Phlox perennial planting and care in the open field in spring

Phlox, planting and caring for which are quite simple, attract the attention of gardeners with their unique colors and violent flowering, plants are problem-free in growing, but still require adherence to technology, both perennial and annual ...

Subtleties of planting phlox

Before you start planting phlox seedlings, pay attention to 3 conditions for successful flower cultivation, without which you will not be able to achieve gorgeous flowering:

• phlox planting 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 watering;
• soil for phlox should satisfy such qualities as high fertility and friability.

Florists with many years of cultivation experience recommend planting phlox in partial shade, near spreading shrubs, so that the flowers are protected in the sultry heat. The lack of watering has a detrimental effect on the plants, but it is also not worth planting in places where water accumulates in spring.

Phlox grows best on slopes, alpine hills, where in spring the snow gradually melts and lingers. If a willow, spruce, birch or lilac grows on the site, you should not place a flower garden nearby.

phlox grown on the site - in the photo

It is good to equip a flowerbed with phloxes from the eastern and western sides of the house, but not near the northern walls and in the shade of conifers. Flowers will grow, but the splendor and size will be scarce. Thuja western, namely undersized dwarf varieties, are quite suitable for creating a harmonious flower arrangement.

We properly prepare the soil for planting phloxes - this means we take into account the following points:

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

The soil for autumn planting must be prepared 3-4 weeks before work is carried out; if phlox planting is planned in spring, it is advisable to complete all preparatory work in the fall.

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

If the soil is heavy, clayey, then coarse sand, compost, humus, fertilizers and lime (200-300 g / m2) must be added. The soil must be dug up several times to obtain a homogeneous fine lumpy structure. It is better to dilute the sandy soil with clay and sod, and also apply organic and mineral fertilizers.

The planting pit for phlox should be larger than the root system, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are placed on the bottom when planting in the fall, nitrogen fertilizers - in the spring, the roots are straightened and directed downward, covered with nutritious 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 the phlox is watered, pouring out the required amount of water, depending on the season of planting. If the planting material has a wilted appearance, soak it in any growth and root formation stimulator (Kornevin, Epin, Heteroauxin, etc.) according to the instructions.

phlox in the country - in the photo

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

Autumn planting, transplanting phloxes of early, mid-early, medium flowering periods, as well as division, is carried out from the last days of August, and the events end at the end of September. The planted phloxes should have time to get stronger and take root in a new place before the arrival of frost. Late flowering phloxes are planted from the second half of September and continue until early October, or leave the planting for the spring months.

Planting phloxes in the spring, as well as division and transplantation, occur only after the snow melts, when the soil dries up a little and it will be possible to work. Depending on the region of cultivation, the timing of planting phlox is different. So, in central Russia, in the Urals and in Siberia, the Leningrad region, it is approximately necessary to plant phlox at the end of April or in the first decade of May.

Top dressing for beautiful flowering

Due to the fact that flowers grow in one place for several years in a row, phlox fertilization is simply necessary if you want to see beautiful, healthy and lush plants. It is customary to divide the timing of top dressing into several stages:

• first feeding phlox is 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 droppings, and also add superphosphate (1/2 tablespoon) and potassium salt (15 g);
• third feeding usually occurs in early July. You can use all the mineral components listed above and organic fertilizers. The only condition in this period is the need to reduce the nitrogen dose by 1.5-2 times.

Subsequent feeding is carried out depending on the state of the plants - usually late-flowering phloxes are fed at the beginning of August, excluding nitrogen, only potassium salt (15-20 g) and phosphorus (1/2 tbsp) are added.

