07.03.2017 16 491

Planting and caring for perennial phlox: 5 secrets of lush flowering

Perennial phloxes attract the attention of gardeners with their unique colors and rapid flowering. Caring for plants is not difficult, and you can plant in spring or autumn. Plants are problem-free in cultivation, but still require compliance with a certain technology. This applies to both perennials and annuals.

The subtleties of landing

Before you start planting seedlings, pay attention to 3 conditions for successful flower growing. Without them, it will not be possible to achieve a chic result:

• landing is carried out in places with sufficient illumination in open flower beds, partial shade is also allowed;
• the location of the flower garden should be convenient for the owners, with the possibility of irrigation;
• the soil must satisfy such qualities as high fertility and friability.

Flower growers with growing experience recommend planting phloxes of perennial varieties in partial shade, near sprawling shrubs, so that the flowers are protected in the hot heat. The lack of watering has a detrimental effect on plants, but it is also not worth planting in places where water accumulates in the spring.

Phloxes grow best on slopes, alpine hills, where in spring the snow gradually melts and lingers. If willow, spruce, birch or lilac grows on the site, it is not recommended to place a flower garden nearby.

phlox grown on the site - in the photo

It is good to equip a flower bed on the eastern and western sides of the house, but not near the northern walls and in the shade of conifers. Western thuja, namely undersized dwarf varieties, are quite suitable for creating a harmonious flower arrangement.

What should be the soil for growing:

• need acidity close to neutral (5.5-7.0 Ph);
• fertile, loose, moist soil (medium loams are better suited).

Land for autumn planting must be prepared 3-4 weeks before work, if planting is planned in the spring - it is desirable to complete all the preparatory stages at the end of summer.

Flowers are very responsive to the introduction of rotted cow or horse manure, compost, ash and leafy soil, mineral complexes, and organic fertilizers. Plants have a powerful branched root system, which is located at a depth of 25-30 cm. this feature and make the soil fertile not only in the surface layer.

The planting hole for flowers should be larger than the root system. At the bottom, when planting in the fall, put phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, and in the spring - nitrogen. At the same time, the roots are straightened and directed down, covered with nutrient soil mixture.

The rhizome must be positioned so that its upper part is hidden under a 3-5 cm layer of earth. The soil is well compacted and watered, necessary quantity water, depending on the season of planting. If the planting material has a wilted appearance, soak in any growth stimulator (Kornevin, Heteroauxin, etc.) according to the instructions.

phloxes in the country - in the photo

When to plant phlox?

In spring, summer and autumn - in any of the indicated periods, landing is carried out on a flower bed, but each period has its pros and cons. Planting in autumn is more extended in time, about 35-40 days are allotted for work, of which flowers can be planted on any day.

Autumn planting, as well as division, is carried out with last numbers August and ends at the end of September. Planted plants should have time to get stronger and take root in a new place before the arrival of frost. Late-flowering varieties are planted from the second half of September and continue until early October, or leave planting for the spring months.

Phlox planting in the spring, as well as division and transplantation, occur only after the snow melts, when the soil dries out a little and it will be possible to work. Depending on the region of cultivation, planting dates differ. So, in central Russia, in the Urals and in Siberia, the Leningrad region, work should be carried out at the end of April, or in the first decade of May.

Top dressing for beautiful flowering

Due to the fact that the flowers grow in one place for several years in a row, it is simply necessary to fertilize them. The timing of top dressing is usually divided into several stages:

• first dressing carried out after May 10-15 with liquid mullein (1:15, 10 l / m²) or ammonium nitrate (3/4 tablespoon per bucket);
• second fertilization produced in early June, using mullein or chicken manure, and also add superphosphate (1/2 tbsp) and potassium salt (15 g);
• third dressing usually occurs at the beginning of July. You can apply all the mineral components listed above, and organic fertilizers. The only condition in this period is the need to reduce the dose of nitrogen by 1.5-2 times.

flowering phlox - in the photo
phloxes - in the photo

Subsequent top dressing is carried out depending on the condition of the plants. Usually late-flowering varieties are fed in early August. The feeding recipe is as follows: exclude nitrogen, add only potassium salt (15-20 g) and phosphorus (1/2 tbsp).

In addition to the above recommendations, you can purchase special complex fertilizers in stores and feed according to the instructions indicated on the package. Some summer residents and gardeners quite often use preparations to achieve lush flowering.

Watering and mulching rules

Unfortunately, even with the right fertilizer, it is impossible to get beautiful flowers if they are not watered. The culture is very demanding on moisture, so the soil should not be allowed to dry out. The soil should be kept moist throughout the growing season.

The root system of phloxes is close to the soil surface, powerful roots lie at a depth of no more than 20-25 cm, so you have to irrigate the plantings so often. In addition, during the period of growing green mass, the appearance of buds and flowering, plants absorb large quantity water.

phlox - planting in partial shade from an apple tree

If watering the culture is not enough, the stems grow thinner, inflorescences are poorly formed, small flowers appear. How much water do phlox need? There should be enough water so that the entire root layer is well moistened. As a rule, for 1 sq. m. area requires 1.5-2 buckets of water.

After watering, the earth needs to be loosened, but not deep. Many gardeners skillfully use such a wonderful tool for loosening, which is easy and convenient to work with.

In order to keep moisture in the soil in hot dry summers, the crop must be mulched. Straw, hay, mowed grass, peat or humus are taken as mulch. Particular attention should be paid to plants with a large horse system, especially in which the rhizome sticks out. It is advisable to carry out mulching for the winter so that the root does not die during severe frosts.

autumn pruning

Many novice gardeners are wondering if phlox should be cut for the winter? If we are talking about a perennial crop, experts recommend preparing it for winter correctly and pruning. You can see how to do this in the video.

Pruning for the winter is carried out in the fall, when flowering ends, from about September 20 to October 31, after the transfer of accumulated nutrients from the green part of the plants to the rhizome. Work should be completed before the onset of stable cold weather.

