Perennial phloxes: planting, care and combinations of phloxes. 120 photos and videos of the best ideas for using plants

• November 2, 2018
• Flowers
• Marina Nikolaeva

Perennial phlox is a favorite among gardeners. This is a plant with remarkable decorative properties, which is widely used in landscape design. It attracts with its beautiful and bright caps of inflorescences and pleasant aroma.

How to grow perennial phlox? How difficult is it to care for them? When to plant them and how to propagate them? We will try to answer all these questions in the article.

What do perennial phlox look like?

A herbaceous plant belonging to the family Polemoniaceae. There are about 85 varieties of it in nature, and no more than forty are used in landscape design. Perennial phlox are decorative flowers with bright petals and a wonderful scent that were first discovered in North America. Their name translates as “flame”. It is explained by the fact that initially only scarlet phlox existed.

The plants are bushes of varying heights - from 10 centimeters to 1.5 meters, with straight, even stems and oval-shaped leaves. At the end of the stem there is an inflorescence, which can contain up to 90 small tubular flowers, which always have five petals.

Thanks to the constant work of breeders around the world, gardeners have the opportunity to grow phlox of various shades: purple and pink, blue and crimson, snow-white, etc.

Phlox paniculata

This is perhaps the most common type of phlox, which can be found in almost every flower garden. It blooms all summer until early autumn, striking in color and filling the garden with a pleasant sweet aroma.

Paniculate phloxes are indispensable for misborders and borders. They can be safely planted in the most visible place, without worrying that the flowers will fade due to the heat and scorching sun. On the other hand, they bloom no less luxuriantly even in light shade.

It is important to consider that for good growth, paniculate phlox need good air circulation, so you should not plant them close to buildings. These plants should never be mulched in the summer.

Wherever you place this phlox bushes, you can be sure that bees and butterflies will constantly be circling around.

This is a bush type of phlox, which belongs to the tall group. Panicle phlox grow up to 1.2 m in height depending on the variety and prefer moderate watering and well-drained soil.

Amethyst

Spectacular phlox of medium height with fragrant inflorescences of a bluish-purple hue.

Blue Paradise

Blue Paradise is a paniculate phlox with charming bluish-lavender flowers that exude a pleasant light aroma. This cultivar is considered tall.

Bright Eyes

A charming medium-growing phlox with a strong aroma. It is not afraid of fungal diseases and is unlikely to cause you any trouble in caring for it.

David

Luxurious snow-white phlox David received a prestigious award from British flower growers. This stately beauty grows well both in the sun and in partial shade, and practically does not get sick.

Delilah

A low plant with pinkish-purple flowers. Phlox varieties Delila are generally not capricious and resistant to various kinds of diseases, but can sometimes be susceptible to spotting.

Candy Twist

Candy Twist is a variety of paniculate phlox with playful striped colors reminiscent of a candy cane. This phlox is very fragrant, does not fade in the sun, and is disease resistant.

Sandro Botticelli

A delightful variety of phlox selected by Yuri Reprev is deservedly named after the great Italian painter. Sandro Botticelli delights with its delicate lilac-pink color. You'd think it came straight from an artist's canvas.

Types of perennial phlox

A fairly large group of plants of this genus is widespread in horticulture. We present to you the most common types of these plants in our country.

• Phlox subulate.

A light-loving and very early-blooming species, which is famous for its lush and abundant flowering. The inflorescences of awl-shaped phlox can have a variety of shades. The bush is low, but at the same time densely branched and lush. The plant received its name due to its narrow awl-shaped leaves. During active flowering, almost no foliage is visible on the shrub due to the densely planted caps of inflorescences. This type of phlox looks great in flowerpots, as flower beds, and borders.

• Phlox paniculata.

This species blooms in mid-summer, forming huge fragrant inflorescences of various colors. Breeders use it to develop new hybrid varieties - for example, terry phlox Pure Feelings, Natural Feelings with small flowers reminiscent of a lilac branch, phlox Orange, which is a frost-resistant and unpretentious variety. Its inflorescences are painted in an unusual orange color.