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

How to water phlox and how to mulch

Unfortunately, even with the right fertilization, you won't be able to get beautiful flowers if you don't water the phlox. 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 phlox is close to the soil surface, powerful roots lie at a depth of no more than 20-25 cm, so you often have to irrigate plantings. In addition, during the period of growing green mass, the appearance of buds and flowering, plants absorb more water.

phlox - planting in partial shade from an apple tree

If watering phlox is not enough, it will be possible to see that the stems grow thinner and smaller, inflorescences are poorly formed, small flowers appear. How much water does phlox need? There should be enough water so that the entire root layer is well moistened, and the roots of the plant are sufficiently nourished. As a rule, 1 sq. m. area requires 1.5-2 buckets of water.

After watering, the soil needs to be loosened, but not deeply. Many gardeners skillfully use such a wonderful tool for loosening as the Fokin flat cutter, which is easy and convenient to work with.

In order to retain moisture in the soil in a hot dry summer, phloxes need to be mulched. As mulch, they take straw, hay, cut grass, peat or humus. Particular attention should be paid to plants with a large horse system, especially in which the rhizome protrudes. It is advisable to mulch phloxes for the winter so that the root does not die in severe frosts.

Pruning phlox in the fall

Many novice gardeners are wondering whether phlox should be pruned for the winter? When it comes to perennial crops, experts recommend preparing phloxes for winter correctly and pruning.

How to prune phlox for the winter? The procedure is carried out in the fall, when the 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. The work should be completed before the onset of persistent cold weather.

For example, in the southern regions and in the Kuban, phlox pruning can be carried out a little later. Take into account the climatic characteristics of the growing region, but be sure to wait until the plant has bloomed, only then proceed with the surgical intervention.

Pruning phlox for the winter is carried out when it gets colder outside. Many growers leave small stumps (10-15 cm), some completely cut off the stem, almost level with the ground.

The experience of experienced gardeners shows that complete pruning reduces the risk of disease and the spread of infections on phlox. After cutting, it is recommended to treat the soil around it with fungicidal preparations. After a week, the space is sprinkled with wood ash, then mulched with peat chips.

Types of phlox - 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 phlox are divided into several groups:

• bush tall phlox, with a height of 90-170 cm, bloom in summer and at the beginning of 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, Phlox ovate;
• undersized phlox (25-40 cm) are creeping, bush. Flowering begins in the second decade of spring and the first summer month - Phlox divaricata, Phlox stolonifera;
• creeping plants (ascending) are located no higher than 15 cm from the soil cover and bloom already in the spring months - Phlox subulata, Phlox douglasii.

Now, dear readers, you know that phlox, planting and caring for which are not difficult, if desired, you can grow and admire the beautiful flowers in spring, all summer and until late autumn.

With proper and careful care, you can grow chic phloxes with huge caps of flowers in a flower bed. Translated from Greek, the name of the plant means "flame", it was given to flowers for their bright colors.

Phlox: types and descriptions

Phlox is a herbaceous plant from the Sinyukhov family, which includes 85 species, 40 of which are grown in ornamental gardening. Most phlox species are perennials, but annuals are also found.

Annual phlox

Drummond phlox belongs to annuals. This is a herbaceous plant up to 50 cm in height, with pubescent stems. It does not form creeping shoots, propagates by seeds.Prefers fertile, loose soil, can grow both in the sun and in partial shade, tolerates frost well, likes abundant watering.

Many varieties have been bred that differ in color, shape and size of the corolla:

• pale cream "Isabellina" and "Creme brulee";
• double pink "Strawberry with cream" and "Chanel";
• purple "SugarStars", "Blue frost";
• large-flowered "Tetra Risen" and "Grandiflora";
• star-shaped "Star Lace" and "Milky Way".

On sale there are mixtures of seeds with simple flowers - "Melange" (pink), "Fantasy" (blue), "Button Mix" (various colors). Annuals bloom very luxuriantly and for a long time.

Perennial flowers

Perennial paniculata phlox can most often be found in flower beds. The height of a bush of various varieties is from 60 cm to 1 meter. Perennial phloxes are divided into groups according to flowering time. Distinguish between early flowering, medium and late flowering plants.

The earliest varieties of phlox begin to bloom in mid-June.

