Perennial phlox groundcover (creeping): varieties with photos and names

These bright and elegant representatives of the cyanosis family, in addition to amazing decorative characteristics, also have many other advantages. Phlox are unpretentious and can grow in low light conditions and on a wide variety of soils. They last a very long time in a bouquet, and therefore are great for room decor.

The genus of this plant includes more than seventy species, of which almost thirty are wild, and the rest are cultivated. There are up to four hundred varieties and hybrids of this flower alone. The vast majority of them are perennial crops. The most common ground cover phloxes in our country are creeping ones. Their flowers bloom in mid-May. Among this species, the most common is creeping awl-shaped phlox. It got its name thanks to its small oblong leaves, which look like an awl.

Description

The evergreen creeping awl-shaped phlox, covering the ground with a dense mat, reaches a maximum of twenty centimeters in height. The stems of this plant are densely covered with short, small, hard leaves. On each stem there are one or two flowers, two and a half centimeters in diameter. The color can be very different: pink, red, white, purple (phlox Douglas), lilac, etc. This crop blooms very profusely for the first time in mid-May and until the end of June, the second time less generously - from August to September.

Creeping Phlox is very winter-hardy. It is considered a real decoration for retaining walls and rock gardens. Many gardeners love creeping awl-shaped phlox because of its ability to remain emerald green from spring until late autumn.

Although its flowers themselves are quite small, their inflorescences look so rich that they practically hide the leaves and stems. In Europe, creeping awl-shaped phlox first appeared in England. He immediately became very popular. They began to grow it even in English gardens on the estates of the nobility.

Description of Phlox awl-shaped

The subulate phlox is a low (15–20 cm) plant with long, recumbent, creeping stems, reaching a length of a meter . The shoots are densely covered with small (1.5–2 cm), narrow, pointed, hard, leathery leaves of a dark green color (for their resemblance to an awl, the plant got its name - awl-shaped). The intertwined and densely branching stems consist of a large number of internodes, releasing roots from which the plant can take additional root.

In the wild, phlox grows on rocky, crumbling slopes

Inflorescences, consisting of 5–7 funnel-shaped, five-petaled small flowers, not exceeding 2 cm in diameter, are formed at the ends of the shoots and from the internodes. Notched at the edges, widely spaced petals come in a variety of shades (blue, cream, lilac, bright red, pink, white, etc.) . Spring flowering, lasting from mid-May to early June, is very abundant. At this time, the flowerbed resembles a bright colored carpet. Some varieties can bloom again in August and September, but not so luxuriously.

My parents have an awl-shaped phlox growing in their dacha. Even when not flowering, it looks extremely decorative. Moreover, the leaves remain green even under the snow.

Video: Phlox awl-shaped

Varieties of creeping subulate phlox

Snow-white, pink, dark red, lilac, purple-blue - these flowers are incredibly beautiful in the garden. It is difficult to list all the shades that awl-shaped phlox has. Even a novice gardener can plant and care for this flower. Phlox awl-shaped belongs to the ground cover. Almost all varieties of this plant are used to decorate rockeries. Many types of perennial creeping phlox are common in our gardens. They begin to bloom at the end of May and look great in the garden. Both the lovely phlox Douglas and the purple-blue Rugelli are very popular among domestic gardeners. The main characteristic that unites all creeping species of this flower is a low stem and dense inflorescences.

Very interesting are varieties such as Candy Stripes, which produces white flowers with a pink stripe in the center, lilac Tellaria, which looks like an asterisk, Mayshnee, and the rapidly growing Thumbelina.

Popular varieties

"Bavaria"

This is one of the most popular varieties. The inflorescences have two shades at once - the petals are white, they have lavender stripes. They delight with their flowering twice a season - in June and August. Height – up to 15 cm. A very decorative variety, growing up to half a meter in diameter.

"Bonita"

The uniqueness of the variety is that it grows very quickly and well. One season can change your flowerbed, turning it a soft lilac color. The variety winters well and is not afraid of trampling. Height – 5-15 cm, blooms in late spring and early summer. One of the most undemanding varieties.

"CandyStripes"

Here you can just look at the photo of subulate phlox in landscape design, and everything will become clear. The flowers resemble candies, they are striped and very decorative. It blooms in late May and June, requiring only watering and 1-2 feedings. Winters well in all regions. Height - up to 15 cm, diameter - 60 cm or more.

"Wilson"

It is also an unpretentious variety and is very often found in the flowerbeds of summer residents. It goes well with primroses and is suitable for various landscape solutions. The variety creates a very dense carpet up to 20 cm in height. Blooms in late spring and early summer.

"White Delight"

These awl-shaped phloxes are snow-white. Decorate any flower bed, rock garden, border. You can plant the variety in flowerpots. It will grow no more than 15 cm, blooms, like most varieties, for a month - at the end of May and June, but will also delight you in August and September.

For information! Phlox subulates have hybrid and simple varieties. Each has its advantages, but the latter are more durable. If you have poor conditions, the climate is harsh, the soil is poor, then it is better to choose them.

"Nettleton Variation"

The variety is decorative with both inflorescences and leaves. This gives an advantage, since after flowering the plant still looks very aesthetically pleasing. Height - no more than 10 cm, petals - lilac. Blooms in late May and early June. Diameter – up to 50 cm.