For example, in the southern regions and in the Kuban, pruning may be carried out a little later. Consider the climatic features of the growing region, but be sure to wait until the plant has faded, only then proceed with the surgical intervention.

Pruning for the winter is carried out when it is already cold outside. Many flower growers leave small stumps (10-15 cm), some completely cut off the stem, almost flush with the ground.

The experience of experienced gardeners shows that full pruning reduces the risk of disease and the spread of infections. After cutting, the soil around is recommended to be treated with fungicidal preparations. A week later, the space is sprinkled with wood ash, then mulched with peat chips.

Phlox types - choose the most beautiful

When planning to plant beautiful flowers in the country, it is advisable to decide on the varieties that are most suitable for your garden. Conventionally, all types of phloxes are divided into several groups:

• bush tall, having a height of 90-170 cm, bloom in summer and early autumn - Phlox paniculata etc.);
• bush medium-sized(0.4-0.7 m) - begin to bloom in spring and the first decade of summer - Phlox pilosa;
• undersized phloxes(25-40 cm) are creeping, bushy. They begin flowering in the second decade of spring and the first summer month - Phlox divaricata, Stolonifera;
• creeping plants(rising) are located no higher than 15 cm from the soil cover and bloom already in the spring months - Phlox subulata, Douglasii.

Considering that phloxes are winter-hardy and unpretentious plants, even a beginner grower can cope with planting and caring for these decorative flowers. It is enough to know the features of agricultural technology for growing phlox, the rules for planting and choosing a place for a plant. How to grow phlox in the right way open ground and avoid typical mistakes - read in the selection of material.

Phlox - description of the plant

A herbaceous plant from the cyanotic family, phlox, in translation means "flame". They got this name due to the bright red color of the flowers of the first wild-growing species.

• North America is considered the birthplace of culture, the harsh climate of which made phloxes unpretentious and tenacious. Therefore, at present, the genus of phlox is distributed throughout the world.
• Most types of phlox are represented by perennial plants, although annuals (Drummond's phlox) and even semi-shrubs are found in the culture.
• Perennial phloxes have a lush but compact bushy form.
• Phlox stems are straight or creeping, densely leafy, from 10 to 150 cm in height, depending on the species. At the end of the growing season, the stems become slightly woody.
• The leaves are sessile, oppositely arranged, oval-elongated.
• The root system of Phlox is powerful, able to easily hold large and lush flowering bushes.
• The main decoration of the culture are small (3-4 cm in diameter), but very fragrant flowers. In shape, they resemble an opened funnel, and, thanks to the mass assembly (80-90 pieces each) in complex inflorescences, they give the culture a spectacular decorative look. Phlox inflorescences are always located at the ends of the shoots.

• The corollas of the flower, within the genus, vary widely in shape and color. They can be stellate, dissected, saucer-shaped or other configuration. The shades also impress with their variety: from delicate white, pink, lilac tones, to brightly saturated reds or purples. They can be either monochromatically colored or colorfully “decorated” with colored splashes, contrasting stripes or a bright core. Phlox fruit is represented by an oval box with numerous seeds.
• Given the rather long period of abundant flowering, phloxes have long won the favor of many flower growers. In addition, the plant is highly winter-hardy, fast-growing and unpretentious.

Phloxes: species and varietal diversity

The genus includes about 85 species and more than 400 different varieties of phlox. Such a variety of plants is classified according to several criteria.

• According to morphological features, plants are divided into bushy, loosely soddy and creeping phloxes. Moreover, bush phloxes are subdivided, in turn, into a short and tall subgroup.
• Different types of phlox are also classified according to flowering time: they are early (bloom in spring), medium (bloom in summer) and late (bloom in summer and autumn).
• According to the growing season, Phlox are distinguished annual and perennial.

annual phlox

The representative of this group - Drummond's phlox - is bright and beautiful shrub, blooming from June until frost. Fragrant flowers come in purple, white, carmine red, yellow and lilac.

Phlox Drummond has two subspecies: stellate (usually tall, with star-shaped flowers) and large-flowered (distinguished by bright, large flowers).

perennial phlox

A fairly large group of plants of this genus, widespread in horticulture. Consider the most famous types.

• Phlox subulate

An early flowering light-loving species, characterized by abundant and lush flowering of inflorescences of different shades. The bush is not tall, but lush and densely branching. Phlox got its name due to the presence of narrow subulate leaves. During the period of active flowering, the foliage on the shrub is practically invisible due to the overgrown and densely planted lush inflorescences. Phlox subulate looks great as wild borders, in flowerpots and flowerpots.

• Phlox paniculata

Flowering comes later, from mid-summer, forming giant fragrant "caps" of inflorescences of a diverse color palette. This species is used by breeders to breed many hybrid varieties of phlox. For example, such as: Pure Feelings terry phlox (a tall variety (about 80 cm), with large double flowers), Natural Feelings terry phlox (has small flowers resembling a lilac branch), Orange phlox (a series of frost-resistant and unpretentious varieties, with inflorescences , orange shades), Phlox King (tall variety (about 100 cm), with large flowers).

• Phlox splayed

This species is represented by neat, medium-sized (up to 40 cm), bushes with lignified stems. Phlox blooms in spring, with blue and lilac inflorescences. Does not form seeds.

• creeping phlox

Low-growing, early-flowering species, not exceeding 15-20 cm in height. The stem is branched, creeping. Umbrella inflorescences are brightly colored.

• Phlox Arends

Hybrid tall species, characterized by a long flowering period. A feature of Arends phlox is the ability to re-bloom after pruning. The stems of the plant are weak, in need of support.

• Phlox spotted

Differs in variegated color of flowers, with numerous spots and strokes. The plant tolerates partial shade well. The most popular varieties are Rosalind, Alpha, White Pyramid, Natasha, Delta, Omega.

To buy phlox desired varieties, it is better to contact a specialized nursery or garden center. If, however, a novice florist does not fundamentally strict compliance with the declared variety, you can purchase seedlings at flower markets.

And in order to finally make a choice, you can additionally familiarize yourself with reviews phlox growers. It is convenient to do this on special flower forums or thematic sites.