Here are some of them:

• "Zhukovsky" - blooms with a blue cloud of flowers, has a peculiar pleasant smell;
• "Mishenka" - the petals are alternately colored white and pink;
• Chio-chio-san is a bright pink phlox.

Mass flowering begins in mid-July. Late phlox varieties bloom in August and September. Many varieties begin their second flowering wave in late summer.

Late phloxes include the following varieties:

• "Vladimir" - with pale pink flowers;
• "Margarita" - bright scarlet flowers;
• "Moskvichka" - dense inflorescences of pink flowers;
• "Cool Water" - one inflorescence contains white and pink flowers;
• "Hesperis" - small bright purple flowers, tall.

The flowering time is also influenced by the place of planting and the condition of the plant, so they sometimes do not correspond to the expected. There are also ground cover phloxes, for example, subulate phlox.

Phlox breeding methods

Phlox paniculata has an interesting feature, a new bush can form from any part of the plant. In addition to seeds, cuttings, layering, and parts of the rhizome are used for growing seedlings.

Growing phlox from seeds

Growing from seeds is carried out before winter. They level the earth and put marks, spread the seeds on the frozen soil, cover them with dry earth, and wait for the shoots in the spring.

You can collect the seeds yourself. When the seed pods turn brown, they are cut off so that they do not open on their own, and left for winter sowing in October or November.

If the seeds are purchased from a store, they can be planted for seedlings in plastic containers. They are sown in a universal moist soil, covered with a transparent lid, and placed in a cold place under snow or under spunbond. In the spring, the containers are opened, and after natural stratification, the seeds give amicable shoots.

Propagation by cuttings

Phlox can be propagated by stem, leaf and root cuttings. Phlox is cut in early summer, when its green part grows, but there are no flowers yet. You can also do this in spring and autumn.

For stem cuttings, the stem is cut, cut into pieces of about 15 cm. Then they are stuck into the moist soil at an angle of 45 degrees, breaking off the lower leaves. Cover with a covering material so that the soil does not dry out. You can plant cuttings in containers or directly in the open ground. Roots should appear in 2 or 3 weeks, after which young shoots will begin to grow in the leaf axils.

For rooting of leafy cuttings, the best time is the first decade of July. A leaf with an axillary bud and a thin piece of the stem is cut from the stem of the plant. The cutting is rooted in nutritious loose soil, pouring 1.5 cm of sand on top. The piece of stem and bud should be in the soil, and the leaf should be on the surface. The box with the handle is covered with foil or glass, the soil is moistened daily with a spray bottle and ventilated. Rooting should take place in about a month.

Bush dividing method

It is believed that phloxes can be divided once every 4 or 5 years.But it all depends on the type of plant and the agricultural technology of its cultivation. The rhizome can be divided when it has grown sufficiently.

The flower is dug out in early September or in April, the rhizome is divided with a clean knife or a sharp shovel, and the resulting plants are planted in their designated places. It is advisable to sprinkle the slices of the rhizome with activated carbon.

Reproduction by layering

There is nothing difficult in the reproduction of phlox by layering. The bushes are covered with fertile soil high. Roots will begin to grow on the stems in 2 weeks. When they develop well, they carefully release the layers from the ground, cut them off and plant them in the ground.

Landing in open ground

In order for the planting result to please in the near future, it is necessary to buy healthy, high-quality seedlings. In addition, it is important to plan the landing pattern and know its exact time. Cuttings of the second year of cultivation with 2 or 3 stems are considered the best for planting. They are bought from nurseries or well-known gardeners.

If you bought phlox seedlings for planting in the fall, they break off all the peduncles so that the plants take root and gain strength before winter, then powerful bushes will grow in the spring. If the planting material is in a container, it can wait with planting in open ground, seedlings with an open root system are planted immediately.

Planting time

Phlox can be planted in spring, summer and fall. The best time for spring planting is the second half of April. Phlox rooted well, but may bloom a little later than expected.