Of course, there are many more varieties, but today we are talking about planting phlox subulate and caring for it. When choosing flowers for your garden, try to choose species not only according to the principle that the one you like will grow, but also so that they match each other in shade and appearance. Also choose plants so that they can bloom one after another - the clusters will always be beautiful. And let's move on to the main secrets of growing.

Phlox subulate: planting

The root system of this plant lies shallow. When preparing the soil before planting, you need to thoroughly clear the area of ​​weeds. The fact is that they can grow through the turf and ruin the appearance of the flower garden. It is enough to place the planting material at a distance of twenty-five centimeters from each other, and within a year a continuous carpet will be formed. To speed up the growth process, the phlox stems should be laid out in the right direction and secured well.

Planting holes need to be dug at a depth of twenty to thirty centimeters, carefully fertilized with compost or humus mixed with ash and superphosphate fertilizers.

Phlox creeping: basic rules for planting and care

• It is better to choose a place that is well lit or with a minimum amount of shadow. Since plants place their roots very close to the soil surface, weeds need to be weeded out as thoroughly as possible. It is advisable to do this in the fall by digging up the future flower bed. During the winter, the earthen lumps will freeze well, and the weed seeds in them will die.
• Before planting, you should certainly add a little peat to sandy and clayey soil to make it lighter and more hygroscopic.
• Since the plants grow quickly and occupy large areas, to avoid crowding they should be placed at a distance of 25-30 cm from each other.
• Phlox is best propagated by dividing the mother bush. It must first be randomly divided into several small divisions so that each has a sufficient number of living roots.
• The depth of the holes should correspond to the length of the roots. Pour a little water to the bottom, straighten the root system and cover it with soil, lightly compacting it.

Another simple way to propagate your favorite plant is cuttings. Young shoots take root on the woody “leg” even during the flowering period. You can plant several of them in one hole.

Having deepened into the ground, covered and watered, they need to be shaded. A plastic lattice box is perfect for this. An indicator that the cuttings have taken root is the appearance of new leaves on them. In order to protect young plants from severe frosts during the first winter, it is advisable to cover them with spruce branches on top.

Routine care of phlox plantings comes down to watering when the soil dries with water heated in the sun. During the season, it is necessary to feed the clumps 3-4 times with complex fertilizers and prevent the growth of weeds.

Soil requirements

All creeping phloxes thrive on loose, dry soils. It's surprising, but in fertile soils they produce more greenery than inflorescences. The fact is that in the wild they always grow on “poor” land. In regions with acidic soil, phlox will lack macronutrients, so the soil must be limed before planting. Most often, dolomite flour is used for this. Depending on the type of land, the amount of limestone can vary from 230 to 440 grams per square meter. On heavy soil, sand must be added to the holes immediately before planting.

Phlox care

It comes down to weeding, watering and fertilizing three times a day. With the right choice of planting site, suitable soil and proper care, creeping subulate phlox retains its beauty for about six years. And although this plant is frost-resistant, its leaves become damp in warm winters. As a result, phlox may lose its decorative effect, but with proper care it can recover. Humus added to the soil promotes rapid plant growth and abundant flowering. This plant loves light and fertilizer. However, it should be remembered that it should not be overfed. Otherwise, the power of the phlox will “go into the leaves”, and it will have beautiful and powerful greenery, but you may not get flowers. Watering should be rare and not very abundant.

Phloxes that have reached five years of age must be rejuvenated, since their stems gradually begin to “wooden” and their foliage begins to die off. In addition, adult plants are more susceptible to various diseases, and the flowers on a bush that has been growing in one place for more than five years become smaller, and the bush itself seems weakened. The crop often requires fertilizing with wood ash, which contains all the necessary microelements with the exception of nitrogen.

Agricultural technology. Phlox awl-shaped

Planning a flower bed

To make the site look aesthetically and tastefully, it is better to plan in advance what and where to plant. Ground cover plants can be planted next to a pond, diluting the greenery that is also needed there. Rich shades of red and purple look very beautiful against the background of natural stones and low-growing conifers. White phloxes are best combined with burgundy and lavender. It is necessary to take into account that the plants grow greatly and leave an empty space in the flowerbed in advance.

Now, regarding the important conditions. Phloxes do not like excess water in the place where they grow. Plants immediately lose their decorative effect, bald spots appear, and the color of the flowers fades. It is best that the soil is loose and there is a lot of sun in this place. It is also better to remove malicious weeds in advance, since when weeding they will be pulled out along with the superficial roots of the phlox.

Advice! Precursors are important for flowers. For phlox it can be fragrant herbs, greens, calendula, marigolds. These plants repel parasites that can cause harm.

Choosing deadlines

Phlox seeds can be sown on the site both in spring and before winter - they will undergo stratification and germination will be maximum. Sprouts, if you do not grow flowers from seeds, can be planted in both spring and autumn. But the second option is even preferable, since the seedlings will take root in September and October and will bloom two weeks earlier in May.

Preparing the soil and planting flowers

Let us first analyze the method of preparing the soil and planting phlox, which is grown from ready-made seedlings. The space under them must be cleared of plant debris. If the soil is heavy and difficult to weed or loosen, add sand until the soil becomes crumbly. Neutral soil is best suited for phlox; if you have acidity, then also add a glass of slaked lime per square meter.

