac, scarlet or blue, there are polychrome varieties. Early bloom, May - June. Traditionally, phloxes are divided into three groups: creeping, bush and loose sod. Bush phloxes are divided into short and tall ones.

Growing conditions

Phlox - light-loving plants, grow best in areas illuminated throughout the day. Some forms tolerate light shading with ease, especially at noon. Phlox varieties with dark flowers are susceptible to sunburn, so they should be grown under openwork crowns of trees and tall shrubs.

Phlox is a frost-resistant crop, it tolerates severe frosts without problems, however, it has a negative attitude to sudden temperature changes. It is recommended to plant phlox in protected places, where a large amount of snow accumulates. In regions with little snow and frosty winters, phloxes are covered with lutrasil or mulched with peat.

Phloxes do not tolerate excessive moisture and prolonged drought. Soils for growing crops are preferable moderately moist, loose, fertile, loamy with a neutral pH reaction. There are species that thrive best in arid and poor areas, such as subulate phlox.

Reproduction and planting

Phlox is propagated by seeds, dividing the bush, growth shoots, as well as leaf, stem and root cuttings. Sowing phlox is carried out from early spring to late autumn. The division of culture is carried out only in spring and autumn, in summer only in cloudy weather.

The simplest and most effective way is propagation by stem cuttings. Cuttings are cut with two leaf nodes and well-developed leaves. Cuttings are planted in a shaded place under a shelter in the form of a film, with the appearance of sprouts, the shelter is removed. Rooted cuttings are transplanted in July-August. The distance between the plants should be 15-20 cm. Young phloxes are planted in a permanent place in the third year. It is advisable to propagate the subulate phlox by dividing the bush, the seed method is not effective.

Care

Phlox is an unpretentious plant, does not need special care. Phlox is able to put up with any conditions, but in order for it to develop normally and bloom profusely, it is necessary to regularly water it, especially in severe drought.

The culture needs systematic weeding and loosening. Phlox reacts positively to fertilization; 2-3 top dressing should be carried out per season. Before the onset of stable frosts, the plants are cut at a height of 10-12 cm from the soil surface and mulched with peat or sawdust.

Subulate phlox require pinching of the lashes, in this case, the clumps of plants will be denser and without gaps. This procedure is carried out in the spring. Excess lashes of subulate phlox are removed only after flowering.

Phloxes are often affected by viral and fungal diseases, in particular, annular and necrotic spotting, curly or wrinkled leaves, septoria, rust, phomosis or powdery mildew. Of the pests for the culture, the most dangerous are nematodes, slugs and butterfly caterpillars.

Application

It is difficult to imagine modern flower gardens without flowering phloxes. Plants are used to create rock gardens, mixborders, ridges and carpet flower beds. Phloxes are often planted in groups on lawns and lawns. Shade-tolerant forms are grown under the crowns of trees, on the banks of reservoirs, near the walls of houses and outbuildings. Phlox are ideal for landscaped gardens, small summer cottages and rustic gardens.