• Phlox spread out.

This species is represented by compact bushes (up to 40 cm) with woody stems. This variety begins to bloom in mid-spring with lilac or blue inflorescences.

• Phloxes of Arends.

A tall hybrid species that blooms for a long time. But gardeners are especially attracted by its ability to bloom again after pruning. The disadvantage of this plant is that it has rather weak stems that need support.

• Phlox spotted.

This species is famous for the unusual variegated color of its flowers with numerous streaks and spots. The plant grows well in partial shade. The most popular varieties in our country include Alpha, Rosalind, Natasha, Omega and Delta.

You can see what these beautiful inhabitants of the garden look like in the photos used as illustrations for the article.

Brief description of the species and popular varieties

Plants grow in the form of a small bush from 10 cm to 1.5 m in height. Stems are straight and even. The leaves are oval and bright green. The inflorescence has many flowers, up to 90 pieces. They are elongated, tube-shaped, and have five petals.

Phlox perennial

The most popular varieties are below.

Subulate

The height of the bush reaches up to 40 cm. They have many shoots. The leaves have a narrow needle-like shape.

Flowering occurs in mid-spring; inflorescences abundantly cover the bushes. They come in white, violet, pink, purple.

The plant can be grown in gardens, flower beds, and lawns. The bushes creeping along the paths look good. The species is undemanding in terms of care. Problems can only arise during reproduction. To do this, you need to choose a certain time of year for the flower to survive.

Phlox subulate

Spread

Another name is Canadian, or loose-grass phlox. The plant is low growing. It has flowers of lilac or blue color. Corymb-shaped inflorescences. The petals are narrowed at the base and widened at the edges. Flowering occurs in late spring, early summer. The maximum height of the bush reaches 40 cm.

Habitat: wet meadows. It grows wild only in North America. In gardening, low-growing perennial phloxes are used for decorative purposes. The variety is unpretentious and hardy. It grows best in the central part of Russia. It grows better in moist and shady places than in dry and sunny ones.

Phlox splayed

Canadian

Grows wild in forests with moderate humidity. When do phloxes start to bloom? Late spring, early summer. The inflorescences are pink, blue, green.

The flower is unpretentious, but sufficient moisture is required for its growth. It is used for decorative purposes on stone terraces and flower walls.

For the flower to survive, the soil must be sandy-loamy. The variety can be propagated by planting part of a bush or seeds. The plant will bloom until the first frost.

Phlox canada

Paniculate

The maximum height of phlox is 1 m. It grows in natural conditions and is unpretentious. Blooms come in white, orange, blue, purple, and red colors. But there are varieties with interesting colors, such as streaks, pink and white stripes, yellow tips and pink bases. When flowers form, the aroma is strong but pleasant.

The shrub is low, so it can be grown both in pots on the balcony and in the garden. Flowering occurs in mid-summer and lasts up to two months. If you prune some of the shoots in May, you can regulate the flowering period. This prolongs the decorative period.

Phlox paniculata

Douglas

Low-growing phlox, which reaches a height of up to 30 cm. The flower is unpretentious and survives well in winter. But if it is wet and warm, it will begin to rot. Flowering occurs within 1.5 months. If the soil is excessively wet, this period will decrease dramatically.

To grow perennial dwarf phlox with white flowers, average humidity is required, preferably less direct sunlight. Inflorescences are notched. They have a crimson, pink, and white color.

Phlox Douglas

Drummond

This is an annual species with branched shoots. The maximum height of the bush reaches up to half a meter. Flowering occurs in mid-summer and ends before frost.

The natural color is red, but through hybridization pink, purple, yellow, white, and two-color varieties have been developed. The flowers are fragrant, collected in dense panicles. The buds are collected in tubes; when blooming, each petal has a lanceolate shape.

Note! If the flower is grown in the garden, it will be larger. If you grow the plant on the balcony in a pot, it will be smaller.