Growing phlox: breeding methods

Phloxes reproduce vegetatively (part of a plant) and generatively (from seeds).

• Reproduction of phloxes from seeds takes a longer period than vegetative methods and does not guarantee the preservation of varietal characteristics of the plant. The advantage of this method is the high level of adaptation of grown phloxes to local climatic conditions and soil characteristics.
• Vegetative propagation is the most commonly used and relatively labor-intensive process. They practice dividing the bush into parts, cutting the vegetative parts of the phlox, propagating with the help of axillary buds or layering. Each method has its own characteristics and technological methods.

Reproduction by cuttings

• Cuttings can be prepared from the stem, root and leaf parts of the plant.
• Propagation by root cuttings is a simple method, practiced when the shrub is infected with nematodes. In May-June, they dig up a plant, choose strong healthy roots and divide them into parts, about 5 cm long. They are planted obliquely, in a container with earth and sand, regularly moistened and thus germinated. The temperature in the room is gradually increased, starting from 10-15°C and moving (after 2 weeks) to 20-25°C. The grown seedlings are then transplanted into open ground.
• When preparing stem cuttings, developed shoots are cut into segments with at least two nodes (about 10 cm long). The upper cut is 2-3 cm above the node, the lower one is immediately below the node. For better rooting, the whole cuttings are placed in water for 50-60 minutes. The lower leaves are removed, a small cut is made under the lower bud, and the cuttings are planted in the ground for germination. It is better to build a greenhouse for these purposes, covering the cuttings with a film. The procedure is carried out in spring (May-June) or autumn (September).

• Propagation by leaf cuttings is carried out in early summer. The main condition is to cut off part of the stem with a leaf and an axillary bud. The cut cuttings are germinated in a greenhouse (at a temperature of about 20-30 ° C), deepening the kidney by 1-2 cm into the ground. Providing the necessary temperature regime and regular moisture, in the autumn the cuttings germinate, and in the spring they can already be planted in open ground.

Reproduction by layering

• To make layering, you need to bend the lower shoots from the mother bush to the ground, and then sprinkle them on top with earth. You can pin the shoots with a staple or wire. The top of the shoot is not covered with earth.
• Rooted layers are eventually separated from the bush and planted in a new place.

The division of the bush

• A simple and not laborious method of reproduction is carried out in spring or early autumn. It is believed that the spring transplant is more successful and productive.
• The method is suitable only for mature and healthy bushes that have reached at least 4-5 years of age.
• The bush is carefully dug up, trying not to injure the roots. Then it is divided into equal parts, carefully separating the root collars. Separate parts are planted in a permanent place.

Reproduction by seeds

• The collected mature seeds are cleaned from the seed box and sown for the winter in a special container.

• The soil mixture in the container consists of soil, sand and humus. Seeds are sown to a depth of about 1-2 cm.
• For seed stratification, the container is left outside, covered with snow or leaves on top. In the spring, the seed container is brought into a warm room for the germination of phlox seedlings.
• It is possible in the same way to sow seeds immediately on the site, then in the spring the first shoots of future seedlings will appear. When sowing seeds in open ground, the percentage of germination is much lower than in a special container.

Phlox planting features

• First of all, you need to choose the right place for landing. Phloxes grow well, delighting with abundant flowering, in sunny, lit places. Although, light partial shade from neighboring trees or shrubs (especially on a hot afternoon) will be an ideal place for planting phlox. The absence of drafts and direct gusts of wind also favorably affects the development of the plant.
• Phloxes, although they are moisture-loving plants, do not tolerate stagnant moisture well. Given the superficial location of the roots of the shrub, it is better to choose a place with a deeper location. ground water to avoid excessive, detrimental to the culture, humidity. Lowlands, where moisture is constantly retained, are also not suitable.
• Planting time may be spring (April - the first half of May), but then the flowering period of the crop is shifted a few weeks later. When planting in the autumn period (end of August - September), you should not wait for cold weather, as seedlings can simply freeze in winter. When planting phloxes in the fall, the shoots of the bush are cut off by a third. Summer planting of phloxes is also practiced, but successful rooting will be possible only if the seedlings are thoroughly regularly moistened, a natural clod of earth is preserved on the rhizome during planting and all inflorescences are removed.

• Although phloxes are considered unpretentious to the type of soil, it is still better to give preference to fertile, light, moisture-permeable and loose soil. Loams with slightly acidic or neutral acidity are the best option for phlox. Before planting, it will not be superfluous to add organic fertilizers (compost, wood ash) to the pit. With increased acidity, lime is added.
• Flower growers recommend replanting phloxes every 6-7 years to rejuvenate a perennial shrub and enhance flowering. Under favorable conditions and proper care, the culture can grow well in one place for up to 10 years.
• Planting is carried out in pre-dug holes, vertically exposing the seedling, straightening the roots, and tamping the soil around.
• After planting and subsequent watering, it is better to mulch the soil around the plant with peat or humus.
• The distance between seedlings should be at least half a meter, given that the bushes will grow in the future.

Phlox care

Caring for these wonderful flowers will not require much hassle and effort. Growing phloxes on your site, you will need to perform the usual simple activities for watering, loosening or feeding plants. Tall varieties with thin stems will need to be tied to a support or planted tightly together.

Winter-hardy, not capricious in care, phloxes can be affected by a number of diseases or pests. Here, perhaps, is the only possible problem to which special attention should be paid.

• Watering

Moisture-loving phloxes need regular watering. The culture does not tolerate both a lack and an excess (stagnation) of moisture. Constantly moist soil is the main indicator of proper watering. The lack of water affects the growth of the shrub and its flowering.

When watering a shrub, it is important to pour water directly under the root, trying not to splash on the foliage and stems. On hot and dry days, watering is carried out twice a day: in the morning and in the evening.

• loosening

After watering, the soil must be loosened or mulched with humus, peat. Mulch helps keep the soil moist and prevents weeds from growing.

• top dressing

Phloxes are very responsive to organic fertilizing and mineral fertilizers. Approximate fertilizer application rates are 5-6 times per season, starting from May and ending in August or September.