As a top dressing, you can use compost, humus and wood ash, which is recognized by summer residents as the best fertilizer for phlox. In addition, parasites do not tolerate ash. Such preparations will be sufficient for flowers that you bought or took from friends using root division or received seedlings from cuttings. Flowers are planted, watered, and in the fall it is better to cover them with spruce branches, after pruning them first.

If you are sowing seeds, then the correct technique is that which is done by stratifying the seeds. Starting in the fall, you should prepare the soil from humus, garden soil and sand. Place it in a container, moisten it slightly and sow the seeds at a distance of 5 cm from each other. This is done at the end of November-December. Next, the crops are taken outside and covered with a high layer of snow. In March, the sprouts will begin to hatch; now they need to be brought into the greenhouse or onto the balcony and watered as needed. At the end of April, phloxes are planted in a permanent place in holes with humus and sand.

On a note! Some summer residents plant seeds directly into the ground, sprinkle with nutritious soil that was prepared in the fall, and cover with snow. In the spring, the seedlings are not touched until they grow up, then they are separated into their places.

Caring for awl-shaped phlox

The landing has been completed, what now? Yes, it’s simple, because flowers require a minimum of attention. When they start to emerge, they need watering to keep the soil from drying out, but not soggy. It is necessary to immediately remove weeds and loosen the soil very carefully, since the roots are on the surface. Surprisingly, phlox may never begin to bloom, but only produce greenery if there is a lot of nutrients in the soil. 1-2 fertilizers based on phosphorus will be enough for them; you can buy a complex liquid fertilizer for flowering plants. Water before or during flowering and after flowering.

As for parasites, nematodes and caterpillars can be annoying; they are driven away with folk infusions or insecticides. Caterpillars are often simply collected by hand. Diseases extremely rarely affect subulate phloxes, except powdery mildew. It can be treated with Bordeaux mixture. For prevention, a weak solution of manganese and the drug “Fundazol” are used. The soil is periodically sprinkled with wood ash or tobacco dust.

Phlox creeping: reproduction

Most breeders believe that the fabulously beautiful, bright, low bushes of this plant are the most unpretentious and spectacular crops used to decorate gardens. The awl-shaped phlox reproduces both vegetatively and by seeds. The easiest and most common way is to divide the bush. Transplantation is carried out in the spring. The distance between bushes should be a maximum of thirty centimeters. If desired, the plant can also be propagated at home by stem cuttings, which are cut even before the buds awaken. They are planted in the ground in early spring. The cuttings take root quite quickly, and by the fall they become full-fledged plants. Propagation by seeds is practiced very little.

Features of cultivation

In the northern regions, where plants need to be covered for the winter, it is better to use spruce branches for phlox, which will not acidify the soil.

Dry leaves are not suitable for this. In the spring, in order to help the phlox awaken faster, you can water it with a humate solution. This accelerates both its growth and the development of the root system.

The best predecessors for awl-shaped phlox are calendula, lawn grass, tagetes and other crops that also do not tolerate excess moisture. You cannot plant this plant, for example, after strawberries. Like other evergreen crops, it is preferable to plant awl-shaped phlox in places where there is a lot of snow in winter.

Rules of care

Caring for ground cover perennial phlox is not particularly difficult:

1. The crop needs to be watered quite often, once a week, but in small quantities so that moisture does not stagnate. If the soil at the roots of the phlox dries out frequently, this will not cause any damage to it, but in waterlogged soil it may die.
2. Perennial phlox are usually fed with complex mineral fertilizers in early spring. Since the crop is unpretentious, the spring application of minerals and periodic watering with the addition of wood ash will be quite sufficient.
3. During the growing season, phloxes are recommended to be weeded from time to time. Weeds can significantly impair flowering, but it is worth noting that they rarely appear under a dense ground cover.

A flowerbed with creeping perennials should be weeded from time to time.

With the onset of autumn, it is recommended to trim off the faded shoots of perennial ground cover phlox. This will strengthen the crop’s endurance before cold weather and will have a positive effect on the growth of young shoots in the spring. It is not necessary to cover phlox for the winter, but you can mulch the flowerbed or lawn with a dense layer of humus. Organic matter will insulate the roots in the ground and also nourish them with useful substances.

Attention! Once every 5 years, perennial creeping phlox must be replanted. This will avoid the degeneration of the variety and maintain abundant flowering.

Pests

Subulate phloxes most often suffer from powdery mildew and various caterpillars, which quickly damage the stems of the plant. The lesion can be seen by curled brownish leaves. Such areas must be removed immediately.

It is not recommended to plant phlox in such places for three years. This plant can get sick from poor ventilation, as well as from a lack of fertilizer. Phlox should not be planted very close to each other, so as not to infect neighboring bushes.

Phlox is a perennial flower that easily survives winter in the garden. They do not require special care and are able to grow and develop in different conditions and in many types of soil. The name was given to them by the famous scientist and naturalist K. Linnaeus. Initially, the color of this plant was red, hence the name “floco”, which is translated from Latin as “flame”. There is even a whole legend associated with it. Where Odysseus' torches fell, these amazingly beautiful flowers grew. In reality, perennial phloxes originated in Canada, annuals were later brought to Europe.

Diseases and pests

Ground cover phlox can suffer from fungal diseases and insects. It is especially often affected by:

• powdery mildew - the fungus appears as a white coating on green leaves and leads to wilting;

  The white coating of powdery mildew is easy to notice on the leaves.

