Panicled phloxes are deservedly popular among gardeners. Their unpretentiousness in care and long flowering will not leave anyone indifferent. Therefore, every year selection gives more and more interesting varieties of this plant. And one of them is the “strawberry souffle” phlox, the combination of shades of which evokes the thought of a refined airy dessert. This type of flower is suitable for both cutting and creating unusual group plantings in the flowerbed.
Photo and description of phlox "strawberry souffle"
This variety belongs to the group of perennial panicled phlox. It is characterized by a tall bush, whose height reaches 110 cm. The shoots are strong, numbing at the base.
Oval-lanceolate leaves on the stem are opposite. The flowers are distinguished by a saturated salmon-pink color with strawberry tint and a purple eye in the center, the shade does not fade in the sun. Their diameter reaches 3.5 cm. The shape of the flowers is tubular-funnel-shaped with five petals. They are tightly collected in inflorescences, thereby forming a lush, bright panicle.
Since the phlox "strawberry souffle" is a perennial plant, it develops a powerful root system - up to 30 cm in depth. This feature allows the plant to withstand frosts up to 29 degrees without any shelter.
The flowering period lasts from late July to mid-September, but depending on the region of the country, it may shift slightly.
Site Selection and Application
Phlox "strawberry souffle" prefers to grow on loamy soils with low acidity. The planting area should be well lit, but light partial shade is allowed. It is not recommended to plant the plant on heavy clay soils, as this negatively affects the development of the bush and flowering.
The landing site must be protected from strong gusts of wind. You can not plant phlox near shrubs and trees with a surface root system (lilac, spruce, thuja), since stronger plants will take all nutrients from the soil.
When planting several plants in a row, the distance between them should be 30 cm. According to the description, the phlox “strawberry souffle” is ideal for creating group plantings on a flower bed. In this case, it is necessary to select other varieties or plants of the same height and with an identical flowering period. Single landing panicle phlox against a bright green lawn also looks spectacular.
Secrets of agricultural technology
The main condition for the successful cultivation of panicle phlox “strawberry souffle” is timely watering and fertilizing. This herbaceous plant does not tolerate drying out of roots, therefore it is recommended to monitor the soil moisture throughout the season and irrigate it in the absence of seasonal rainfall. At the same time, watering should not be plentiful, but it is better to introduce water in small volumes, but more often.
A lack of moisture leads to a loss of decorative bush. The lower leaves turn brown, and the inflorescences become more friable and scarce.
This task can be facilitated by mulching the topsoil with peat. This will help protect the root component from overheating and reduce moisture evaporation in a particularly hot season. Water for irrigation must be taken up-time, while its temperature should be 18-20 degrees.
It is also important to timely feed. During the period of active vegetation, it is recommended to use humus, which will increase the green mass. During the formation of the buds, it is recommended to use a hood based on wood ash. To prepare it, it is necessary to dissolve 100 g of the substance in 1 liter of hot water, insist 24 hours, and then bring the total volume of liquid to 10 liters. Watering with the obtained product is necessary at the rate of 1 liter per each bush. This will allow the plant to form dense panicle inflorescences, as well as give brightness and saturation to the shades of flowers.
Diseases and Pests
Panicled phlox "strawberry souffle", like other types of culture, is susceptible to powdery mildew and microspore nematodes.
In the first case, it is necessary to fight the disease with the help of fungicides such as Topaz, Skor, Fitosporin. Processing should be done in advance, without waiting for the appearance of white plaque. Drugs are recommended to be used in accordance with the attached instructions.
If the nematode is affected, which can be recognized by deformed shoots, the bush should be dug up and disposed of. In this case, it will not be possible to save the plant.
Breeding
As can be seen in the above photo, the phlox "strawberry souffle" can be propagated by dividing the bush. The procedure should be carried out in spring or autumn. In this case, the rhizome must be divided into 2-3 parts, which will have a sufficient number of developed lateral roots.
Also, this type of panicled phlox can be propagated by stem cuttings. At the same time, 2 leaf nodes and well-developed leaves should form on each of them. Cuttings should initially be placed in a mini-greenhouse, and after rooting (in July - August) transplanted into the soil at a distance of 15 cm. This type of propagation should be used in late spring - early summer. Until the plant gets stronger, it should be covered for the winter. For shelter it is necessary to use peat, coniferous spruce branches.
Phlox "strawberry souffle," according to gardeners, is an exquisite plant variety that helps create unusual bright corners in the garden and flower beds.