The first feeding is carried out organic fertilizers: manure infused in water (30 g per 8 liters of water), wood ash. The addition of ammonium nitrate (2 g per 1 liter of water) is also practiced.

The second top dressing is supplemented, in addition to liquid manure, with potassium salt and superphosphate.

Then (about a month later) organic matter is again introduced into the soil.

The last top dressing is carried out at the end of summer, using potassium and phosphorus-containing complexes.

Fertilization is carried out after watering the plant.

• pruning

For rejuvenation and the formation of the desired shape, the shrub must be periodically cut. Before the onset of cold weather, cut off the entire ground part of the phlox, leaving no more than 5 cm of lignified shoots.

If the grower wants to have a low-growing voluminous bush on the site, you need to periodically (starting in May) pinch its top. This procedure delays the flowering process by at least 2 weeks.

• Shelter for the winter

Young seedlings, in order to avoid freezing, must be covered for the winter. You can sprinkle with dry foliage, humus or spruce branches and mature shrubs so that during a harsh and little snowy winter, phloxes do not suffer.

• Pest and disease control

The most common pests that affect phlox are stem nematodes, cruciferous flea beetles, common earwigs, and naked slugs.

Defeat by nematodes is easy to identify by twisted flowers and dried tops of shoots. To combat this pest, all infected parts of the plant must be cut and destroyed, the soil must be limed. Often, in order to prevent the death of the plant, the bush is completely cut off, and the rhizome is used for further propagation by cuttings.

Of the diseases, more often phloxes suffer from powdery mildew, spotting, phomosis and verticillium.

If a whitish coating appears on the shoots and leaves, it is urgent to deal with powdery mildew. To do this, the plant is treated with special means containing copper ("Oksihom", "Khom", copper sulfate, Bordeaux liquid).

A fungal disease of the roots - verticillium, causes wilting and fading of the color of the shrub. To combat the fungus, the soil is disinfected with lime and the plant is removed along with a clod of earth. To prevent the disease, before planting, seedlings should be treated with Maxim or Gamair preparations.

The use of phlox in landscape design

Phloxes are a versatile plant material for decorating any landscape, landscape gardening or flower beds. A separately planted bush will become a bright highlight of the backyard, and group compositions will luxuriously decorate a lawn or garden path.

The awl-shaped phloxes are ideal for decorating alpine slides, and the panicled look is ideal for decorating unsightly places.

Phloxes go well with other plants: irises, daylilies, meadow geraniums or astilbes. And against the background of silvery representatives of the coniferous family, abundantly blooming bright undersized species of phlox look especially advantageous.

Previously, phlox was considered "grandmother's" plants: ordinary and nondescript, but with the development of new elegant and original varieties, phlox is rightfully considered a modern and magnificent flower culture.

Summing up, it should be noted that such "beauty" can be easily grown on your own. The step-by-step technology of planting and caring for a plant outlined in the article will help you easily cope with this task. Well, the result, in the form of a lushly flowering fragrant shrub, will not be long in coming.

The first cultivars of phlox adorned European greenhouses and parks in the 18th century. Today, phloxes, planting and caring for them in the open field, which beginner summer residents can do, are one of the most popular garden perennials.

Most often, in the flower beds you can see paniculate phloxes with erect leafy stems and caps of simple or semi-double flowers of various colors that open in the second half of summer. For several years, the perennial grows, forming a bright curtain. At the same time, phlox is not afraid of frost, the plant is not afraid of drought and is content with minimal care.

No less remarkable are the undersized varieties of phlox used to decorate borders, rock gardens, and the foreground of multi-tiered flower beds. They are unpretentious, bloom for a long time and brightly, easily, like paniculate phloxes, multiply and are so diverse that they allow any grower's ideas to come true.

What are the ways to plant phlox in the ground, when to plant flowers, and how to take care of plants?

How and when to plant phlox in open ground

Due to the good germination of seeds, adaptability and unpretentiousness of seedlings, it is not difficult to “tame” beautiful perennial flowers. With a little effort, phloxes, after planting in open ground with seeds, green cuttings or parts of an adult plant, will soon please with the first buds and long flowering.

For paniculate and undersized types of phlox, sites are chosen:

• in the sun with light protection from the scorching midday rays;
• with loose garden soil of neutral acidity, well permeable to air and water.

When choosing a place for flowers, it should be borne in mind that individual variegated varieties in the hot sun can quickly fade, losing a large share of their decorative effect. It will be better if, during the hottest hours, a light shade will cover the inflorescences from the heat.

Planting phlox in open ground

In one place, phloxes grow well up to 8–20 years. Such longevity relieves the gardener of worries. But the plants weaken over time, the curtain growing on the periphery in the middle is exposed.

Every 4–6 years, phloxes are seated, dividing the adult bush into parts.

You can do this in spring, summer or closer to autumn. True, if plants get a new place of residence in late dates, they will not have time to take root and will not overwinter. This is important to consider when planting phloxes in open ground in the Urals, Siberia and other regions where sudden frosts and early cold weather are possible.

Rules for division and transplantation:

1. The phlox intended for division is dug up, trying not to damage the numerous, up to 15–25 cm long rhizomes.
2. Shoots are cut at a height of 10-15 m from the soil level.
3. Then, with a sharp knife, the bush is divided into parts so that each has at least 2–5 healthy growth points.
4. The sections are treated with coal powder, after which the delenki are planted in the place intended for them.

To speed up the engraftment of plants and simplify care in the open field, the soil is prepared in advance before planting phloxes. The site is dug up to a full bayonet, weeds are selected, they are brought in.

Planting pits for perennial phloxes are made in the fall, if the plants fall into the ground in the spring. For summer and autumn plantings, the soil is ennobled at least 2-4 weeks before transplanting. Fresh organics can burn the roots, so only well-rotted compost and manure are used as fertilizers. When the pits are filled, the soil is moistened and fresh delenki are planted. Phlox growth points after planting in the ground should be at a depth of 2–3 cm. The soil is carefully compacted, watered again and densely.