• rust - when a fungus appears on the leaves, characteristic brown spots are very noticeable, which grow quite quickly;

  Rust is a dangerous disease of ground cover crops.

• ring spot - on the small leaves of perennial phlox, the disease manifests itself as yellowish spots; if you look closely, you can see a pattern of circles and semicircles of a light shade.

  Ring spot of groundcover perennial is easy to recognize

To treat diseases, Bordeaux mixture, colloidal sulfur and the drug Fundazol are used. It is better to spray perennial phlox as a preventive measure - in the spring before flowering and twice more after it.

Among the pests that are dangerous for ground cover phlox are:

• aphids - small green insects can eat leaves heavily;

  Aphids cause severe damage to a flower bed with creeping phlox

• nematodes - these worms can usually be seen by curling leaves and thickening stems;

  When infected with nematodes, the plant most often dies

• Slugs - Small molluscs eat leaves and cause serious damage.

  Slugs are very dangerous for ground cover perennials and can completely destroy the plant.

Nematodes can only be combated preventively, so diseased perennial plants are destroyed. Spraying with insecticides and dusting with wood ash helps against other pests.

Briefly about culture

Phlox holds the record for longest flowering time. They are also one of the few flowers that overwinter in the garden without the need for shelter before frost.

In total there are about 600 species of these flowers, of which only one is annual.

They are planted in the garden by cuttings or seeds. Phlox bloom beautifully and luxuriantly, quite profusely, but with proper care. There are absolutely different colors: white with pinkish and red hues, blue, purple. They perfectly complement flower arrangements and delight the eye with their blooms in the flowerbed.

Important! The pharmacological properties of this flower have not yet been fully studied. Of all the variety of species, only Siberian phlox has healing properties. Medicinal decoctions and tinctures against sleep disorders, throat diseases and colds are often prepared from its petals.

Plant characteristics

The height of the stems varies depending on the species, ranging from 10 to 150 cm. They are mostly creeping, but can be erect or ascending.

Generally accepted classification according to the shape and height of the stems:

• ground cover;
• loose-turf;
• bushy tall;
• bush medium.

The leaves are oblong with sharp apex and base, sessile shoots are located on different sides of the stem. The root system of the flower is massive. It loves moisture, but cannot tolerate stagnant water. The roots branch and penetrate to a depth of about 20 cm. The main root system is at a depth of 10 cm, sometimes less.

The flowers themselves are small, up to 4 cm in diameter, with up to 100 pieces in an inflorescence. They are very fragrant, tubular-collar-shaped. There are wheel-shaped, notched, deeply dissected and star-shaped corollas. The flower has 5 pistils and 1 stamen. The coloring is very different: it can have streaks, often purple shades.

Most species are collected in lush inflorescences, at the end of which there are shields or panicles, which is usually characteristic of phlox of perennial varieties. There are also single flowers.

The fruit looks like an oval box. There are up to 80 seeds in 1 g.

Note! Phlox bloom mainly in late May-June.

Popular types and varieties

Low-growing perennial phloxes include several subspecies:

• Douglas;
• subulate;
• dwarf;
• northern;
• spread out;
• snow;
• multifloral.

All low perennials grow on loose and well-fertilized, drained soils. Excess moisture causes a negative impact. They do not need mineral fertilizers, but they also feel good with them. They have a very pleasant light aroma. Low perennial phloxes have a color typical for this species. Height ranges from 7 to 40 cm.

Dwarf phlox loves dry soil. Refers to creeping species. Not often used by gardeners due to high growing requirements. The flowers usually come in different shades of yellow, white and pink. Often forms inflorescences. These mini phloxes are a very winter-hardy species. In addition, they have high resistance to various diseases.

Phlox perennial groundcover, or Douglas, is sometimes called double carnation, because before flowering its greenery remembers a low cap of moss. The flowers reach a height of 6-7 cm. Flowering begins at the very end of spring - beginning of summer. The stems of the plant are green all year round, which is a big plus. They grow in flat and dry areas, mostly sunny. Ground cover phlox develops well thanks to mineral fertilizers. Its seedling is inexpensive.

Benefits of growing creeping phlox

Creeping phlox is often used to decorate the landscape due to several advantages:

1. An ornamental perennial plant forms a very beautiful ground cover.
2. The ground cover crop thrives in poor soil.
3. The perennial grows not only in horizontal areas, but also on slopes.
4. The ground cover phlox blooms early and becomes fully decorative in May or June, one of the first.
5. Many types of perennial ground cover phlox retain the bright green color of their leaves even in winter.

Creeping phlox blooms in late spring

The perennial does not have strict care requirements and can be propagated very well.

Features of planting and caring for crops

These flowers love moisture, but it should not be in excess, otherwise they will die. It is worth planting in high beds, where the massive root system will be comfortable. There the moisture level will be at the desired level. The height of the bed should be no more than 15 cm.

Important! You should not plant phlox close to shrubs and trees, otherwise the struggle for survival will begin. They will share light, moisture and nutrients in the soil.

When planting flowers, you should give preference to loose and nutritious soil. Phloxes love to bask in the sun or partial shade, with the exception of a few species. In the sun, their splendor and color will be at their best, but in the shade they bloom for a week or another longer.

