Amateur gardeners know many varieties of phlox: awl-shaped, paniculate, Drummond, Canadian. Under natural conditions, they can be found in moist meadows and forest edges - where there is fertile loose soil. In order for the plant to feel comfortable, it needs competent care. That is why many gardeners who want to decorate their front gardens with this amazing flower, care about when to plant phlox. In this article you will find the answer to this and some other questions.
When to plant phlox?
The most favorable for these purposes are the spring months. However, the answer to the question of when it is better to plant phloxes can not be unequivocal. They can also be placed in open ground in summer and even in autumn. Spring planting is most favorable for the plant for the reason that during this period it takes root much better. In autumn, this procedure is recommended in the first half of September. This will allow the plant to grow stronger and take root before the onset of cold weather. In summer, the most favorable time is considered the beginning of June.
How to plant a plant?
Having dealt with the question of when to plant phloxes, we will consider how to properly perform this procedure. The prepared bed should be well watered so that the earth is saturated with moisture 20 centimeters deep.
Perennials are recommended to be planted in cloudy weather or in the evening when there is no scorching sun. Tall plants must be placed at a distance of 50 centimeters from each other, undersized - 40 cm. If necessary, the roots of the flower can be shortened by 1/3 secateurs. Their length should be about 10 cm. In adult bushes, cut the stems in half, and then dig up the plant itself. Excess earth needs to be removed, and the rhizome should be divided by hand into several parts. As a rule, vegetative buds are formed at the base of the stem, which subsequently will give life to new shoots. Without them, the root of the plant dies. Each young bush must have at least eight buds. When dividing, it is necessary to remove the old parts of the root system and immediately place the deletions in new wells. Vegetative buds should be sprinkled with earth about five centimeters. Then phlox needs to be properly watered. In the first two weeks, irrigation should be done every day, periodically loosening the earth and mulching it with peat. If, having decided on the question of when to plant phlox, you chose autumn, then for the winter you need to cover the plant with chopped straw or small shavings. In May, flowers are recommended to be fed with any nitrogen fertilizer.
The plant feels most comfortable in well-lit places. However, in some flowers, the petals may fade in the sun. The best option will be the area where there will be a slight shadow from the bushes. At the same time, it must be closed from the wind so that the plant tolerates wintering well. The north side of the house for planting flowers is not recommended. Before choosing a place to place phloxes, think about what plants they will be in the neighborhood and how it will visually look.