They do the same when green cuttings are used for planting, cut off when shoots 15 cm long appear on the phlox in May or early June. The stems are cut so that a pair of buds remain on the mother plant. The lower leaves are removed from the cuttings, the upper one is cut in half. Then the planting material is immersed in water for 40–60 minutes.

After that, phloxes can be planted in a greenhouse or immediately in open ground. The cuttings are deepened by a couple of centimeters. After 1–2 weeks, roots appear on new plants, and phloxes ready for planting and care in the open field are transferred to a permanent place.

Caring for phlox in the open field after planting

Caring for perennial phlox will not burden the summer resident. Plants need watering, keeping the soil clean and top dressing to help phlox grow and bloom well.

After planting phloxes in the spring, care for them in the open field necessarily includes weeding and loosening the soil. Otherwise, weeds clog seedlings, and a dense crust does not allow getting enough water and oxygen.

If it rains in summer, additional watering is not required. The dry months are another matter. In this case, the bushes are watered regularly, plentifully, especially during flowering, trying not to get tender petals. Best time for watering perennial phlox - evening hours.

From the second half of summer, phloxes are often affected - one of the most common diseases carried by harmful fungi. To protect phloxes in the open field from disease, preventive and, if necessary, therapeutic treatments of bushes with fungicides are included in post-planting care.

Double spraying is carried out in early and mid-summer. If this does not help, the bushes will have to be cut short and treated liberally with a liquid preparation containing copper.

Before the onset of winter, it is important to remove plant debris from under the bushes, and carefully spray the plants themselves with Bordeaux liquid or blue vitriol.

Perennial phloxes tolerate winter well, but if there is not enough snow, they can freeze. Therefore, in the fall, the aerial part is cut off, and the bushes are covered with a thick layer of mulch or spruce branches.

Phloxes are beautiful bright flowers from the cyanotic family, which are very decorative, used in the formation of flower beds. Beautiful plants have advantages, for which gardeners fell in love - unpretentiousness in care, the ability to grow in conditions of different lighting, survival on any soil. In the cut, phloxes stand for a long time - they can often be found in the design of the interiors of living rooms.

Phloxes grow in flowerbeds for many years, surviving the winter, severe frosts. Breeders have bred many varieties that differ in shades, plant height, endurance, and other indicators. This genus of plants is one of the best in the flower bed for the duration of flowering, the ability to survive frosts.

You can get your own plant by getting seeds or cuttings. In both ways, it quickly turns out to grow an adult plant, which begins to bloom in the shortest possible time.

Planting phlox in open ground and caring for them

Phloxes can be grown on almost any soil - they are unpretentious. But the most ideal are loamy. It is recommended to add some lime to the soil to improve the growing conditions of the plant.

The site begins to be prepared in the fall: they arrange a thorough digging of the earth on it, during which weed rhizomes and pebbles are removed, since in the early years the bushes weakly resist wild vegetation.

Choose the most illuminated areas of the flower beds, because phloxes love the sun. The exception is hybrids, the petals of which can quickly burn out in the sun.

If phloxes have dark colors of petals, it is better to plant them mixed with light ones, so that both in the evening and in the afternoon the flower bed looks as profitable as possible.

How to plant phlox in the ground, look at the video:

Caring for phlox is easy. It is necessary to regularly maintain the soil loose, remove weeds in time. In order for the flower bed to please with violent flowering, fertilizers must be applied periodically.

For phlox, it does not matter where to grow - in the shade or in the sun. But undersized varieties need more sun. Those and other forms of plants need to be fertilized in time so that they quickly and in a timely manner grow to the desired forms.

Watering should be sufficient, but rare. The exceptions are the weeks when it is very hot outside and the air humidity is minimal. Then the soil loses water very quickly, so the plant needs to be watered more often. This procedure is performed in the afternoon, in the late afternoon.

Some phlox varieties naturally form seeds. But this is not a 100% guarantee. In order for the plant to produce seed, the necessary optimum temperature air, proper growing conditions, proper care. Therefore, do not worry if there are no seeds - this is quite a common occurrence.

Phlox care in autumn

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

Phloxes that suffered from fungal diseases need fungicide treatment, which is carried out in October, when most of the shoots have faded.

Often, plants build up seed, but do not have time to do this before frost. To achieve seed production, the bushes are removed from the flower bed along with the soil and planted in pots, which are kept in the building until the seeds are fully ripe.

Autumn is a great time to rejuvenate phlox and transplant, which will be discussed later.

When to transplant phlox

Panicled phlox - which does not require frequent transplantation. It feels comfortable up to 15 years in one place. But due to the growth of lateral shoots and the aging of the center of the plant, it is recommended to rejuvenate and transplant at least every 5-7 years.

How, when and how to feed phlox

Phloxes are fed several times per season:

• In spring, in May, before flowering - nitrogen and potassium. Potassium nitrate is perfect.
• In early June, feeding is repeated by adding superphosphate to potassium nitrate, which will stimulate budding and flowering.
• In early July, they feed for the third time, reducing the dose of nitrogen.
• At the end of July, they are fed only with phosphorus and potassium salt.
• Phloxes are fed for the last time in August, and then if they are still blooming. Phosphate and potassium fertilizers are used.

The consumption of each fertilizer is calculated as follows: a matchbox of loose or granular fertilizer (or a mixture thereof) per 10 liters of water. Spend this solution per square meter.

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

Reproduction of phloxes by dividing the bush

Any phloxes need to be divided into separate bushes so that they develop normally and have a neat appearance. The procedure is carried out at least once every 5-7 years, but it is possible more often - once every 3-4 years. A special season is not chosen for this, division is carried out at any warm time.

The bush is dug in a circle, it is taken out of the soil and the shoots are shortened to 10-15 cm long. Then, with an ax, a shovel, a knife, the bush is divided into parts with 2-5 renewal buds in each. There is no need to worry about the roots: they are long and developed.

The pits where the plant will sit should be prepared in advance, that is, in the fall they are prepared for spring, and in spring for summer. The distance between the pits is 60 cm for tall phloxes and less for the rest.

