What are the medicinal uses of phlox?
Culinary or Medicinal Uses The tea made from dried Phlox leaves is thought to purify blood and to treat skin conditions such as boils or eczema. After steeping the roots in boiling water, the cooled water is sometimes used as an eyewash or even to treat venereal diseases (2). However, native Americans did use perennial Phlox flowers for medicinal purposes. One of the more popular medicinal uses were as a laxative and for treating other digestive disorders. It has also been used topically to treat skin problems, even severe ones such as boils.
Is Phlox divaricata fragrant?
Phlox divaricata are mildly fragrant, carefree natives for part shade. Foliage forms a creeping mat of loosely entwined stems with semi-evergreen oblong leaves. Companion Plants for Phlox Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are drawn to the nectar-rich flowers of both plants, adding lively activity to your garden. Daylilies (Hemerocallis): Daylilies and phlox make a dynamic duo, with their vibrant blooms creating a riot of colors.Phlox is a Native Plant that Attracts Native Pollinators They are therefore acclimated to grow throughout the season with a tough hardiness, a multitude of blooms, and a dependable nature that allows the plants to thrive and flower for many years.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.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.Pollinators and wildlife: The fragrant, tubular flowers of garden phlox are attractive to butterflies, songbirds, hummingbirds, and moths. Garden phlox acts as a host to a number of butterfly and moth larvae.
What do phlox divaricata need?
CULTURAL & MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Phlox divaricata flourishes in bright shade with moist rich well drained soil. Plants tolerate clay loam, sand, acid or alkaline pH, heat, drought, part sun and dry shade. Plants are fairly pest resistant but need good air circulation to prevent issues with powdery mildew. Plant phlox either in the spring after the danger of frost, or in the fall, at least one month before the first fall frost, allowing time for roots to get established. Choose a site with full sun and moist, well-drained 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.After the stems of large species of phlox have completely withered in late autumn, they can be cut back. However, it is better to leave them over the winter and only cut them in the spring just before new shoots appear.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.
What is the common name for phlox divaricata?
Phlox divaricata, commonly called woodland phlox, is a spreading, native wildflower which forms mats of foliage with stems typically reaching 12-15 tall. 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.While creeping phlox was relatively easy to grow, we found most of the woodland phlox cultivars much more difficult. One explanation for the challenges experienced with several cultivars is that the initial plants were not in the healthiest condition at planting.Phlox will reseed itself so there need never be a year without these lovely flowers. Deadheading phlox blooms will prevent much of that reseeding. Removing phlox flowers that are spent has this benefit and a few others as well. Some gardeners deadhead phlox flowers to confine the spread of the plant.Creeping phlox species include cushion phlox (Phlox douglasii) and carpet phlox (Phlox subulata). These can be pruned directly after flowering in early summer. This way, wintergreen phlox species get a fresh start. With a little luck you can subsequently even enjoy a second flowering.Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) Native to North America, this hardy ground cover is a favorite among gardeners because it can choke out weeds while providing an enchanting burst of spring color.