In autumn, flowers are planted in the first half of September or early October. The bushes take root and winter well in the open field. The first two weeks after planting, they must be watered once every 4 days. Before the onset of cold weather, the bushes are cut off and insulated with mulch.

In the phlox planted in summer, the peduncles are cut off, shaded from the bright sun, watered and sprayed. Can be used for summer planting "Kornevin" so that the plants take root better.

Site and soil preparation

For successful breeding and long-term flowering, the site for planting phlox must be prepared in advance. Sandy loam or loamy soil with minimal acidity is best suited for the plant. It is enriched with organic matter and mineral fertilizers, and ash is added.

Flowers have a long root system, so holes are dug to a depth of 30 cm. If there is a lot of clay in the soil, coarse sand, low peat and compost are added to it. Well-rotted compost or manure is mixed into the sandy loam soil. Mineral fertilizer is used in a complex, applying it according to the instructions on the package.

Features of planting phlox

The phlox planting depth should be about 25-30 cm. It is advisable to put a complex mineral fertilizer for flowers at the bottom of the hole, mixing it with the soil. Then plant a rooted stalk or seedling.

The distance between the bushes of low-growing varieties when planting withstands about 40 cm against each other, for medium-sized ones - up to 50 cm, for tall ones - up to 60 cm.

Outdoor phlox care

When caring for a plant, you need to take into account its natural conditions of existence and predisposition. Phloxes are native to North America. They grow on moist soils rich in organic matter.

Decorative phlox also love moisture, watering and spraying is useful for them. But the water should not stagnate at the roots; when planting flowers, sand is added to the ground to make it looser. In addition to regular watering, it is imperative to do weeding and feeding.

How to properly water phlox

Phloxes tolerate a lack of moisture painfully - they lose leaves, grow poorly. Flowers become small and wither quickly.

It is necessary to monitor the watering regime so that the plant does not experience a moisture deficit. For 1 square meter of phlox area, about 2 buckets of water are required. Watering is done in the morning or in the evening. Do not water the flowers with cold water on hot days, their stems may crack.

Phloxes love spraying water on the leaves, but if one plant is infected with a fungal disease, others can also get sick. Therefore, it is better to water at the root. To keep moisture in the soil longer, it is mulched.

Loosening the soil

If plantings with phlox are not mulched after watering, the soil must be loosened. Thanks to loosening, a dense crust does not form on the surface of the earth, which impedes the flow of air to the roots.

It is necessary to loosen the soil carefully, since the roots of the plant grow up and along the periphery, over time they turn out to be almost on the surface. During loosening, all weeds are removed that pose a threat to the health of phlox.

Top dressing and fertilization

In autumn, after frost, beds with phlox can be mulched with a thick layer of rotted compost or manure. Add ash and complex fertilizers under this layer. This is done in mid-October so that the plant begins to consume nutrients not in the fall, but in the spring, when the ground thaws.

The same procedure can be repeated before flowering. Apply ash, complex fertilizers (Ferika, Kemira) and a layer of organic matter under the phlox. In the spring, phloxes need nitrogen, which they can get from rotted manure and compost or urea.

How to prune phlox after flowering

After flowering, for the winter, cut the stems with leaves at ground level. If you leave small hemp stalks, pathogens of various diseases and harmful insects successfully overwinter on them.

Pruning is carried out around the second decade of October, when the weather is cold. After pruning, it is advisable to treat the base of the bush with a solution of any fungicide for diseases, and mulch.

Shelter for the winter

Perennial phloxes are covered in the first year of cultivation, pouring dry leaves or coniferous litter on top. Adult phloxes are unpretentious and frost-resistant, they tolerate frosts more easily, but it is also advisable to cover them with a layer of mulch. Plants grown from seeds on their own are especially hardy.