Phlox Drummond

Planting perennial phlox: choosing a place to plant

For most flowering plants, the site in which they are planted is of great importance. When planting perennial phlox in a well-lit area, they will actively develop and bloom luxuriantly. The only condition is that the place must be well protected from drafts and winds.

In a sunny garden bed, limited on the north side by a fence, it is also possible to plant perennial flowers. Phlox of shade-loving varieties thrive under trees and tall shrubs. Light-loving varieties, which include the vast majority of phloxes, should not be planted on the north side of the site. This arrangement can lead to a loss of decorativeness: the flowers become small and sparse, and the color fades.

Varieties of fire flowers

Below are the most popular varieties of perennial phlox - in fact, there are dozens and hundreds of them. All types of these plants share common features:

• unpretentiousness;
• winter hardiness;
• ease of reproduction;
• lush inflorescences;
• delicate shades;
• light pleasant aroma.

Important! The appearance of inflorescences of different varieties can vary greatly.

Taking into account the timing of flowering, the appearance of inflorescences and bushes, and the height of plants, phlox varieties can be classified.

There are four main types of fire flowers:

1. Subulate phlox.
2. Spread out.
3. Paniculate Phlox.
4. Drummond's annual.

The given photos of plants will help you navigate in choosing a variety and correctly compose a composition. A brief description and characteristics of each species will be useful to inexperienced gardeners and those who have never grown perennial phlox in their garden.

Subulate group of perennials

This group includes the shortest varieties, which are often called ground cover. These are the flowers that decorate alpine slides and use them in rockeries and other landscape compositions.

Characteristic features of a perennial awl-shaped plant:

• shoot height up to 20 cm;
• narrow needle-shaped leaves;
• the length of the leaves reaches a maximum of two centimeters;
• the bushes remain green until the first frost;
• from one to three inflorescences are formed on meek stems;
• flowering twice per season (from May to early July and from mid-August until the first cold weather).

A rug of awl-shaped phlox can be painted in absolutely any shade, but the inflorescences of white, blue, lilac and purple tones predominate.

Attention! An interesting fact is that, despite the variety of species and varieties, there are no phloxes with yellow inflorescences.

Anyone who grows awl-shaped varieties must take into account their characteristics:

1. Choose well-drained soil, ideally sandy.
2. Plant plants in well-lit areas.
3. Trim the tops of bushes after the first wave of flowering.
4. Rejuvenate the bushes every five years, dividing them.
5. Feed the plants twice a year: in spring and mid-summer.
6. Propagate phlox by lateral shoots and dividing the bush.

But all varieties of awl-shaped phlox tolerate heat and frost well, so they do not cause unnecessary trouble for the gardener.

Purple Beauty

This perennial phlox loves sunlight very much - this must be taken into account when choosing a place for flowers. The inflorescences of the ground cover plant are colored lilac-violet. The Violet Queen variety blooms at the end of May and June. The bushes are compact, up to only 17 cm high.

Advice! If, after wilting, perennial awl-shaped phloxes are cut back to a third of their height, you can expect a second wave of flowering - closer to autumn.

Petticoat

The flowers of this variety are forked and snow-white, so they are often compared to moths. Perennial phlox must be planted in soil with good drainage, which contains sand or small pebbles. Petticoat grows up to twenty centimeters. The inflorescences of this variety exude a very delicate sweet aroma. The palette includes not only white flowers, but also blue, purple and deep pink plants of the Petticoat variety.

Important! Regardless of the color of the inflorescences, the middle of the flower of this variety always has inclusions of a different shade.

Red Wings

This variety is easy to recognize - its buds are painted a very rich crimson color and simply glow in the flowerbed. The fire flower tolerates heat and cold very well, so it can be grown in regions with difficult climates. Loves well-drained soils, has an unpretentious nature, and blooms twice per season.

Splayed views

Perennial phloxes from the spreading group have the most unpretentious disposition - they require virtually no care and feel great in any conditions. These plants also have a stronger odor and can grow not only in the sun, but also in partial shade.