The pit is filled with compost (0.5 buckets), mineral fertilizer, ash as a source of potassium. If the pH of the soil is acidic (that is, less than 5-7), you need to pour a glass of lime into each hole. Before planting phloxes, all the ingredients in the pit are thoroughly mixed in order to prevent root burns.

Water is poured abundantly into the pit and placed. They fall asleep with a substrate, making sure that the renewal buds are covered with earth only by 5 cm. Then they tamp the earth, adding compost if necessary.

The final planting layer is a mulch of peat, leaf litter or humus, the thickness of which is 10 cm. This layer is needed to create optimal conditions in the ground and accelerate the rooting of new plants, because they must have time to do this before frost.

Phlox rejuvenation method

There are other ways to rejuvenate plants. They take a narrow pointed shovel, with which they cut out the center of the bush, treat the cut point with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and pour humus on top. The resulting segment of the plant can be planted in another place or divided.

Reproduction of phlox cuttings photo

Green cuttings are used for propagation, which are harvested when the plant reaches a height of 15 cm. This is the ideal time when the cuttings take root best, and then their vitality decreases throughout the year.

When cutting off young shoots, make sure that the mother plant remains with at least two developed buds. Young cuttings stand in water for an hour to protect them from withering during planting and speed up the rooting process. It is not worth keeping the greens in the water longer, so as not to cause the reverse process.

• Before planting the cutting in the ground, cut off the peduncle, pinch off the lower leaves, and partially cut off the rest to reduce evaporation.
• The length of an ideal planting cutting is 6-10 cm.

A mature cutting can be planted in the shade in a flower bed or held on a windowsill. The survival rate of phloxes increases when they are covered with wet paper. The stalk is inserted deep into the ground only 2-3 cm, lightly tamping the soil around. Be sure to monitor soil moisture, you can cover the stalk with a cut plastic bottle and remove the cap from the neck for ventilation. Rooting occurs 6-14 days after this operation.

Using autumn cuttings to propagate phlox

Autumn - an ideal planting material for the reproduction of phlox. August-September is suitable for harvesting, although before that you can also harvest shoots by rooting them in shady places in the garden. When the plant winters on its own, it will bloom profusely in the spring.

It is important to plant the cuttings deep, placing a large number of buds underground, which will provoke an excellent wintering and violent growth in the spring.

Growing phlox from seeds

Phlox seeds have excellent germination, so they are sown directly into the ground in spring. Many people prefer to sow phlox seeds before winter using seedling boxes. They are left for the winter in the garden and, at the first warm weather, they are brought into the room to get early seedlings.

They sprout together, so they need to be sown as little as possible to avoid picks. However, with dense crops, it is better to plant the plants in separate cups in order to get powerful seedlings. They are planted in the ground in May, after hardening the plants.

The video will tell you about growing phlox from seeds:

Phloxes and powdery mildew What to do if phloxes turn yellow

Phloxes are not very susceptible to disease, but powdery mildew is a frequent guest of this plant. It is unpleasant in that the green foliage and flowers are covered with an unpleasant white coating, which is difficult to get rid of. The peak of the development of the disease occurs in July-August. When the leaves are damaged, they curl - the plant loses them. It is necessary to immediately begin the fight against the disease.

Preventive measures consist in the treatment of flowers in late autumn with copper sulfate or Bordeaux liquid at a concentration of 1%, and in summer fungicides are also added to the complex, with which the entire flower bed is treated twice a year (foundation, topaz, green soap, soon).

If the disease actively manifests itself again, you need to change the therapy and treat the foliage with soda ash in a concentration of: 2 tbsp. l. soda is mixed with 50 g of soap and a bucket of water. Bordeaux liquid (1%), a solution of copper with soap (20-30 g of vitriol and 200-300 g of soap) also work well. But when the plant stops blooming, diseased and dried residues are removed, after which the phloxes are again treated with fungicides.

Phloxes have a pleasant external, noble flowering, so they will be a pleasant addition to any garden, without requiring special care and growing conditions.

Phlox types with photos and names

Consider the most popular varieties and types of phlox, which are especially in demand in ornamental gardening.

Phlox paniculata or Phlox paniculata

The most popular type of plant. blooms in last month summer - early autumn. Differs in large inflorescences collected from multi-colored fragrant flowers - white, pink of various shades, lilac, purple. No yellow petals. Breeders have bred varieties that have multi-colored stripes on the petals.

The height of the bushes is 0.4-1 m. They are filled with leaves, lush greenery. The bushes themselves can consist of more than 20 shoots, growing as widely as possible.

The flowering time of panicled phlox is the whole season. The number of varieties, their diversity is so great that you can choose summer and autumn varieties, increasing the total flowering time of the flower bed by several months.

Phlox awl-shaped or subulata Phlox subulata

The herbaceous plant is characterized by very low growth (no more than 15 centimeters), with pale lilac or lilac-pink flowers in the amount of 2-4 pieces per inflorescence. Each stem contains a lot of branches that end in inflorescences. Thus, phlox subulata forms a whole carpet covered with delicate flowers, under which there is a dense soddy bush. Therefore, it is also called turf phlox. Flowering time is May-June.

The species is distinguished by interesting leathery leaves, which, due to their small width and pointed end, resemble needles.

The styloid phlox is grown as a curb flowering plant, used for discounts, perennial curtains, planted in flower baskets, flowerpots. It can be cut, trying to form a flower arrangement of an interesting shape.

Douglas Phlox Phlox douglasii

The plant is even smaller (5 cm), which spreads like a carpet over the surface of the flower bed. It has two blooms a year, which makes it especially popular. The first falls in May-June, and the second in autumn. The leaves are gray-green in color, small width. It blooms in white, pink, pale lilac and blue.

Phlox creeping groundcover

Also a small plant that blooms very early. The height is only 15-20 cm. It is characterized by no less strong branching than other similar plants. Flowers are combined into umbrellas, which individual individuals can have up to 10. Flowering time is May-June. Possible colors of the petals are pink, purple, red.