Pest and disease control

Phlox are hardy - they rarely get sick. The main reason for the poor health of flowers is the lack of nutrients in the soil. The last top dressing is applied along with mulch on the frozen ground.

If signs of fungal diseases appear, spray the leaves with any fungicide containing copper, for example, Hom.

Weakened plants are most often affected by insects. Phlox can be parasitized by aphids, nematodes, thrips and other pests. If they are detected, double spraying with "Confidor", "Aktara" or other insecticides will be effective.

Phlox in landscape design

It is advisable to select phlox for planting with different colors of flowers so that the flower garden looks beautiful. Among the variety of bright colors, there must be white flowers. They will create a special contrast in the flower bed, which will help to perceive bright crimson, red and purple flowers.

For planting flowers, you can choose partial shade, but their flowering will be better and brighter in a sunny flower bed. Phloxes are beautifully combined in a flower bed with lilies and daylilies, contrasting in color.

The first cultivated varieties of phlox graced European greenhouses and parks in the 18th century. Today phlox, planting and care in the open field, which novice summer residents can do, are one of the most popular garden perennials.

Most often, in flower beds, you can see paniculate phlox 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, the phlox is not afraid of frosts, 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 phlox, multiply and are so diverse that they make it possible to realize any ideas of a florist.

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

Thanks to the good germination of seeds, adaptability and unpretentiousness of seedlings, it is not difficult to "tame" beautiful perennial flowers. If you apply a little effort, phlox, after planting in open ground with seeds, green cuttings or parts of an adult plant, will soon delight with the first buds and long flowering.

For paniculate and undersized phlox species, areas are selected:

• 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 must be borne in mind that certain variegated varieties in the hot sun can quickly fade, losing a large share of decorativeness. It will be better if, in the hottest hours, a light shadow covers the inflorescences from the heat.

Planting phlox in open ground

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

Every 4-6 years, phloxes are planted, dividing an adult bush into parts.

This can be done in spring, summer, or closer to autumn. True, if the plants get a new place of residence at a later date, they will not have time to take root and will not overwinter. This is important to take into account when planting phlox in open ground in the Urals, Siberia and other regions where sudden frosts and early arrival of cold weather are possible.

Division and transfer rules:

1. The phlox intended for dividing is dug out, trying not to damage the numerous rhizomes up to 15-25 cm long.
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 cuttings 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 phlox. The site is dug up on a full bayonet, weeds are selected, mineral fertilizers are applied.

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 organic matter can burn the roots, therefore, only well-rotted compost and manure are used as fertilizers. When the pits are filled, the soil is moistened and fresh cuttings are planted. The growth points of phlox after planting in the ground should be at a depth of 2-3 cm. The soil is carefully compacted, watered again and mulched thickly.

They do the same when they use green cuttings for planting, cut off, when in May or early June, 15 cm long shoots appear on phloxes. The stems are cut so that a couple 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 directly into open ground. The cuttings are buried a couple of centimeters. Within 1–2 weeks, roots appear on new plants, and phlox, ready for planting and care in the open field, are transferred to a permanent place.

Outdoor phlox care after planting

Caring for perennial phloxes will not burden the summer resident. Plants need watering, maintaining the cleanliness of the soil and fertilizing, which will help the phlox grow and bloom perfectly.

After planting phlox in the spring, care for them in the open field must include weeding and loosening the soil. Otherwise, the weeds clog the seedlings, and the dense crust does not provide enough water and oxygen.

If it rains in summer, additional watering is not required. The dry months are a different matter. In this case, the bushes are watered regularly, abundantly, especially during flowering, trying not to get delicate petals. The best time to water perennial phlox is in the evening.

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

Double spraying is carried out at the beginning and middle of summer. If this does not help, the bushes will have to be cut short and copiously treated with a liquid preparation containing copper.

Before the beginning of winter, it is important to remove plant residues from under the bushes, and carefully spray the plants themselves with Bordeaux liquid or copper sulfate.