The appearance of splayed phloxes is characterized by the following features:

• the stem extends 20-40 cm (depending on the planting location: sun or partial shade);
• inflorescences are loose;
• the shape of the flowers is characteristic - the petals are wide at the edges, but narrow closer to the center;
• the shape of the leaves is elongated, the surface is hard, reaching five centimeters in length;
• flowering occurs at the end of May - beginning of June;
• The flowers are painted in white and blue shades.

In this group, unlike the previous one, there are many domestic varieties - they are easily recognized by the Russian name on the packaging. This explains the unpretentiousness of the spreading varieties - they are better adapted to the local climate.

A florist who has purchased splayed phlox for his garden should know that:

1. The flowers smell quite strongly, so you need to choose the right place to plant them.
2. Dense shade is not suitable for planting perennial phlox; they need at least diffuse sun.
3. The soil composition can be mixed, but must have good drainage.
4. Frosts are not terrible for splayed varieties.
5. Flowers reproduce only by lateral shoots.
6. Every 5-6 years the bushes need to be rejuvenated or replanted.

Blue dreams

The beauty of this variety of perennial phlox is the ability to grow flowers under trees and shrubs. A thick carpet of flowers exuding a wonderful aroma can decorate any gardens and parks, and looks great in flower beds. The inflorescences are painted in lilac-blue shades. The variety is very winter-hardy. Phlox must be propagated using lateral shoots.

White Perfume

Perennial phloxes are snow-white in color and exude a very strong spicy aroma that will fill the entire garden. The height of the bushes can reach thirty centimeters. These flowers can also be grown in the partial shade of trees and shrubs.

Paniculate fire flowers

This group is the most numerous - in almost any domestic garden there are paniculate-type phloxes. There are hundreds of varieties and types of such flowers.

The main distinctive features of paniculate perennial forms:

• division of varieties according to bush height (low - up to 60 cm, medium - up to 100 cm, high - up to 120 cm);
• leaves are lanceolate, elongated, about 8-14 cm long;
• the stems are smooth, even, woody in winter;
• inflorescences can have any shape and size (globular inflorescences predominate);
• the flowers are compact in fullness, but loose;
• According to the timing of flowering, varieties are also divided into three groups;
• the color palette is very wide.

Attention! Due to the huge number of varieties of paniculate phlox, it is more convenient to consider this group by the shades of the inflorescences - it is by this indicator that gardeners choose plants for their flowerbeds.

White flowers

Snow-white flowers look great against the backdrop of spring greenery, which is why such phloxes are quite common. There are many varieties of white perennial phlox, the most popular of which have the following names:

• late Foerster;
• blooming 50 days variety Heaven;
• Seafoam, blooming in midsummer;
• domestic variety with medium flowering periods Lebedushka.

Colorful flowers

From July to September, colorful varieties of perennial phlox bloom. The shades of these colors are so varied that it is very difficult to choose just one.

Popular varieties:

• bright pink phlox perennial Larisa;
• sky blue Blue Paradise;
• Margarita with raspberry blossoms;
• pale lilac Lavender variety.

Spotted panicle flower

Breeders place special emphasis on breeding precisely these multi-colored phloxes. After all, variegated plants with the most intricate combinations of patterns and shades are in greatest demand.

Today the following varieties are known:

• Ivan, blooming in midsummer;
• Europe, blooming from July to September;
• very gentle Miss Pepper;
• Bright Eyes with charming salmon balls of flowers.

Phillings

Dutch and English varieties of perennial phlox are classified into a separate group called fillings. A characteristic feature of such species is non-blooming flowers that look like buds.

Important! The most famous and popular variety of fillies is Red Phillies, shown in the photo below.

Soil requirements

When choosing a place to plant perennial phlox, you should take into account the quality of the soil on the site. The two main requirements that these plants place on the soil are its nutritional value and looseness. Loamy soil that has a neutral or slightly acidic reaction is ideal. If the soil is acidified, you should add a little lime to it before planting.

