The flame flower should not be missing in any cottage garden. Here you will learn everything from planting to caring for and propagating phlox in your own garden.
The beauty of the Phlox (Phlox) is its wonderful summery scent. It not only inspires us, but also attracts numerous butterflies.
Phlox
Phlox is an asset to any garden. With the decision for the phlox, you are not only doing something good for your eyes, numerous insects will also thank you, because phlox is an excellent flower. It not only flowers a lot, but also for a long time.
Phlox: origin and characteristics
Phlox belongs to the so-called ladder plants (Polemoniaceae) and is also called flame flower. The phlox itself is just as beautiful as its name sounds. The plant originally comes from North America, Asia and parts of Russia. There it grows in different climatic zones, which is why many different species of phlox have developed. And quite a few of these have long since made it into our gardens. The plants come in all shapes and sizes: large or small, elongated or creeping on the ground. What they all have in common is that they are herbaceous and attract attention with their characteristic flowers. Most phloxes are perennials and easily survive cold winters.
Phlox species and varieties
The phlox has over 70 species. And since it came to Europe as an ornamental plant in the 18th century, countless varieties have been bred. So today the selection of the most diverse Phlox species and varieties is extremely large. Many of the species bloom throughout the summer in shades of white, red, pink and purple.
Phlox paniculata
The tall perennial phlox is probably the best known of the countless phlox species. It comes from North America and reaches a height of up to 1.5 meters. This makes it a popular companion in many a perennial border or cottage garden. He likes it humid and sunny.
Learn more hereto the summer perennial Phlox paniculata.
Phlox subulata
The carpet phlox can hardly be compared with the tall perennial phlox, which is considered the epitome of the phlox. Carpet phlox, as the name suggests, tends to grow in width rather than height. He loves walls and crevices in the sun.
Phlox drummondii
The summer phlox is an annual species of phlox. The plant is widespread as a wild plant in Texas and is often used as an ornamental plant in this country. It only reaches a height of up to 50 centimeters.
Phlox amplifolia
The large-leaved phlox is quite similar to the tall perennial phlox. It also grows up to 1.5 meters high. The most important distinguishing feature is its significantly larger leaves. In addition, it is less susceptible to drought, diseases and pests. It is therefore always suitable where the tall perennial phlox does not want to thrive.
Phlox stolonifera
The so-called wandering phlox is also a good ground cover for shady areas. But don't worry - it doesn't spread unchecked, but can easily be put in its place. It blooms in spring and early summer, so it feels good under deciduous trees, for example. There is still enough light in the early part of the year. The wandering phlox also likes to grow along shady walls.
Phlox divaricate
As expected, the forest phlox can also cope with low light. It blooms in early spring and feels at home, for example, between later tall perennial plants. The forest phlox also gets along well at the edge of the forest and under deciduous trees and bushes.
Phlox douglasii
The cushion phlox is the right type of phlox for the rock or roof garden, because it loves the sun. The plant grows cushion-like over everything that gets in its way and only gets about 5 centimeters high. It flowers in May and June in various shades of purple.
You can find out the most important information about the small Phlox douglasii here.
Buy Phlox: You should pay attention to this
Phlox comes in many different varieties. Before buying, you should therefore consider which phlox species to go withselected location best suits. If it is a sunny place, the high perennial phlox, the cushion phlox or the summer phlox are all suitable. However, unlike the others, the latter is an annual and must be sown anew every year. Forest phlox and wandering phlox are suitable for shady places. Otherwise, of course, the color is crucial. Some strains even have eyes in the center of the flower that contrast with the rest of the flower color. However, consider not only the location requirements and the flower color, but also the flowering time. Early flowering species are woodland and wandering phlox. Sun-loving species usually flower a little later and therefore longer.
Tip: Since phlox is quite susceptible to powdery mildew, you should watch out for white and greyish deposits so that you don't introduce the fungus into your garden when you buy it.
The most important criteria when buying Phlox:
- Location Claims
- Flower Color
- Flower time
- Check for powdery mildew
Phlox is often sold at markets and should always be found in nurseries. There is a wide range online, for example in the Gaissmayer web shop or at the Gräfin von Zeppelin nursery.
Plant Phlox
Planting phlox is not complicated, but there are a few things to consider. While some phlox species prefer a sunny location, others like the shade. Plant phlox rather free-standing so that no mildew can develop and take breaks in cultivation.
You can find out everything else that is important for planting phlox here.
Propagate Phlox
Flameflowers can be propagated in three ways: either directly from cuttings or by division. If you leave withered inflorescences, then propagation via seeds is almost guaranteed.
Find out here what you should consider when propagating phlox and how best to proceed.
Care for Phlox
Phlox is easy to care for and uncomplicated. However, to get it to bloom, you should support it.
Here we show you how to take care of your phlox so that it thrives.
Water Phlox
The water requirement varies greatly depending on the species. Usually not much watering is required except before and during flowering. However, keep in mind that species suitable for rock gardens are usuallyhave a lower water requirement, but also colonize a much drier location.
Fertilize Phlox
A starter dose of a long-term fertilizer like our Plantura organic flower fertilizer gives the phlox a boost and optimally supplies it with nutrients. Alternatively, you can also add compost or manure to the planting hole as fertilizer. In order to really stimulate flowering, you can give a portion of fertilizer just before flowering.
Pruning Phlox
Phlox does not require pruning in principle, pruning is mainly used to rejuvenate wintergreen species. Removing wilted bud sites after flowering offers the benefit of preventing the plant from self-seeding. If you don't mind an increase in phlox, you can safely leave the inflorescences and enjoy even more phlox next year. Otherwise, in the case of deciduous phloxes, the dried shoots need to be cut in autumn.
You can read here what you need to consider when pruning phlox.
Hibernate Phlox
Phlox is basically hardy and doesn't need any special attention before winter. In many species, the above-ground parts of the plant die off during the cold season, but sprout again in spring.
Tip: Leave dead shoots in place until new shoots appear in spring, so insects such as wild bees will find a place to hibernate.
Frequent diseases and pests of phlox
To prevent infestation with diseases and pests, you should use fertilizers with a low percentage of nitrogen. While nitrogen is essential for plant growth, excess nitrogen makes plants more susceptible.
Against powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) basically only helps in a bright and well-ventilated location, because powdery mildew likes it moist. The fungus is easy to recognize as it covers the leaves and stems as a white-grey coating. The large-leaved phlox is more resistant than the tall perennial phlox.
A second group of mushrooms is also not averse to the phlox. These fungi from the group of Ascochyta and Septoria lead to the so-called leaf spot disease. As the name suggests, this leads to unsightly dark spots and dots on the leaves, which later lead to leaf fall. As with powdery mildew, a common cause is excess humidity. So it is also helpful to have aairy location. However, do not water the plants from above to avoid wet or damp leaves. In the event of an infestation, you should definitely cut back all infested plants and burn the green waste or dispose of it in the household waste.
The third major phlox pests are the stem nematodes (Ditylenchus dipsaci). The longer the plant grows in the same place, the more pests such as stem nematodes multiply. They rob the plant of strength and energy and lead to stunted leaves and shoots. It only helps to temporarily change the location. It is best here to replace affected plants by propagation by cuttings.
You can find out how cuttings propagation works and other methods for propagating phlox here.