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

How to plant phlox correctly - video

On their backyards, flower growers grow many magnificent plants. A favorite of gardeners - perennial phlox, a plant with remarkable decorative properties, which has universal application in landscape design. We will find out what perennial phlox are - planting and care, photos, cultivation features - all this information is below in the article.

Description

Perennial phlox is a decorative flower with bright petals and a delightful scent. A plant native to North America. In translation, its name is translated as "flame" - due to the fact that earlier phloxes were only scarlet.

But now, thanks to breeding work, we can grow varieties of various shades: you can also find purple, pink, crimson, blue, white. Today, about 40 cultivated varieties of perennial phlox are known, which have more than a hundred different varieties.

Externally, the plant is a bush with a height of 10 centimeters to one and a half meters. It has straight, even stems and regular oval-shaped leaves.

At the end of the stem is an inflorescence, which can have up to 90 small flowers. The flower itself is tubular, always with five petals.

Growing conditions

Let's get acquainted with the requirements of perennial phloxes for their habitat in the garden.

Seat selection

Perennial phloxes will feel good, grow actively and bloom luxuriantly in a well-lit area of ​​the garden. The site should be protected from winds and drafts, as the flowers are quite thermophilic.

A good choice is a sunny bed, bounded by a fence on the north side. If phlox is a shade-loving variety, you can plant them under trees, shrubs.

Light-loving varieties (and most of them) are not recommended to be planted on the north side of the site, as this will lead to the loss of decorativeness by the plant, the appearance of small, rare flowers in it, moreover, a pale color.

It is not recommended to plant phlox in lowlands and in other areas with stagnant phenomena in the ground, with a close occurrence of groundwater. The best choice is a slight rise.

Soil requirements

The soil in a flowerbed with phlox should be loose and nutritious - these are the two main requirements of the flower for the soil. The best option is loamy soil, which has a slightly acidic or neutral reaction. If the soil is acidic, it must be calcified before planting - otherwise phlox will not grow and bloom normally.

The garden bed is usually prepared a year before phlox takes root in it. Fertilize the soil by introducing organic nutrients into it:

• wood ash;
• compost;
• manure.

If the soil has a dense, clayey structure, you can make it lighter and more loose with the help of river sand and peat.If, on the contrary, the soil is too loose, you can make it denser and more nutritious by adding sod land and compost.

Landing

Consider the main points regarding the rooting of perennial phlox in the open field.

Selection of cuttings

Since propagation by cuttings is the easiest way to reproduce phlox at home, this is the method that most gardeners use.

It is advisable to buy seedlings from professional nurseries. If purchased on the market, there is a risk of buying diseased, infected cuttings, or with inappropriate species characteristics. The root of a healthy plant should have several full-fledged buds, and at least 2-3 branches.

Boarding time

For most regions of our country, planting phlox cuttings in April-May is suitable. When choosing the exact date, it is necessary to build on the characteristics of the local climate. You can also root perennial phloxes in the open field in September - in this case, they will bloom next spring.

If you are choosing an autumn planting, do not wait until frost. It is important to plant phlox so that they have time to take root before the cold weather. Otherwise, they will freeze out.

Some gardeners also practice planting phlox perennials in the summer. However, this option is very troublesome: it will be necessary to ensure regular and thorough hydration of the seedlings. And this is not always possible for people who work and visit the dacha only on weekends.

Landing features

Planting phlox in the spring in the ground is carried out as follows: cuttings are planted in a prepared and loosened bed with a distance of 30 cm - this is what concerns low-growing varieties. High varieties must be planted at a distance of 50-60 cm from each other - they will need a lot of space.

Immediately after planting for a couple of weeks, you should water the plants abundantly so that they take root and grow faster.

Other breeding methods

In addition to cuttings, phlox can be propagated by layering, dividing the bush and seeds. Let's talk about these methods.

