Does Phlox paniculata spread?
Plants grow 2-5′ tall with a 1-3′ spread. CULTURAL & MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Phlox paniculata flourishes in cool sunny sites with moist rich slightly alkaline soil. Light: Both varieties of phlox enjoy full sun, although the upright Garden phlox can take a little afternoon shade, particularly in the south. Soil: Phlox is tolerant of most garden soils, but well-drained soil is preferable, particularly in northern areas where spring snow is slow to drain.Spotty Leaves, Soft Stems, Mushy Roots Creeping phlox may present with spotty leaves, soft stems, and mushy roots if it is planted in poorly draining and excessively moist soil that does not have adequate air circulation, resulting in mold and root rot.Depending on the variety, phlox produces abundant, brilliant blooms in shades of pink, purple, and blue. Maintaining this easy-to-grow perennial means keeping common diseases at bay or treating them upon first sight. Three common diseases to be concerned about are powdery mildew, leaf spot, and root rot.
What is the common name for Phlox paniculata?
Phlox paniculata, commonly known as garden phlox, is native from New York to Iowa south to Georgia, Mississippi and Arkansas. Because there are so many different types of phlox, sunlight requirements vary. Tall garden phlox do best in full sun, while woodland species thrive in partial shade.Garden Phlox performs best in full sun and can reach heights of up to 4,’ while Woodland Phlox prefers cool, partial-shade areas and stays more compact as it creeps along the garden floor. Both thrive in zones 3-8 and neither variety tolerates excessive dry or hot locations.Phlox fall into a few broad categories: creeping phlox (Phlox subulata, a thick groundcover that blooms in spring), tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata, a summer favorite in cottage-style borders, usually about 3 feet tall) and woodland phlox (a less-familiar shade-lover).Light: Both varieties of phlox enjoy full sun, although the upright Garden phlox can take a little afternoon shade, particularly in the south.
What are the best companion plants for phlox?
Companion Plants: Phlox combine nicely with other garden Phlox cultivars and numerous sun loving perennials such as Agastache, Coreopsis, Echinacea, Euonymus, Gaillardia, Hemerocallis, ornamental grasses, Nepeta, Penstemon, Perovskia, Physocarpus, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Sedum, and Weigela. Perennial Gardens Garden phlox makes a good companion for other summer-blooming perennials such as lilies, bee balm, rudbeckia, Shasta daisies, yarrow, clematis and daylilies.Wait until fall frost kills tall phlox before pruning to the ground; fall pruning is keeps powdery mildew at bay. Regular deadheading and light trimming encourage bushier growth, extend blooming, and keep plants tidy.Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry. The Fashionably Early series is one of my favorites, and it does indeed bloom early, is disease free and will give 2-3 flushes of blooms per season. As tall phlox becomes overcrowded, flower production will decrease. You may need to divide them every 3-4 years.They do not need pruning during the growing season. You can remove spent flowers for aesthetic purposes. Cut phlox back after the stems and leaves have been killed by autumn frost. Trim the stems back to within 2 or 3 inches of the ground.
What is the lifespan of a phlox plant?
Phlox are herbaceous border stalwarts – hardy and very easy to grow. They have sturdy stems, so even the taller varieties rarely need staking. Largely pest-free and disease-resistant, they last for years in the garden. Deadhead Flowers Regularly • Remove spent blooms to encourage plants to produce more flowers and extend their blooming period. Tip: Use sharp scissors or pruners to avoid damaging the plant.After your phlox blooms and the blooms begin to fade, deadhead the plant to encourage it to bloom again. Simply pinch off the flowers or use scissors to cut off the spent blooms. After the blooming season, leave the foliage on your plant to help it gather energy for the coming year.To keep your plants the color you chose initially, it’s important to deadhead or remove clusters of faded flowers so mature, viable seeds are not dropped to the ground. Some newer phlox cultivated varieties are sterile, but even then, deadheading is a good idea because it results in more attractive plants.Should you cut back phlox after it flowers? Creeping phlox plants should be cut back after they finish flowering, but tall phlox should only be pruned when the plant dies back in fall. Both varieties can be deadheaded as blooms fade.
Where is the best place to plant tall phlox?
Planting Choose a location that gets full to part sun, at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Tall garden phlox prefers well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy clay, you can amend it with compost or sand to improve drainage. Plant your phlox in the spring or fall, after the danger of frost has passed. Phlox may shine from late spring to the end of summer, but when cooler temperatures arrive, they start to fizzle out. We suggest cutting them back in late fall for one main reason: powdery mildew. Phlox is susceptible to powdery mildew, especially when the foliage is wet for prolonged periods.Water newly planted phlox at least once a week for a few weeks. Then water during extended dry periods or when the top couple of inches of soil dries out. Phlox prefers growing in moist but not water-logged soil.Phlox goes through a dormant period during the winter months. Watering is not necessary unless you are overwintering creeping phlox as a houseplant. Water house plant phlox only when the top couple of inches of soil become dry.Winter care for perennial phlox: After the first killing frost, cut back the stems just above above the soil line and remove and discard the foliage, especially if your plants have been affected by powdery mildew. In colder regions, protect the roots by applying a layer of mulch before the ground freezes.During the colder months or off-season, creeping phlox typically recedes and may look dry or lifeless. The presence of grayish or dry foliage can be part of its natural cycle before regrowing in the spring.
What is the best month to plant phlox?
Bare root Phlox should be planted immediately upon receiving, in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. Those gardening in warmer climates can also plant Phlox in the fall. After planting, you can expect top growth to form in a few weeks, depending on the soil and air temperatures. Garden phlox is considered a sun-loving, cool-garden perennial, but it can be grown in light shade – particularly at the hotter end of its zone tolerance. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and will dry out quickly during periods of drought.It’s so easy to plant—happy with just rain after being established! Creeping Phlox (Phlox Subulata) is just one of the sixty species of phlox native to North America.Even though it’s fast-growing, creeping phlox take about two years to reach maturity. Its rate of growth could depend on a variety of conditions during it’s planting time. Don’t give up on it though! Even if your phlox wasn’t as prosperous and vibrant after initial planting, check back with it the coming spring.Plants grow 2-5′ tall with a 1-3′ spread. CULTURAL & MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Phlox paniculata flourishes in cool sunny sites with moist rich slightly alkaline soil.Phlox can be planted in spring or fall, and should be planted immediately upon receiving. Light: Both varieties of phlox enjoy full sun, although the upright Garden phlox can take a little afternoon shade, particularly in the south.