In order for your garden plot to have a special and unique look, it should be decorated with flowers that can grow in a small front garden, flower beds or in equipped beds.
Therefore, many gardeners grow on their sites a variety of flowers: variegated and colorful asters, peonies, dahlias, daisies, chrysanthemums and, of course, phlox.
Growing phlox attracts many gardeners. And this is understandable, since these flowers do not require special care, they have a long flowering period, and their diverse color can have the most incredible shades.
Phlox. General description.
The genus of these wonderful flowers belongs to the Sinyukhov family, which is represented by 51 species of annual and perennial plants. Homeland phlox is considered North America. The unusual name of the flower, translated from Greek, means the word "flame". This name was given to phlox by the famous scientist Karl Linney, because of the fiery red color that is present in wild phlox.
Growing phlox is so popular that today more than 1501 varieties of these fragrant and lovely flowers are bred. Phlox is represented by erect and bush species, which reach a height of 35 to 185 centimeters.
Depending on the season, the flowering period of phlox is spring, summer, and summer-autumn. Therefore, phlox bushes can be of different sizes, and with different flowering periods. Thanks to these flowers, you can create beautiful compositions on your garden plot that will delight you both in spring and autumn.
Planting and growing phlox
In order for the growth of phlox to be the most successful for you, they should be planted in a penumbra and bright place that is protected from the wind. The soil for these flowers should be loose, fertile and sufficiently moistened.
For spring planting of phloxes, the soil should be prepared in the fall. To do this, dig out the landing pits 30 cm deep, then add superphosphate, compost and wood ash to the ground. If the soil has high acidity, then a handful of lime should be put in the planting hole. For clay soil, be sure to add sand and organic fertilizer, such as peat or manure.
Most types of phloxes are moisture-loving plants, however, in a waterlogged area or a site where groundwater is standing, reproduction of phlox is not possible.
Phlox. Propagation of flowers.
Phloxes are transplanted and propagated in different ways. In the next section, we describe the most popular ones.
A transplant of these flowers is best done every 5-6 years. But if the soil of flowers contains enough nutrients, then they can grow up to 10 years in one place.
The best time for a transplant is considered to be mid-April and early May. Autumn planting should be completed in mid-August. To accelerate the growth of flowers, it is necessary to first cut off their aerial part, so that the height of the stems does not exceed 25 centimeters. After planting, plants should be provided with sufficient watering.
The next way to reproduce phlox is the vegetative method. Here there is a division of bushes, stem cuttings, and so on. This method allows you to save varietal differences in colors, which cannot be achieved if seed propagation is carried out. The division of the bushes is made in early spring and autumn after the cessation of flower growth. Propagation of flowers by cuttings can be made in late May or early June.
Phlox Care
Flower care includes loosening and weeding the soil from weeds, which must be carried out 6 times during the flowering period of the plant. In addition, phlox needs to be fed with complex organic and mineral fertilizers. The first feeding is carried out in mid-May, and the second in early June. In July, you can feed the plants with fertilizers that do not contain nitrogen substances.
Remember that the proper cultivation of phlox, and the care of plants during their growth can save them from many diseases and harmful insects. As a result of proper cultivation and careful care, phlox will become a real decoration of your garden and will give you many pleasant and positive emotions.