Plant in early spring or early autumn.

Phlox propagates by seeds, stem and root cuttings, axillary buds and shoots, and dividing the bush.

No special care is required; it is enough to remove weeds, feed and water regularly, and also loosen the soil. Treat occasionally for parasites and diseases. How much minerals to add is usually written on the package.

This variety winters well under a snow cap. If there is no snow, then you will need to cover the bushes with something from frost, but not like roses. Otherwise, the flowers will die.

Note! In the fall, usually in October, pruning is done. Stumps of about 12 cm are left, but it can be shorter - almost level with the ground. Then they are not afraid of pests and diseases during wintering.

Planting phlox in open ground and caring for them

Phlox can be grown in almost any soil - they are unpretentious.
But the most ideal ones are loamy ones. It is recommended to add a little lime to the soil to improve the growing conditions of the plant. They begin to prepare the site in the fall: they carefully dig up the earth on it, during which weed rhizomes and pebbles are removed, since in the first years the bushes have little resistance to wild vegetation.

If phloxes have dark petal colors, it is better to plant them mixed with light ones so that the flower bed looks as advantageous as possible both in the evening and during the day.

How to plant phlox in the ground, watch the video:

Caring for phlox is easy. It is necessary to regularly keep the soil loose and remove weeds on time. In order for the flowerbed to delight with lush flowering, it is necessary to periodically apply fertilizers.

For paniculate phlox, it does not matter where to grow - in the shade or in the sun. But low-growing varieties need sun more. These and other forms of plants need to be fertilized in time so that they quickly and promptly grow to the desired forms.

Watering should be sufficient, but rare. The exception is weeks when it is very hot outside and air humidity is minimal. Then the soil loses water very quickly, so you need to water the plant more often. This procedure is performed in the afternoon, towards evening.

Some varieties of phlox form seeds in natural conditions. But this is not a 100% guarantee. In order for a plant to produce seed, the required optimal air temperature, proper growing conditions, and proper care. Therefore, do not worry if there are no seeds - this is a very common occurrence.

Caring for phlox in autumn

Before winter, all phloxes need to be protected from frost by covering them with earth or humus or manure. The recommended layer thickness is 8-12 cm, which is sufficient to protect underground buds from frost. The procedure is mandatory for young plants 1 year old.

Phlox that suffered from fungal diseases need treatment with fungicides, which is carried out in October, when most of the shoots have bloomed.

Often plants grow seed material, but do not have time to do this before frost. To obtain seeds, the bushes are removed from the flowerbed along with the soil and planted in pots, which are kept in the building until the seeds are fully ripened.

Autumn is an excellent time for rejuvenating phlox and replanting, which will be discussed later.

When to replant phloxes

Paniculate phlox is a plant that does not require frequent replanting. It feels comfortable in one place for up to 15 years. But due to the growth of side shoots and the aging of the center of the plant, it is recommended to rejuvenate and replant at least every 5-7 years.

What, when and how to feed phlox

Phloxes are fed several times a season:

• In spring, in May, before flowering begins - nitrogen and potassium. Potassium nitrate is perfect.
• In early June, fertilizing is repeated, adding superphosphate to potassium nitrate, which will stimulate budding and flowering.
• At the beginning of July, they are fed a third time, reducing the dose of nitrogen.
• At the end of July, they are fed only with phosphorus and potassium salt.
• The last time phloxes are fed is in August, and only if they are still blooming. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are used.

The consumption of each fertilizer is calculated as follows: a matchbox of bulk or granular fertilizer (or a mixture of both) per 10 liters of water. Use this solution per square meter of area.

An excellent fertilizer for phlox is fermented bird droppings, which are applied before the phlox begins to bloom. Add 0.5 l. thick slush in a bucket of water and pour 1-2 liters of solution under the bush.

Main diseases and pests and measures to combat them

Phlox can be susceptible to viral, fungal and mycoplasma diseases. Even properly planted plants can get sick.

The most common disease is variegation. This virus changes the color of the flower and disrupts the coloring pigment. At the same time, it does not bloom so luxuriantly and has a sickly appearance. The carriers are insects and nematodes.

The following diseases also occur:

• rattling (leaf dying);
• leaf curl;
• ring spot;
• necrotic spotting.

Of the mycoplasma diseases, the most common is jaundice.

Perennials are also susceptible to fungal diseases, powdery mildew and septoria. For preventative purposes, it is worth treating the tools used to work with plants.

Important! Don't forget to disinfect the soil.

Among the pests, the appearance of phlox is spoiled by snails, slugs, and various types of caterpillars. They eat leaves and stems and are especially dangerous during the initial growth period.

Fungicides should be used to treat diseases, and insecticides should be used to eliminate insects.

Perennial phloxes are beautiful and unpretentious flowers that do not require special care. The main thing is to provide them with the proper conditions, and they will decorate the garden for many years.

Irreplaceable ground cover plants help designers create the unique appearance of a garden or park. A striking representative of this group is the perennial creeping phlox.

The flowering carpet that the bushes form is completely strewn with bright lilac, pink, purple and other shades of inflorescences. An elegant cover forms in early spring; it can be seen in rock gardens and lawns, flower beds and hanging flowerpots.

Phloxes are so unpretentious that beginning gardeners can easily master their cultivation. Provide them with light and an area without stagnant moisture - then they will cope on their own.