Phlox Canadian or splayed Phlox divaricata

The plant is already taller, the height of the stem of which is in the range of 15-40 cm. With an increase in size, the plants have become larger and the size of the flowers - they are larger than the rest, have a white, purple color, shades of gray. The diameter of the main inflorescence - an umbrella - is 10 cm. Seeds after flowering, which is May-June, are not formed.

This species is more sensitive to soil composition than others. On peat, acidic forest soils, it will wither, but soils based on humus and various light components will be ideal. They should not add peat, leaves, fresh manure.

As already mentioned, panicled phlox is the most popular type, but this does not mean that other options should not be considered. If you plant undersized phloxes that bloom early in May-June, this will be an excellent flower bed decoration in spring. And taller species will continue to bloom in late summer and autumn. Thus, there will always be a flowering carpet on the site, which can be used to decorate an alpine slide and rockeries.

These beautiful, fragrant flowers came to Europe from North America over three centuries ago. And then the outstanding Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus gave them the botanical name Phlox . And in the old days in Rus', lush multi-colored phloxes were called "sitchik".

Translated from Greek Phlox means "flame", "fire". It is also translated into the language of flowers as "the flame of your lips." The Greek origin of the name of phlox flowers is explained by a beautiful legend. Allegedly, when Odysseus and the Argonauts left the dungeon of the god Hades, they threw their burning torches to the ground. Their flame did not die out, but turned into bright flowers and sprouted, as if reminiscent of courageous travelers.

Today there are more than 50 species of phlox, and except for the annual Drummond, they are all perennial. For most of them, only the underground parts (roots, rhizomes) are such, and the above-ground stems and leaves die off at the end of the growing season. However, there are also evergreens with long-lived both parts.

Today, only up to 20 species of these flowers are used in ornamental gardening, floriculture, and landscape construction. You can admire the bright lush flowering of different varieties for almost half a year: from early spring, all summer until late autumn. Therefore, it is difficult to disagree with the German gardener, philosopher Karl Forster, that "a garden without phloxes is nonsense."

Depending on the habitat of wild phlox species, their appearance, ecological, morphological features may differ. All these plants with straight rigid stems, fragrant flowers of various colors, petal shapes are divided into 3 groups:

Among the tall ones, reaching a height of up to 180 cm, there are panicled, spotted, smooth and a number of others. They give flowers from early autumn and early summer. They are usually placed in the background of flower arrangements.

Undersized grow up to only 60 cm, bloom from late spring to early summer. Thick-haired (Caroline), hairy, lovely, oval Delilah, Candy Twist, etc. are popular in this subgroup. They add a special charm to any composition when placed in the foreground.

Along with this general classification breeders continue to create interspecific hybrids, varieties. Some of them have already started organizing separate groups.

Varieties of perennial phlox with a photo

When choosing a plant, we advise you to focus both on its height and on the color of numerous varieties. There are more than 1,500 of them. It is not surprising that they are given very sonorous names that are associated with certain images and themes. Let's take a look at some of them:

Selection of planting material

When buying planting material, you need to pay attention to the presence of up to 5 correctly colored shoots, the length of which reaches about 6 cm. They should have a shiny surface and healthy roots shortened to 15 cm.

For planting perennial phloxes, healthy plants with greenish, roughened skin and leaves intact by pests are selected. Future seedlings should have 2-3 thickened stems, large buds formed at their bases.

Even before digging, the length of the stems of adult plants is cut in half. After carefully extracting the bush, cleaning it from the ground, the root system is divided into several parts.

Cutting off rhizomes for future seedlings can be done with your hands, a sharp shovel or knife. It is important not to damage the vegetative buds located at the base of the stem. Each young bush should have at least 8 buds, from which new shoots will grow. And the root without them can die.

Attention should be paid to the good development of the root system, the length of the root is not more than 15 cm. If necessary, the rhizomes can only be shortened by one third with a pruner.

Procurement of planting material can be carried out even from the moment of germination. To do this, a young shoot is carefully broken out on a healthy bush, along with part of its rhizome. On a handle with two internodes, the cut is made under the lower one and 5-7 cm above the upper one.

You can grow perennial phlox using vegetative methods and, like annuals from seeds. Most often, planting materials are chosen for the reproduction of perennial phlox due to the first, namely:

• The division of the bush considered to be the most labor-intensive method. It allows you to use the plant for a new planting, while helping to rejuvenate the old bush of your favorite variety. "Delenka" is used when the bush reaches the age of 3-4 years at any time of the year. This method consists in digging it, dividing it into parts, sprinkling the resulting hole with fertile soil. Plants divided in this way with straightened roots are planted in another place with a depth of 3 cm into the soil.

• layering are made by bending the stem to the ground until flowering. Then it is fixed along the entire length and covered with peat with humus. By autumn, this sprouted shoot is separated from the "native" bush, transplanted to the chosen place.

Many practice the use of spring growth shoots. They are carefully broken out with a “heel” from heavily thickened bushes at the very base of the stem. For better rooting, the shoots are first planted in a greenhouse or insulated greenhouse, because in the open field this process is very slow. From the end of May - the beginning of June, after regular watering with warm, settled water, the shoots with the formed roots are planted at the selected site of the site.

cuttings carried out during the entire growing season of the plant. It begins when the shoot reaches 5 cm and ends before the end of September. Spring and summer cuttings take root most successfully.

So in May-June, you can cut off small pieces of young shoots with two pairs of leaves. These cuttings are placed in moist soil and covered with a jar until they are fully rooted.

The method of grafting is expedient if it is necessary to propagate a large number of phloxes.

Phlox breeding: video

When is the best time to plant phlox - in spring or autumn

According to experienced flower growers, the most favorable time for transplantation is early spring (late April - early May).

Autumn planting is quite allowed during the period of budding on the basal collars from the end of August, but no later than the first days of September.

If, after school hours, “it’s impossible, but you really want to,” then it’s better not to plant, but to dig the chosen plant to a depth of loose soil up to 25 cm. On the eve of cold weather, this place is mulched or covered with dense material.

