Snow Phlox

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

Snow phlox (Latin Phlox nivalis) - flowering culture; a representative of the genus Phlox of the Sinyukhovye family. Belongs to the group of creeping phlox. Homeland - USA. Typical natural places are oak groves, as well as areas with dry sandy loam soils rich in humus. In appearance, the species under consideration is similar to the styloid phlox (Latin Phlox subulata), differs in compactness.

Characteristics of culture

Snow phlox is represented by evergreen perennial plants no more than 15 cm in height with creeping stems pubescent over the entire surface, forming dense sod during the growth process. The foliage is green, subulate, about 1, 2-1, 5 cm long. The flowers are small, purple, white, pale pink, pale lilac or reddish-orange, 1, 2-1, 3 cm in diameter. It blooms at the end of May - early June during the month, sometimes less, which largely depends on growing conditions, care, location and climate.

It is rarely used in ornamental gardening, it is considered an uncommon species. It cannot boast of winter hardiness. Suitable for decorating rocky gardens, hills, slopes. Looks great in combination with other low-growing perennials, as well as conifers. There are few varieties of snow phlox, among them only three are distinguished: Nivea (Nivea), Kamla (Kamla) and Jill Alexander (Jill Alexander).

Growing conditions and subtleties of cultivation

Snow phlox feels good on sandy and sandy loam, permeable, loose, moderately moist soils. They have a negative attitude to stagnant water, prolonged drought (although in nature plants actively develop in stony and dry areas), strong and piercing winds, as well as overly poor soils. Strongly acidic, heavy clayey, weedy, poor, waterlogged soils for growing snow phlox are not suitable. The location is preferably semi-shaded with diffused light or sunny. The first is optimal. In the open sun, the species in question blooms more abundantly, but fades faster, in addition, the flowers fade greatly.

Caring for plants is simple, and consists of the simplest procedures, namely watering, fertilizing, preventive treatments against pests and diseases, as well as pruning. It should be noted that the development of plants and the abundance of flowering largely depends on top dressing. It is impossible to limit yourself to pre-planting feeding, because already in the first year the plant completely absorbs the previously introduced fertilizers. Moreover, the culture is perennial, in one place it grows for at least 5-10 years, without additional fertilizing, in the third year the plants will not delight with their beauty, they will turn into withered and sparse sod with a scanty amount of dull flowers.

Nitrogen fertilizers play a special role for most phloxes, including snow phlox. They are introduced in large quantities in the spring immediately after the snow melts. For example, if you use ammonium sulfate, 20 g per 1 square meter is sufficient. The second feeding is carried out in the phase of active growth; for this, nitrogen-potassium fertilizers are used. The third feeding is carried out during budding, using nitrogen (15 g per 1 sq. M.), Phosphoric (25 g per 1 sq. M.) And potassium (7 g per 1 sq. M.). By the way, phosphorus and potassium introduced during these periods will provide abundant and long flowering. The fourth top dressing involves the introduction of phosphorus and potash fertilizers, they will prepare phloxes for winter.

Pruning will allow plants to be decorative. It is carried out in the fall, preferably in the second or third decade of October. Phlox are cut at a height of 5-7 cm above the soil level. The base of the bushes and the soil are carefully treated with approved drugs against pests and diseases, and then covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves. Snow phlox is not a cold-resistant species, so a shelter is necessary for it.