What else do these low flowering bushes need for unfading growth? Which variety of phlox to choose and how to propagate perennial ground cover flowers.

Pest and disease control

Diseases and pests of ground cover phlox are the same as those of other varieties:

• Ring spot (Tomatto ringsport virus). It is more noticeable on the wide leaves of tall flowers, and on the small foliage of dwarf flowers it looks like islands of red spots. The disease is transmitted by nematodes, so the main control measures are to treat the soil in the spring with nematicides (Carbation, Chlorpicrim, Nemagon).
• Rust. Varieties with burgundy and purple flower colors are more susceptible to it. Appears in the form of red spots on leaves and stems, growing rapidly and leading to the death of plants. The most effective means of control is Bordeaux mixture or 3% iron sulfate.
• Powdery mildew. Appears when there is excess nitrogen in the soil. This happens when adding organic matter. The best preventative measure is to follow the recommendations for the concentration of fertilizing, as well as thinning out too dense plantings. Treating powdery mildew three times with an interval of 1 week of all green mass with a 1% solution of soda ash helps.
• Slugs. These voracious pests can cause irreparable damage to slow-growing phloxes. To deter them, it is recommended to dust the plantings more often with wood ash, which also serves as an excellent fertilizer.

Important! The beauty of Douglas phlox ground cover is special. They are very short, but that's what's good about them.

Low-growing pillows shimmering in different colors are an exquisite backdrop for tall flowers, for example, annual phlox, which is used when creating rock gardens, flower beds and flower beds.

Description

Many varieties of phlox are known in the world. More than forty species have been domesticated. And there are several hundred varieties and hybrids. In the wild it grows on rocky slopes and in crevices and sandy hills. You can also find it in the shade of bushes if the place is well lit.

The plant is a spreading bush, covered with narrow, elongated and pointed leaves.

Loose or dense turf, which is formed by the root system of a plant, can quickly increase in volume. Before flowering, the cushion of the bush (resembles a hummock of moss) can reach only 8-10 centimeters in height. Next, small peduncles appear, on which there are up to two corollas, collected in inflorescences.

The height of the bush becomes 15-20 centimeters.

Umbrellas of inflorescences contain up to 7-8 flowers, they can also be single. Their diameter is 2.5-3 centimeters. Phlox petals come in different shades of color, similar to candy canes, and are deeply cut or heart-shaped.

Feeding for carpet phlox

In order to achieve more luxuriant flowering from phloxes, it is advisable to fertilize with full mineral fertilizer (nitrophoska diluted in water or other fertilizers in a standard dose) 2 weeks before the first flowers begin to bloom, approximately at the end of April or beginning of May.

Approximately 10 days before flowering, foliar feeding is also useful - spraying with a solution of nitrogen fertilizer (15 g of urea or saltpeter per 1 bucket of water per 3-4 square meters of plantings.

If the mat grows poorly, phloxes, bald spots form, and turf growth in July is additionally stimulated by:

• fertilizing with a half dose of nitrogen fertilizers (15 g of urea per 10 liters of water);
• full mineral fertilizers in half the dose (10-15 g of nitrogen, potassium and phosphate fertilizers per 1 bucket of water or 30-45 g of nitroammophosphate).

For loose-turf phloxes, three mandatory feedings are applied:

1. Nitrogen in early spring.
2. Complete mineral fertilizer before flowering.
3. Complete mineral fertilizer after flowering.

Phlox douglasii. © Jerzy Opioła

1. In order for creeping or loose-sodded phlox to retain its decorative properties, it is better to promptly direct the shoots that have begun to grow in early spring to exposed places, and pinch out the “lashes” that are too elongated, stimulating thickening. Shoots can be fixed in the soil for rooting and thickening, pinned in any convenient way and lightly covered with soil). This direction of shoots is considered mandatory in the first two years of cultivation for young phlox in order to accelerate the formation of a dense coating. In the future it is carried out as needed.
2. If it is necessary to maintain the compact shape of the cushion and shape the plant, excess shoots can be removed by independently controlling the size of the bushes and hummocks. Formation is carried out after flowering is completed.
3. After flowering is completed, it is advisable to cut all shoots to a third of their height, stimulating the growth of new branches and thickening of the phlox. This pruning also helps to renew the rug and allows you to avoid regular rejuvenation.
4. Loose sod phlox prefer constant light mulching with nutritious soil (renew mulch in early spring and late summer).
5. It is better to clean phlox mats with a light fan rake, by hand or with a garden vacuum cleaner - after cutting, during leaf fall and in the spring - removing all plant debris.
6. Carpet phlox requires renewal every 3-5 years. If pruning is carried out annually after flowering, then rejuvenation is carried out as needed (much less often, once every 6-7 years). To rejuvenate, phlox is carefully dug up, dead old parts and dry areas are removed, divided into sections and planted in a new place.

Varieties and varieties of low-growing phlox

Forked

Loves rocky and sandy landscapes, low bush (15 centimeters). The stems are hard, pubescent, the leaves are 4-5 cm. The flowers are of different colors, forked.

Dwarf

It has a height of 25-30 cm, the leaves are short, narrow, with fluff. Small flowers have the shape of a shield, there are many of them and they are located in different directions.