When planting in autumn, for better rooting, it is necessary to pre-prun the upper part of the bushes. During flowering, phloxes can also be transplanted, provided they are carefully dug up with a clod of earth and further regularly watered.

It is important to remember that a plant can take root, fully develop and grow without disease only if the root system is not overdried. But summer transplants of these plants should be avoided. At this time, they grow very slowly, can be subjected to drying, pest attacks.

Perennial phlox can be planted in both autumn and spring. The key to the duration, lush flowering of phloxes is the correct choice of the time and place of their planting, soil cover, agricultural techniques.

Main requirement proper fit- soil fertility per 1 shovel bayonet. This is due to the shallow occurrence (up to 30 cm) of a powerful, branched root system and the location of the bulk of the substances that feed it up to 20 cm from the soil surface.

Where to plant

The landing site should be free of moisture stagnation. Therefore, it is better not to choose damp, low-lying areas of the plots. The best option is flower beds slightly raised in relation to the surface of the plot. Despite their light-loving nature, they are more like a slight penumbra than bright sunlight or a thick shadow.

The place should not be "open to all winds", especially during wintering. Therefore, planting phloxes on the north side is not recommended. Planting flowers should also be avoided in the shade. large trees due to unequal forces in the struggle for light, moisture, nutrients.

When determining the "place of residence" of plants when planting, it is important to take into account their growth, color scheme, harmony of combination with other plants.

Soil preparation

The choice of location also implies attention to the composition of the soil. Light earth with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction is suitable for planting phloxes. If the earth is too acidic in places suitable for it, then it is neutralized with quicklime (200 g per 1 m²).

clay soil mixed with sand, and sandy with peat. Loamy soil can be “ennobled” by mixing it with mature humus, ash, bone meal in proportions of 100 g per 1 m². Such "intervention in nature" + regular moderate feeding will make the cultivation of phlox effective.

Planting perennial and annual phlox differs little, with the exception of some nuances. So, during spring planting, the distance between perennials should be somewhat larger than that of annuals, since the former will grow over the years.

So, for example, between undersized, ground cover phloxes, a distance between bushes of up to 40 cm is observed. For varieties with an average height, it should be up to 50 cm, and tall ones - at least 70 cm. Along with this, after planting, the soil around them will certainly be mulched (dry humus , peat, small shavings, chopped straw, etc.).

On the eve of the onset of winter, phloxes should not be planted, but only dug to a depth of up to 25 cm. At the same time, the place should be protected from the winter wind, and snow should cover them. And after the soil freezes, buried flowers must be covered with dry foliage or peat.

Phloxes that managed to grow up after spring cuttings are planted in autumn in open ground in a permanent place. In the absence of sufficient moisture, rains, seedlings are abundantly watered 2-3 times weekly for 14 days. The soil around them is loosened, mulched.

Cloudy daytime or evening weather is suitable for planting perennials.

This method of cultivation can be the result of "self-seeding" of seeds that have fallen off plants or planting pre-harvested. In the second case, the seeds are harvested in autumn before the opening of brown seed pods, withering of all foliage.

A sign of mature seeds is their dense structure of dark green color, characteristic crackling when pressed. Consideration should be given to the need for frequent collection due to uneven maturation. After collecting, cleaning from the husk, the remains of the leaves, the finished seed material is immediately laid in the prepared soil (September-early November).

As a result of winter natural selection, the strongest survive and begin to germinate already with the snow melting. In mid-May, seedlings can be planted in their designated places, taking into account the preferences of the soil composition.

Some gardeners consider the optimal time for sowing seeds from November to January (sowing before winter). To do this, a pre-prepared flower bed or garden bed is cleared of the first snow. Then seeds are laid out on their surface with a distance of up to 5 cm from each other, sprinkled on top with a layer of up to 1 cm of garden soil, snow. The experience of this simple method of planting in open ground shows up to 70% germination, previously lush flowering.

Growing phlox seedlings in these ways makes it possible to obtain fairly resistant plants by diving densely sprouted seeds in open ground. Such seedlings can be planted at the desired interval and admire the flowers in the first year of their life.

Sowing at home

When growing seedlings in room conditions, perennial phloxes need to prepare seeds for germination (stratification). To do this, after planting in a container with a substrate, they are kept for 15-20 days at room temperature and in the cold no higher than +4 ° C.

After staying at a low temperature, the container is placed in a bright place, separated from the heaters by a screen. Here, the air should warm up to the optimum for seed germination no higher than +12 °C.

After they have germinated, the period of traditional care for phlox seedlings begins. This is the uniformity of lighting, regular watering-spraying, shelter, removal of condensate, ventilation, picking.

Landing in the ground

It begins when seedlings have 4-6 true leaves. They are seated at a distance of 20 cm in a pre-selected place. At the same time, the soil between still small phloxes must be mulched with at least mowed grass without seeds.

This will keep the soil moist, soft, and free of weeds. Indispensable types of care for growing phlox are careful loosening of the earth, weeding, watering, top dressing.

How to grow perennial phlox from seeds: video

Caring for perennial phlox in summer

It consists in regular watering (morning, evening) under the root. After the flowers get stronger, to increase the bushiness, they are pinched over 4-5 pairs of leaves. During the active flowering of phloxes from July to September, all fading inflorescences should be removed. This favors the emergence of new flower stalks in the axils of the leaves.

During the growth period, perennials need 5 times fertilizer, while annuals need 4 times. Thanks to the latter, top dressing helps the formation of full-fledged seeds in boxes.

With proper care, top dressing, the flowers will thank the growth of at least 7 years without loss of decorative effect.

Diseases and pests

They do not strongly overcome phloxes. However, with poor care, planting in the shade, thickened plantings, powdery mildew is possible. It attacks stems and leaves.

Another very unpleasant pest is the nematode (roundworms). Neighbors can help here: marigolds, nasturtium, calendula.

How to transplant phlox: video

How to master a neglected site Planting phloxes: video

Attentive attitude to flowers, compliance with the rules of agricultural technology will allow you to enjoy the colorful and fragrant phlox every year.