Phlox: tips for planting, care & propagation

The flame flower should not be missing in any cottage garden. Here you will learn everything from planting to caring for and propagating phlox in your own garden.

The beauty of the phlox (phlox) is her wonderful summery fragrance. It not only inspires us, but also attracts numerous butterflies.

phlox

Phlox is an asset to any garden. With the decision for the phlox, you are not only doing something good for your eyes, numerous insects will also thank you, because phlox is an excellent flower. It not only blooms a lot, but also for a long time.

Phlox: origin and characteristics

Phlox belongs to the so-called Himmelsleiter family (Polemoniaceae) and is also called flame flower. The phlox itself is just as beautiful as its name sounds. The plant originally comes from North America, Asia and parts of Russia. There it grows in different climatic zones, which is why many different species of phlox have developed. And quite a few of these have long since made it into our gardens. The plants come in all shapes and sizes: large or small, elongated or creeping on the ground. What they all have in common is that they are herbaceous and attract attention with their characteristic flowers. Most phloxes are perennial and easily survive cold winters.

Phlox species and cultivars

The phlox has over 70 species. And ever since he was 18 It came to Europe as an ornamental plant in the 19th century, and countless varieties were also bred. So today the selection of the most diverse Phlox species and varieties is extremely large. Many of the species bloom throughout the summer in shades of white, red, pink and purple.

Phlox paniculata

The high perennial phlox is probably the best known of the countless phlox species. It comes from North America and reaches a height of up to 1.5 meters. This makes it a popular companion in many a perennial border or cottage garden. He likes it humid and sunny.

Find out more about summer shrubs here Phlox paniculata.

Phlox subulata

The carpet phlox is hardly comparable to the tall perennial phlox, which is considered the epitome of the phlox. Carpet phlox, as the name suggests, tends to grow in width rather than height. He loves walls and crevices in the sun.

Phlox drummondii

The summer phlox is an annual species of phlox. The plant is widespread as a wild plant in Texas and is often used as an ornamental plant in this country. It only reaches a height of up to 50 centimeters.

Phlox amplifolia

The large-leaf phlox is quite similar to the tall perennial phlox. It also grows up to 1.5 meters high. The most important distinguishing feature is its significantly larger leaves. In addition, it is less susceptible to drought, diseases and pests. It is therefore always suitable where the tall perennial phlox does not want to thrive.

Phlox stolonifera

The so-called wandering phlox is also a good ground cover for shady areas. But don't worry - it doesn't spread unchecked, but can easily be put in its place. It blooms in spring and early summer, so it feels good under deciduous trees, for example. There is still enough light in the early part of the year. The wandering phlox also likes to grow along shady walls.

Phlox divaricate

As expected, the forest phlox can also cope with low light. It blooms in early spring and feels at home, for example, between later tall perennial plants. The forest phlox also gets along well at the edge of the forest and under deciduous trees and shrubs.

Phlox douglasii

The cushion phlox is the right type of phlox for the rock or roof garden because it loves the sun. The plant grows cushion-like over everything that gets in its way and only gets about 5 centimeters high. It flowers in various shades of purple in May and June.

The most important thing about the small Phlox douglasii you can find out here.

Buy phlox: You should pay attention to this

Phlox comes in many different varieties. Therefore, before buying, you should consider which phlox species best suits the selected location. If it is a sunny place, the high perennial phlox, the cushion phlox or the summer phlox are all suitable. However, unlike the others, the latter is an annual and must be sown anew every year. Forest phlox and wandering phlox are suitable for shady places. Otherwise, of course, the color is crucial. Some strains even have eyes in the center of the flower that contrast with the rest of the flower color. However, consider not only the location requirements and the flower color, but also the flowering time. Early flowering species are woodland and wandering phlox. Sun-loving species usually flower a little later and therefore longer.

tip: Because phlox quite vulnerable to opposite mildew is, you should watch out for white and greyish deposits so that you don't introduce the fungus into your garden when you buy it.

The most important criteria when buying Phlox:

• location claims
• flower color
• flowering time
• Check for mildew

Phlox is often offered at markets and it should always be found in nurseries as well. There is a wide range of products online, for example in the web shop Gaissmayer or at the nursery Countess of Zeppelin.

plant phlox

Planting phlox is not complicated, but there are a few things to keep in mind. While some phlox species prefer a sunny location, others like the shade. Plant phlox rather free-standing, so that no mildew can develop and keep cultivation breaks.

Anything else of importance to the planting of phlox is, find out here.

propagate phlox

Flame flowers can be propagated in three ways: either directly from cuttings or by division. If you leave withered inflorescences, then propagation via seeds is almost guaranteed.

Find out here what you can do with the Propagating Phlox should be considered and the best way to go about it.

care for phlox

Phlox is easy to care for and uncomplicated. However, to bring it to full bloom, you should support it.

Here we show you how to make yours care for phlox can, so that it thrives.

Water phlox

The water requirement varies greatly depending on the species. As a rule, not much watering is required except before and during flowering. However, keep in mind that species suitable for rock gardens usually have a lower water requirement, but also colonize a much drier location.

Fertilize phlox

A starting dose of a slow release fertilizer like ours Plantura organic flower fertilizer helps the phlox on the jumps and provides it with optimal nutrients. Alternatively you can compost or manure as fertilizer put in the planting hole. To really boost flowering, you can give a portion of fertilizer just before flowering.

cut phlox

In principle, Phlox does not require pruning, cutting is mainly used to rejuvenate wintergreen species. Removing wilted bud sites after flowering offers the benefit of preventing the plant from self-seeding. If you don't mind an increase in phlox, you can safely leave the inflorescences and enjoy even more phlox next year. Otherwise, with deciduous flame flowers in autumn, the dried shoots have to be cut.

What is it at Pruning Phlox you can read about here.

Overwinter phlox

Phlox is basically hardy and doesn't need any special attention before winter. In many species, the above-ground parts of the plant die off during the cold season, but sprout again in spring.

Tip: If you leave dead shoots in place until new shoots appear in spring, insects such as wild bees will find a place to hibernate.

Common Phlox Diseases and Pests

To prevent infestation with diseases and pests, you should use fertilizers with a low nitrogen content. While nitrogen is essential for plant growth, excess nitrogen makes plants more susceptible.

Against the real one mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) basically only a bright and well-ventilated location helps, because powdery mildew likes it damp. The fungus is easy to recognize as it covers the leaves and stems as a white-grey coating. The large-leaved phlox is more resistant than the tall perennial phlox.

A second group of fungi is also not averse to the phlox. These fungi of the group of Ascochyta and Septoria lead to the so-called leaf spot disease. As the name suggests, this leads to unsightly dark spots and dots on the leaves, which later lead to leaf fall. A common cause, as with powdery mildew, is excess humidity. An airy location is also helpful. However, do not water the plants from above to avoid wet or damp leaves. In the event of an infestation, you should definitely cut back all infested plants and burn the green waste or dispose of it in the household waste.

The third major phlox pests are the stem nematodes (Ditylenchus dipsaci). The longer the plant grows in the same place, the more pests such as stem nematodes multiply. They rob the plant of strength and energy and lead to stunted leaves and shoots. It only helps to temporarily change the location. It is best here to replace infested plants by cuttings.

How the cuttings propagation works and other methods for Propagation of Phlox you'll find here.