As a rule, the bed is prepared a year before planting phlox. You can fertilize the soil with wood ash, compost, and manure. Too dense soil with a clay structure needs to be made looser and lighter. Peat or river sand is used for this. If the soil is too loose, you can make it more nutritious or dense by adding compost or turf soil.

Phlox care

To ensure that phloxes do not lose their decorative properties for as long as possible, you need to follow a few simple care recommendations. This is not as difficult as is commonly believed, because the main thing is more watering and nutrition.

Temperature and lighting

Choose sunny or semi-shaded areas for phlox, because in the shade they bloom worse, quickly fade and become inconspicuous. Plants love warmth and do not tolerate strong winds and drafts. Tall bushes may be damaged by sudden gusts or rainstorms.

Watering

Abundant watering is a vital necessity for phloxes, otherwise they begin to dry out and crumble. To keep moisture in the ground longer, carefully mulch the soil. Regular moistening is the main requirement if you want phlox to bloom almost until autumn.

The soil

Phlox love moisture, so they normally tolerate soil with close groundwater. They grow quite densely and pull out everything they can from the ground, so the soil must be fertile and nutritious. Medium loamy, loose soils with high humidity are ideal.

Fertilizers and fertilizing

Phlox can live without feeding, but are ready to willingly absorb everything offered. Mullein, compost, wood ash, and mineral fertilizers are well suited. By the end of summer they need an increased portion of potassium, and during the season spraying with boric acid will not hurt.

Boarding time

Many novice gardeners are interested in when to plant perennial phlox. In most regions of our country, early spring – April-May – is suitable for planting. A more precise date depends on the local climate - the threat of return frosts must pass.

These plants can be rooted in open ground in September. The advantage of planting perennial phlox this way is that they will bloom next spring. As a rule, this method is used in the southern regions.

If you plan to plant perennial phlox in the fall, caring for them involves preparing the plant for winter (we'll talk about this later). It is important to plant the plants in such a way that they have time to take root before the first frost.

Sometimes gardeners are interested in how to grow perennial phlox planted in summer. Experts consider this method to be quite troublesome and does not guarantee a positive result. In this case, careful and regular moistening of the seedlings is required, which is very problematic for people who visit the dacha only on weekends.

Feeding during flowering

How to feed lilies in the fall and spring before flowering

June is the time when phlox buds form. How to feed phlox in June so that the plant receives additional nutrition. Chicken droppings will cope with this task, as well as mullein and slurry will feed phlox well. If these fertilizers are not available, then you can use a mixture of ammonium nitrate and water (30 g per 10 l per 1 sq. m.). In July the plant blooms and requires additional feeding. During this period, fertilize with nitrogen-potassium compounds (Flower mixture, agricola). If late-blooming phlox are planted in the garden, you need to feed them with phosphorus-potassium mixtures in August. How to properly water phlox at the beginning of summer? — Add 3 grams of boric acid to each bucket. Such watering will provide good nutrition to the root system.

Fertilizing during flowering

How to plant perennial phlox?

Cuttings must be planted in loosened and prepared soil. For low-growing varieties, the distance between plants should be at least 30 cm, and for tall varieties, this distance should be increased to 60 cm, since such bushes will require a lot of space. After planting, the seedlings are watered abundantly for two weeks so that they take root faster and begin to grow actively.

Differences in planting annual and perennial phlox

Planting phloxes that are part of annuals and perennials is practically the same, there are only a few nuances. For example, the distance between the second ones should be greater, since they grow over the years. The interval between low-growing varieties is up to 40 cm, medium-sized - up to 0.5 m, tall - at least 0.7 m.

Perennials must be covered with a layer of mulch for the winter; annuals do not need this.

