Phlox Caroline

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

Phlox Carolina (Latin Phlox carolina) - flowering culture; a representative of the genus Phlox of the Sinyukhovye family. The second name is thick-leaved phlox. Belongs to the group of low-growing bush species. The homeland is the United States. Typical natural habitats - open to the sun forest glades and glades with slightly acidic soils. In appearance, the species under consideration is very similar to the mountain phlox (Latin Phlox ovata), this representative is also included in the group of undersized bush species. Phlox Caroline, unlike its close relatives, is rarely used in landscaping gardens and personal plots, although it boasts high decorative properties and the ability to bloom for a long time and abundantly.

Characteristics of culture

Phlox Caroline, or thick-leaved, is represented by plants no more than 60 cm in height with smooth or slightly pubescent, straight stems, covered with purple strokes or stripes, forming compact bushes. The foliage is green, smooth, narrow, oblong-ovoid. The upper leaves are elliptical or oval, stalk-enveloping.

The flowers are rather large, intense pink or purple, monochromatic, collected in small paniculate or corymbose inflorescences. Caroline phlox blooms from June to September. Designed for creating various landscape compositions and mixborders. Also, the view will be appropriate in groups on the lawn. There are few varieties of Caroline phlox, or thick-leaved, of which only two are used by gardeners.

This is:

* Mrs. Lingard (Mrs. Lingard) - the variety is represented by plants about 100 cm high with beautiful white flowers, collected in elongated inflorescences. Winter-hardy variety, suitable for central Russia.

* Bill Baker (Bill Baker) - the variety is represented by plants with a height of 70 cm with carmine-pink flowers, outwardly very similar to the flowers of the Canadian phlox (Latin Phlox canadense). Winter-hardy variety, suitable for central Russia.

For the first time the species of phlox Caroline was discovered in the Appalachians, however, its first name was "Pink Ridge". This name was given due to the appearance of the plant, because due to the abundant flowering, the green stems with purple strokes were not noticeable. In nature, Caroline phlox grows in sunny areas, its cultivated species have not changed their habit, although they are often called unpretentious plants.

One can partially agree with this statement, they can grow on almost any soil and even in partial shade, but in this case, the formation of a large number of flowers cannot be expected. Abundant flowering is possible only in sunny areas with slightly acidic, moderately moist, loose, permeable, nutritious soils.

Otherwise, Caroline phlox cannot be called a capricious plant, from its care it requires regular watering (especially during a prolonged drought), top dressing and preventive treatments against pests and diseases, which, by the way, rarely affect the culture (usually if the growing conditions are not observed).

Top dressing for the phlox Caroline is required, annual, but in less quantity than for other representatives of the genus. Fertilizers are recommended to be applied in liquid form. The first feeding is carried out immediately in the snow, the second - immediately after flowering.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

Dividing a bush is the simplest and most effective way to reproduce Caroline phlox (in fact, like other species). They start dividing in early spring or early autumn. In the spring, of course, it is preferable. In the summer, this procedure can be carried out, but not desirable. If the division in the summer could not be avoided, it is better to wait until the onset of cloudy weather, then the probability that the divisions will take root in a new place will be much higher.

The bush is dug up with a shovel, the soil is shaken off the roots and divided into parts by hands, carefully separating the root collars from each other. Old bushes are divided with a shovel or a garden knife. It is important to remember: on each division there should be several primordia and eyes, as well as a well-developed root system. Before planting, the roots are dipped in a freshly prepared clay talker. After planting, the soil is shed abundantly.