Douglas phlox

American variety, grows in rocky areas in nature. The compact bush produces flowering mats in white, purple or other colors. The leaves are small, not even 2 cm, the flowers have a dark center.

This variety blooms twice per season and is good for rocky gardens. It grows slowly, has a height of only 10-12 centimeters.

Thumbelina

Height is 10-15 cm, growth is rapid. Pink flowers of a cool shade are a feature of the Thumbelina variety.

Candy Stripes

A popular variety is white with a pink longitudinal stripe. Long flowering and abundance are the main qualities.

Siberian

There are a lot of shoots, their height is 15 cm. The leaves are elongated, 6 cm, the flowers are small, in different shades of white or pink. This variety is cold-resistant and is used for cultivation in northern and Siberian areas. Blooms for 30 days.

Tellaria

Lilac flowers with a red core, very long flowering. A huge number of star-shaped corollas add decorativeness.

Maischnee

The white round flowers of this variety are dazzling, and the contrasting combination with other flowers looks truly chic.

Nettleton Variegata

Phlox has variegated leaves and pink flowers.

Bright flower carpet in the garden: ground cover phlox

Ground cover phloxes are actively used in the creation of rockeries and alpine slides. These plants happily grow in bright, open areas and form beautiful and neat forms that do not lose their decorative value for a long time, and, moreover, bloom for a long time.

Sidorenko Tatyana / Myproplants.com

Phlox subulate is the most common type of ground cover phlox. It is an ideal long-blooming garden perennial and a wonderful flowering plant for rockeries and alpine slides. This type of phlox grows no higher than 15-17 cm. Its narrow, sharp and hard leaves are practically hidden under the foamy cap of flowering. The flowers of this phlox are small, in small multi-colored inflorescences of pink, white, lilac and purple. This variety of phlox blooms twice per season, the first time in May-June, and the second in August-September. It blooms very profusely and spectacularly. It is impossible to pass by and not notice the flowering of this plant. The plant itself grows into an evergreen carpet-pillow 10-20 cm thick. When the plant fades, it is recommended to cut it by about 1/3. With this pruning, problems such as bareness and overgrowth can be easily avoided. The rate of growth and surface occupation of phlox awl-shaped is quite fast and active. It is worth paying attention to the beautiful varieties:

• “Amazing Grace” - white flowers with bright purple eyes;
• "Atropurpurea" - pinkish-crimson flowers, a fast-growing and profusely flowering variety;
• “Alexander`s Surprise” is a variety with bright pink flowers, the largest-flowered and one of the most powerful, excellent-growing varieties;

Stolyarova Natalya / Myproplants.com

• “Calvides White” - a variety with pure white flowers, abundant flowering, high growth rates;
• "Candy Stripes" - white flowers with a longitudinal pink stripe in the middle of the petal;
• "Emerald Cushion Blue" - soft blue color;
• "GFWilson" - delicate lilac flowers, one of the fastest growing varieties;
• “Maischnee” is an amazing variety with white flowers closed in a circle with a yellow center, the height of this variety does not exceed 10-15 cm;
• “Scarlet Flame” - the flowers of this variety are red, fiery, large, with a dark eye, one of the brightest varieties;
• “Purple Beauty” - purple flowers with a dark spot in the center, plant height no more than 10 cm;
• “White Delight” - white flowers with delicate blue washes, up to 15 cm high;
• “MacDaniel`s Cushion” - among the scarlet and pink flowers of this variety, there are often flowers with more petals than the usual five, the flowers are large in size and look quite unusual.

Kerry Woods / Flickr.com

Phlox stoloniferous is the least known variety of ground cover phlox. It is no more than 20 cm high with partially overwintering oval-shaped leaves. This species blooms in June with typical small flowers of various colors. This type of phlox forms neat turfs that gradually spread out and occupy free space thanks to stolons, short, easily rooted shoots. The lighter the planting site, the denser the turf of the plant, and the more abundant the flowering. Also used to decorate the edges of flower beds and borders, for alpine slides and rockeries.

peganum/Flickr.com

Phlox Douglas is a beautiful type of creeping phlox, which is neat round pillows or rugs, quite dense. The diameter of such a pillow will be no more than 30 cm, and they are very convenient to cover clearly defined spaces between other plants. The height of the “mat” is about 10 cm, the leaves are hard and awl-shaped. The flowers are small, typical, collected in several pieces. It can bloom twice, in May-June and again in August. This type of phlox grows quite slowly.

Jason Hollinger / Flickr.com

The most popular varieties:

- “Lilac Cloud” - mauve flowers at first very bright and shiny, lighten over time, very delicate color;

- “Red Admiral” - red flowers with a crimson tint look very beautiful on a bright green cushion, a powerful variety;

- “White Admiral” - white flowers, when the plant enters the active flowering phase, nothing is noticeable on it except an abundance of snow-white flowers;

- "Crackerjack" - bright crimson star-shaped flowers.

There is also such a type of phlox as lodging . This species forms low cushions up to 14-15 cm high, but wider in diameter, about 70-80 cm. It is worth taking into account the characteristics of the growth and formation of certain types of ground cover phlox. This will make it easier for you to select and create exactly the compositions you have in mind.

Planting, propagation and care

Site selection and soil

Most creeping phlox like bright areas with some shade. The fact is that the bright sun has a negative effect on brightly colored petals; they will burn out. A shady location can inhibit flowering.

