Many gardeners like to decorate their summer cottages with unusual flowers. Some prescribe hybrid seeds and bulbs for themselves, others change with their neighbors the copies they like. Recently, at dachas, phloxes can be increasingly seen. At the same time, they have all kinds of colors and shades and for a long time delight the eye with their flowering.
general information
Phlox is a perennial herb that looks like a small bush. It is suitable for decorating the site and creating a colorful flowerbed, used as a separate plantation. Phlox is distinguished by a thin, strong stem, the height of which can reach 100-130 cm. But there are also undersized representatives that form a dense bush and look like a blooming ball. Such phloxes grow to a maximum of 50 cm.
Oval oblong leaves with a pronounced central vein are densely located on the branches. They are painted in dark green or emerald color. Flowers are collected in large inflorescences, their size and color depends on the plant variety.
Phlox “Sherbet cocktail”
Breeders involved in the creation of new varieties of flowers every year presented unusual hybrids. They can stand out in shape, color or unusual leaves. Phlox "Sherbet cocktail" refers to such innovations. The color of the flowers makes it original, in which for the first time in the history of this species a yellow color appeared.
The bush of this variety is characterized by medium height. Its branches extend 70 cm. The leaves are oblong, densely fill the stems in the upper part. Medium sized flowers: up to 2.5 cm in diameter. They have 5 petals, painted in pink with a bright "sunny" border. The flowers are collected in a dense inflorescence and resemble hydrangea in appearance. Before blooming, the bud is completely yellow in color and contrasts with burgundy bracts.
Landing and care
They require a special approach. To plant a plant called phlox “Sherbet cocktail”, you need to choose a place where the flower will be slightly covered from the sun and completely protected from wind and drafts. With prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, the flowers burn out and lose their decorative effect. The soil should be loose, fertilized and well drained.
Phlox “Sherbet cocktail” is an unpretentious variety, but still it needs timely watering, especially in the dry period of the summer months. It is also necessary to loosen the soil regularly so that air freely penetrates the root system. The plant is well fed. Therefore, it is periodically necessary to introduce organic and mineral fertilizers under the root.
Breeding
Planting is carried out in mid-April or early May, depending on weather conditions. To choose the right variety, for example, phlox “Sherbet cocktail”, a photo and description of the plant must be found on the Internet. So you will not make a mistake when buying seeds in the store: the presence of numerous packages with bright similar colors can confuse even an experienced gardener.
Phlox propagates with the help of green cuttings, seeds and dividing the bush. Cuttings are carried out in late June before flowering. Green stems are cut so that after planting in the soil at least 1 knot is preserved on the surface. Cuttings are buried in the prepared fertile soil by 3 cm, after which they are watered. The rooting site should be in partial shade, as seedlings can burn out in the sun. With regular care and sufficient watering, roots form after 30 days.
The simplest methods include reproduction by dividing the bush. This process is usually carried out in the spring. The plant is completely removed from the ground, carefully so as not to damage the roots, and is divided into the required number of parts. Each new bush must have at least 3 shoots.
Among the variety of flowers, many gardeners especially distinguish the phlox "Sherbet cocktail." Reviews about this plant are only positive and make it additional advertising. All lovers of phlox certainly want to get a unique variety with an unusual yellow color of flowers.