Layers

The method is often used in gardening, as it allows phlox to propagate in summer and autumn, and not only in spring. To obtain layering, the lateral shoot of the mother bush is bent to the ground and sprinkled with earth. Some also hold it in addition with the help of a wire.

After some time, the layer takes root, while still being connected to the mother bush. After rooting, the layering is separated and transplanted to its designated place in the garden.

By dividing the bush

The method is more complicated than the previous one, but it gives good results. Planting with rhizomes in spring is the best option, but sometimes the division procedure is carried out in early autumn (that is, before or after flowering). However, if there is a choice, gardeners recommend dividing the bush in the spring, since in this case there are more chances for the successful rooting of the delenka.

Only mature bushes are divided - strong and healthy. The bush must be at least 4-5 years old. The procedure is as follows.

1. The bush is dug out, trying to do without injuring its roots.
2. Divide the plant into approximately equal parts so that each part gets at least one full-fledged root.
3. After dividing, the pieces are immediately rooted in a permanent place in the open field.

Seeds

This method is lengthy and is therefore rarely chosen. The seeds can either be purchased at the store or collected by yourself. Seeds are sown in the fall in a container with a mixture of soil, humus and sand. The degree of penetration is 1-2 cm.

The container is left on the street, covered with fallen leaves and snow on top. Thus, throughout the winter, phlox seeds are naturally stratified. In the spring, after the snow melts, the container is brought into the room so that the hardened seeds begin to germinate.

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How to care

Consider the main features of caring for perennial phlox in the open field.

Watering

Phloxes are very fond of water. Water the plants during the growing season every 2-3 days. And if the summer is particularly hot and dry, the frequency of watering is usually increased.

Loosening

This procedure is necessary for the normal well-being of the plant. Phloxes need light permeable soil, so loosen the soil after watering.

Weeding

This is also an important procedure, especially when the flowers are still young and have not gained full strength. It is also convenient to weed a bed from weeds after watering, since the most stubborn weeds are easily obtained from wet soil.

Top dressing

Perennial phloxes need regular additional nutrition. In the spring, nitrogenous compounds are usually introduced into the ground, which help phloxes quickly gain a lush, strong green mass.

Then comes the turn of potassium and phosphorus, which help the plants bloom luxuriantly. Before the autumn frosts, phosphorus is introduced into the soil so that the flowers survive the winter safely.

Wintering

If phlox grows in the south, they do not need shelter. But already, starting from the middle lane, it is desirable to provide plants with shelter for the winter. Before the onset of cold weather, phloxes are cut almost at the root, and the root circle is mulched with straw and other organic matter. Can be used for shelter and agrofibre, burlap.

If we are talking about the north, it is better to dig up the plants with the roots and send them to winter in wooden boxes in the basement / shed. The plant may not survive too severe frosts.

Transfer

Gardeners recommend replanting perennial phlox every 6-7 years. This procedure is rejuvenating in nature and leads to the revitalization of vitality, an increase in the splendor of flowering. But if the conditions are very favorable, and the care is competent and thorough, phloxes can "sit" in one place for 10 years.

Diseases

Perennial phloxes can be affected by almost all diseases inherent in other flowering plants. We list the most common types of pathologies.

Fomoz

Signs of this disease are yellowing and curling of foliage, browning and cracking of the stems. To get rid of the misfortune, the bushes are sprayed with Bordeaux liquid four times with an interval of 10 days.

Powdery mildew

A characteristic feature of this common fungal disease is white bloom on foliage. To cope with powdery mildew, you need to use either Bordeaux liquid or other suitable preparations.

And for the purpose of prophylaxis in the spring, it is recommended to spray the shoots with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Spotting

A sign of this disease is yellow and brown spots on the leaves of phlox. They treat the disease, like many others, by spraying with Bordeaux liquid (1%).

We learned how to grow perennial phlox outdoors. The plant needs careful care and the choice of the optimal planting site - in this case, phloxes will delight you with bright, abundant flowering for a long time.