When planting and caring for these representatives of the flora, it is recommended to adhere to a number of rules:

• The ideal area for germinating phlox should be shaded, level and have drainage for excess water. When planted next to trees or shrubs, the flower is protected from direct sunlight and hot winds.
• The soil is selected that is loosened, nutritious, and well-moistened. Lack of water leads to increased salt levels in the soil, which causes leaves to brown and wilt. It is forbidden to place phlox in clay soil.
• The place is prepared in advance; if the planting is in spring, then this is done in September, and vice versa.

Caring for annual phlox

Caring for annual phlox is quite simple. The soil around the flowers is carefully loosened and hilled 6 to 8 times per season.

They add organic matter and minerals to the soil. Primary feeding is carried out with liquid manure at the end of spring. The second - in June, a composition of superphosphate and humus is used. The third - in the middle of summer, use the same product as in May. The fourth - in August, a mixture of potassium salt and phosphorus.

Caring for perennial phlox

During flowering, the plant is watered once every 2-3 days. In very hot and dry summers, the frequency of moisture application is increased. After each such procedure, the earth is thoroughly loosened.

When the flowers are still young, they are constantly cleared of weeds. This is done after adding water, since working with wet soil is much easier.

Perennials require constant feeding, so in May, nitrogenous components are used to speed up the process of acquiring healthy green mass. Then a composition of potassium and phosphorus is used to ensure abundant flowering.

When caring for phloxes in the middle zone, they are provided with shelter for the winter. Before the arrival of frost, the bushes are cut off almost to the rhizome, and then mulched with organic components and straw.

Transplantation is carried out every 6-7 years.

Dividing the bush

This is a more complex method than the previous one, but it gives good results. Planting with rhizomes in the spring is the best option, but in some cases the procedure of dividing the bush is carried out in early autumn. Experienced gardeners recommend dividing the bush in the spring, as it takes root more successfully and easily.

Only adult healthy and strong bushes that are at least five years old can be divided. To do this, you need to dig up the bush, being careful not to injure the roots. It is divided into equal parts, but so that each division has at least one full root. The separated parts are immediately rooted in open ground in a permanent place.

Reproduction

These flowers are propagated by green or autumn cuttings, as well as seeds.

The first type of shoots is harvested at the end of spring, when phloxes grow to 12-15 cm. The procedure is carried out according to this plan:

• The shoots are cut off and 2-3 developed buds are left on the mature bush.
• The cuttings are placed in water for 60 minutes. This improves rooting and reduces the likelihood of the plant wilting.
• The shoot is cleared of the foliage located below, shortened by 50% and a cut is created under the bud. The final length of planting material is 6-10 cm.
• Place in open ground in a shaded area or in a greenhouse. They are buried 10-15 mm into the soil and compacted a little. For better rooting, cover with a layer of damp paper.

Autumn cuttings are harvested in late summer or early September. To do this, parts of young shoots are cut off and prepared similarly to the previous method. Placed in heated greenhouses or greenhouses. When transporting to a permanent place, they are deepened well so that the main part of the buds is underground.

Phlox seeds have a high germination rate, so they are placed in open ground in September. This planting material is also planted in cold weather; for this purpose, special containers are used, which are subsequently transported to the cold for stratification. Then they are brought into a warm place to melt and the friendly shoots of seedlings are observed.

Propagation by seeds

This is a rather lengthy and labor-intensive method - planting perennial phlox with seeds. Care (photos of this process are often published in gardening publications) is also a little more complicated, so it is not often practiced. Seeds should be purchased at the store or collected yourself.

Planting perennial phlox and caring for it in the fall in this case comes down to sowing the seeds in a container with a soil mixture consisting of sand and humus. The seed is buried no more than two centimeters. The container, covered with fallen leaves on top, is left outside, due to which the seeds are naturally stratified throughout the winter.

In early spring, a container with seeds is brought indoors so that the seeds begin to germinate.

Site selection

The abundance and duration of flowering depend on the light level. Different groups of phlox have different lighting requirements. Bush forms are suitable for sunny or slightly shaded areas; for tall bushes with bright flowers, an area with diffused light is the best option.