Soils are good loamy or sandy loam, light, slightly alkaline or neutral. If the area has a compacted layer and clay soil, the upper part is removed, replacing with humus. It is good to lay out a drainage layer, since phloxes do not like stagnant water.

These flowers look beautiful if dark-colored ones are planted together with white or light ones. The combination turns out to be very effective.

How to plant

You can sow phlox of this type with seeds; they are bought in a special store; do not try to collect your own seeds, because such bushes will lose their maternal varietal characteristics.

Sowing in open ground is done very early in the spring, then individual flowers will appear in the fall. Autumn seedlings, having undergone natural stratification in winter, will bloom the next year. Seeds are also planted in summer, but flowering will also occur in the next season.

Perennial ground cover phlox can be planted as seedlings in February-March.

• Pour special soil into containers;
• Place the seeds in moistened soil (on the surface), sprinkle a little;
• Cover with film and place in a warm place;
• If necessary, ventilate and moisten the plantings;
• It is advisable to sow not too thickly at once, since these plants do not like interference, the roots can be damaged;
• Plant outside after frost, at a distance of 30-40 centimeters.

Reproduction

In addition to planting seeds, there are other methods of propagation; they are most often used by gardeners. In this case, the phloxes do not lose the characteristics of the parent bush, and you receive new planting material.

Cuttings

Randomly or specially broken branches are planted separately. First, tear off the leaves from the bottom of the cutting. The procedure is performed in early spring, before bud formation, or at another time.

Dividing the bush

The most common method. Overgrown bushes are dug up, the root system is divided and planted in a new place. A very simple method, it is carried out in spring or autumn.

By layering

Since phloxes are creeping, their branches are located close to the ground. Take any shoot, bend it down and dig it into the soil right there.

Very soon the roots will appear, then the cuttings are cut off from the original bush and planted in another permanent place.

During the growing season, phloxes are watered, weeded and fertilized. Manipulations will prolong flowering and maintain decorativeness.

It is necessary to water frequently, in the morning or evening. Weeding is not so burdensome, since weeds are not very comfortable under dense bushes.

After flowering ends, the branches should be trimmed. This winter pruning rejuvenates and extends the life of ground cover phlox. Old shoots, moreover, shade the young ones and they lack light and space.

Bushes must be replanted at least once every 4-5 years to avoid degeneration of varietal characteristics and maintain the original size of flowers. After transplantation, decorativeness will be restored only next year.

Fertilizing can be carried out in the simplest way, with a solution of wood ash, it contains all the necessary organic elements. Or purchase a special mineral complex fertilizer in the store.

This plant does not require shelter for the winter, except in the northern regions. Thick snow cover perfectly protects phlox bushes from freezing. To awaken from hibernation and stimulate growth, some gardeners use watering with a preparation such as humate.

Attention! If you notice that the leaves have turned brownish and curled, it means they have been attacked by caterpillars or worms. Such areas need to be cut out and destroyed.

Other diseases - septoria, fomoz, powdery mildew, require preventive treatment with Bordeaux mixture and colloidal sulfur. All procedures should be carried out only in warm weather at a temperature not lower than 17-20 degrees.

Dense, thickened planting of plants of this species should be avoided so that diseases and pests do not move from bush to bush, as well as for better ventilation.

Reproduction methods

To obtain new seedlings of ground cover phlox, you can use bush division, rooting by layering and cuttings. Each of these methods has its own characteristics that should be taken into account.

The first method can be used in early spring or autumn. It is suitable for mature bushes that require replanting to a new location. To do this, dig up the plant, carefully clean the root system from the soil and cut it into pieces with a knife. Each of them should have well-developed underground shoots and shoots. After this, the seedlings are immediately transplanted to a permanent place.

Important! Dividing the ground cover phlox should be done after rain in cloudy weather, which will minimize stress and speed up the establishment of the seedling.

Rooting by layering is the simplest propagation method, but it allows you to obtain a limited number of seedlings. Its essence lies in the fact that the creeping shoots of the ground cover phlox need to be pressed to the ground, leaving only the top. Throughout the season, you need to monitor soil moisture, which will speed up rooting. Young seedlings can only be separated from the mother plant the next year.

To obtain a large amount of planting material, the cutting method is used. Therefore, in the spring or in the first half of summer, you need to cut the tops of the shoots 5-7 cm long. After this, the lower part should be cleared of leaves and planted in a soil mixture of turf, peat and sand. Then transfer the container with the cuttings to a shaded place, cover with a bag and provide a temperature of about +22 degrees. If the conditions are met, rooting occurs in 3-4 weeks. When the seedlings become stronger, they can be planted in open ground.

For cuttings you can use shoots after pruning

Phlox in garden design

The plant is loved for its excellent combination with other perennials and shrubs, with tulips and other bulbous plants. The favorite neighbors of these low bushes are peonies and clematis, daylilies.

They create a background, cover the space, and bloom for a long time. Good for planting in the central plan, they can form the basis of a composition in the following plantings:

• Rocky gardens;
• Alpine slides;
• As a border;
• Islands on the lawn;
• Vertical gardening and hanging flowerpots;
• Near decorative conifers;
• Near the garden pond.

Long-lived phlox of low varieties immediately become favorites of the plots, delighting owners with their delicate blooms from early spring days until autumn.