Climate plays a role in choosing a location - in warm regions, a cool area with slight shading is preferable to avoid overheating of the soil; in regions with cold winters, you need to choose a place protected from draft winds and well-lit for most of the day. In a windy area, the bush falls apart and becomes sloppy.

Most types (varieties) of creeping and loose turf phlox are suitable for sunny areas - in a shaded area the carpet will not be as bright and dense as in the sun. Open areas blown by the wind are not scary for them. But when choosing a variety, you need to pay attention to its characteristics so as not to make a mistake with the place - some varieties, for example, spreading phlox, will delight with bright flowering even in partial shade.

It is not recommended to plant phlox next to evergreen, coniferous, deciduous crops whose roots are located superficially (for example, willow, lilac).

If we talk about the relief, then you can use both a flat surface and a small slope - the main thing is that there is no stagnation of moisture. When planting perennial phlox near buildings or fences, you need to pay attention to the orientation of the object, its features - bushes and some varieties of ground cover forms will not grow on the north side, where there is not enough light and it is cool.

Soil requirements

The approach to soil composition must be individual, since each species has its own requirements - the growth and flowering of the same variety will differ in soil of different composition.

Bush forms are most comfortable in loamy, fertile, loose soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7; carpet forms like light sandy loam, loamy soils with a neutral pH, but clayey, dense, acidic soils are not suitable for them. If groundwater is located close or melt water drains slowly, then a drainage layer or high ridges or flower beds are needed.

Since bush varieties naturally grow on forest edges, meadows, and floodplains, wet soils are preferable for them and loose turf forms in the garden; in dry soils they will need to be watered frequently. Ground cover phloxes tolerate drought well.

Any soil for planting perennial phlox is prepared in advance - in the previous season or 3-6 months in advance. The minimum time for the soil to structure and settle is two weeks.

Preparation stages:

• free the area from weeds, roots, debris;
• dig, adding sand (peat) to heavy soils, clay, peat, manure to sandy soils, at a pH of at least 5 - a glass of ash per bush, to acidic soils - lime (lime in an amount of 300-350 g/m² increases the pH by one );
• in soils that are too wet, build a drainage layer;
• fertilize with organic matter (compost, humus) - ½ bucket in each hole or 1.5-2 buckets per 1 m², planting to a depth of no more than 20 cm, since the roots are located superficially;
• simultaneously add ash (100-150 g/m²), superphosphate (50-60 g/m²);
• if the soil has been dug up since the fall, and planting occurs in the spring, then it needs to be dug up again, compost and 50 g/m² of mineral fertilizers must be added (superphosphates are used only in the fall).

Sawdust or shavings added with compost lead to a nitrogen deficiency in the soil, because it is needed by cellulose bacteria. In addition, sawdust contains pathogens of fungal infections.

Landing

When planting seedlings, it is important to maintain a distance between them - the roots grow and they need free space. Slow and weak growing varieties can be planted at shorter intervals than recommended.

Spacing between seedlings:

• low-growing, border, loose-turf species - 35-40 cm;
• carpet – 25-30 cm;
• medium-high – 50-55 cm;
• tall – 60-70 cm.

Before planting, the roots are shortened to 15 cm, the stems to 5-15 cm, the sections are treated with coal powder or ash, then the root system is lowered into a growth stimulator for 2-3 hours. A small mound is poured into a hole slightly larger than a clod of earth, a seedling is installed, loose roots are straightened, covered with soil, lightly compacted, and watered (1/2 bucket per bush). The root collar should be 3-5 cm below the soil level.

For better rooting, after three days you can water it with Kornevin (4 g/1 l), spending ½ liter on each seedling.

Preparing for winter

Phlox, like the vast majority of perennials, reject the weakest shoots in winter. To prevent the plant from being too damaged, it is necessary to prepare the bush for winter sleep. This work is carried out in several stages:

1. Feeding phlox in the fall with fertilizers containing potassium phosphate substances.
2. Pruning of bushes, which is carried out to rejuvenate the plant.
3. Mulching phlox. Horse manure is used for this. A covering material can be laid on top of the mulched soil to retain snow and prevent the soil from freezing.

Typical mistakes when fertilizing phlox

Many gardeners make mistakes when feeding, after which the plant will develop poorly or die. When fertilizing is carried out, it is strictly forbidden to: exceed the concentration of fertilizers; use fresh manure in its pure form; Fertilize with nitrogen in the fall; use dry fertilizers on unwatered soil; fertilize during the daytime; do not cover the plant with organic matter before October.

Thus, the most important thing is to properly feed phlox in spring and summer. Poor plant care will not give phlox a lush bud. If it is unclear what to fertilize phlox with, you can consult specialized stores.

The use of phlox in landscape design

These flowers are becoming more and more popular every year. They look great in group plantings, not just single ones. Bushes consisting of seedlings of different colors look especially attractive. Phloxes create original compositions with exotic plants, with kniphofia, for example, or coniferous trees.

Phlox of the same color is used to create a bright spot on a green lawn - this planting looks fresh and original. To create a rhythmic composition, they should be planted using the mixborder technique.

Phlox diseases

Perennial phloxes are susceptible to almost all diseases that are characteristic of flowering plants. Let's look at the most common pathologies.

• Fomoz.

The disease manifests itself as curling and yellowing of the foliage, the stems crack and become covered with brown spots. To get rid of these symptoms, the bushes should be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture four times. The interval between procedures is 10 days.

• Powdery mildew.

This fungal disease manifests itself as a white coating on the foliage. To combat it, it is necessary to use fungicides (Zato, Fundazim, Raek). For preventive purposes, it is recommended to spray the shoots with a weak solution of potassium permanganate in the spring.

• Spotting.

Brown or yellow spots appear on phlox leaves. The disease is treated by spraying with 1% Bordeaux mixture.

Phlox are very beautiful plants that require careful care and the right choice of planting site. With proper care, they will delight you with lush flowering for many years.

Mineral fertilizers for phlox

Mineral fertilizers include the following:

• superphosphate is applied both at the beginning of the season and at the end. This product is enriched with phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, and gypsum. Used as a mixture diluted with water. In cold weather, dry. Fertilizing will be more effective if you add potassium salt. The mixture is prepared in a 2:1 ratio, where 2 is superphosphate. If you add zinc and boron, this mixture will promote active plant growth, protect against pests and diseases, and speed up flowering. Superphosphate can be in single or double form. Powdered or granular fertilizer is available in stores. Simple superphosphate is used on any soil. Double contains aluminum and iron phosphates. To prevent the fertilizer from losing its beneficial properties, there is no need to mix it with chalk, lime, or saltpeter;
• urea. Used for spraying leaves and feeding the root system. This remedy helps fight aphids and weevils. The drug is not used in its pure form; it is necessary to make a weak solution. Urea should not be used with other nitrogen-containing products, since it itself is enriched with nitrogen.

Ammonium nitrate

• ammonium nitrate. This is an economical product at a low price. Fertilizer is used at the initial stage of phlox growth. The nitrogen content in nitrate is up to 34%, sulfur – up to 14%. It is not used in its pure form; a solution is prepared in the proportion of 30 grams of product and 10 liters of water. This amount will be enough for 1 sq. m. soil;
• ammonium sulfate. The drug is easily absorbed by the root system. The product can be applied as a mixture or in pure form. This fertilizer is ideal for alkaline and neutral soil;
• urea. It is used with chalk on acidic soil. Fertilizer requires special storage conditions. If the package is not tightly closed, the ammonia quickly evaporates and the fertilizer sticks together into a solid lump. The drug is used in the autumn;
• boric acid. Favorable for young shoots. Before use, it must be dissolved in water (3 grams of fertilizer per 10 liters of water). For greater benefit, potassium permanganate is added along with the acid (20 grams of manganese per 10 liters of water).