Growing hardy phlox in kentucky

Dennis Morgeson Agent for Horticulture Washington County

Phlox is a genus of 67 species of perennial and annual plants in the family Plemoniaceae Native to North America, only ones species is native outside of North America‌in Siberia!

Native habitats include alpine tundra to woodlands to open prairie Flowering times vary from spring to fall

Phlox flower in many colors including blue, pink, red, white etc. with many being very fragrant A fertilized flower will typically produce one large seed Phlox paniculata known as garden phlox is upright while others such as Phlox subulata (creeping phlox) grow short and matlike.

Foliage of phlox is food to many animals such as rabbits, deer, and groundhogs (you may need to take precautions here) Flowers are a great source of nectar for pollinators and attract butterflies such as the swallowtail

Phlox paniculata one of the most prominent perennial plants in gardens from the turn of the century until the 1940’s There are over 800 named cultivars currently on record Many old varieties have disappeared because phlox were viewed as old fashioned or quant after World War Two. Today new interest in phlox is producing sturdier varieties with more mildew resistance and even variegated foliage

Phlox make great perennial garden plants Long lived Long blooming Often Fragrant Easy to care for Come in many colors Come in many sizes

Most phlox prefer full sun, with 6 hours being considered full sun We will talk individual species requirements later Southern climates late afternoon shade is appreciated

Phlox aren’t fussy in terms of soil but do prefer a rich, moist, area with a lot of organic matter Prefer a soil pH near neutral (7.0) Phlox especially tall phlox will not tolerate very dry sites Creeping phlox prefer to remain undisturbed for years, other varieties will need rejuvenating after a few years

Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 612, inches removing any debris, and lightly raking as level as possible.

The addition of organic matter (leaf mold, compost, wellrotted manure) benefits all gardens and is essential in recently constructed neighborhoods.

Dig a hole deep and wide enough to accommodate the bare root.

Set the plant such that the crown is at or just slightly below the ground level. Allow roots to fan out from the crown at around a 45 degree angle. Roots should spread out separately, like stretched fingers, from the crown, and not bunch up. It may be helpful to build a coneshaped mound of soil in the bottom of the hole and spread the roots around it. It is important to set the roots such that the crown is roughly level with the ground.

Cover the roots with soil and tamp down firmly to get rid of air pockets. Fill the soil to just below the crown, where the top growth and leaves will emerge.

Make sure all the roots under the crown are in good contact with the soil.

Water well to fully saturate the roots and soil.

Wait until new growth starts to appear before applying a layer of mulch.

Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 612, inches removing any debris, and lightly raking as level as possible.

The addition of organic matter (leaf mold, compost, wellrotted manure) benefits all gardens and is essential in recently constructed neighborhoods.

Plant on a cloudy day or in late afternoon to reduce transplant shock.

Dig a hole for each plant large enough to amply accommodate the root ball.

Unpot the plant and gently loosen the root ball with your hands to encourage good root growth.

Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Press soil down firmly with your hand.

Use the plant tag as a location marker.

Thoroughly water and apply a light mulch layer on top of the soil (1-2 inches) to conserve water and reduce weeds.

•Keep weeds under control, they compete for space, nutrients, and water.

•Phlox love mulch, it keeps the soil evenly moist, reduces weed pressure, and breaks down over time to increase organic matter in the soil

Careful watering is essential in getting perennials off to a good start. Water thoroughly at least once a week to help new roots grow down deeply. Soil should be damp at about 1 inch below the soil surface. You can check this by sticking your finger in the soil. Water early in the morning to give all leaves enough time to dry.

One inch of rain or watering per week is recommended for most perennial plants.

You can check to see if you need to add water by using a rain gauge.

Until plants become established, some protection from extreme winds and direct, hot sunlight may be necessary.

Good air movement is also important.

After new growth appears, a light fertilizer may be applied. Keep granular fertilizers away from the plant crown and foliage to avoid burn injury. Use low rates of a slow release fertilizer such as Garden-tone, as higher rates may encourage root rots. “Deadhead�, remove spent flower heads to encourage continuous flowering and prevent seed development.

“Deadhead�, remove spent flower heads to encourage continuous flowering and prevent seed development.

Remove and discard foliage after a hard frost in fall.

In colder regions, apply another layer of mulch (1-2 inches) after the ground freezes in fall. Evergreen boughs (from Christmas trees) provide additional protection.

Remove this mulch in the spring.

Some varieties may need staking; stake entire plant up to the flowers.

To control height, delay bloom and increase the number of blooms, pinch plants back by ½ of their height in late spring/early summer.

Many gardeners do not cut back perennials in the fall, but wait until early spring before the new foliage appears. This provides winter interest and wildlife habitat.

Avoid overhead watering and divide clumps before plants get overly crowded.

Plants are intolerant of dry spells.

Harvest phlox flowers when 1/3-1/2 of the flowers in the panicles are open.

No matter how good of soil you have most garden phlox will need dividing and resetting every 4 to 5 years If no divisions or rejuvenating is done the planting will decline slowly over several years Plants should be dug up and split and replanted in early spring or late fall (not creeping phlox) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlzzJ0bsz Y0

There are other propagation methods however none easier than divisions Phlox can also be propagated by root cuttings in late summer or stem cuttings in mid summer You must be careful to avoid fungal pathogens with these methods Grow lights are great for this method as it won’t heat up the cuttings too much like the sun would

1) Select a blooming stem with 3-5 sets of leaves.

2) Remove the flower neatly.

3) Remove all the leaves except for the top one (leaving one set is best)or two sets with a very sharp knife so that your cuts will be clean and precise. The less sets that you leave, the less moisture will be lost.

4) Say that you now have a stem with a set of leaves at the top and three denuded 'nodes' where leaves have been removed.

Go to the node above the bottom one and make a clean cut in one move just below the node. *The top of the plant cutting is to the right.

5) Take a small pot and fill it with a mix of sand and compost.

You can dip the cuttings into growing hormone powder if you want, but it is not really necessary with Phlox.

Then push the bare stem down into the soil alongside the side of the pot.

You can place 4-5 cuttings into such a pot.

6) Next, you thrust three sticks into the outer edge os the soil in between your cuttings. I have placed three short bamboo lengths, as you can see.

7) Water the soil in thoroughly and cover with a clear plastic bag...poke a few holes in the bag for air/heat exchange

8) Set your cuttings in a light place, but not in direct sunlight and wait. You should have roots within six weeks or so if all goes well. It is often advised to place them on something warm--like a propagator or a heating pad--something to give a low degree of warmth as this stimulates root-forming.

9) These can then be potted-on into their own pot--one cutting per pot and set away for the winter. Give them a tiny bit of water every now and then to keep the roots from drying out completely. Next spring after all chance of frost, plant them in the bed where they will remain.

Phlox can be started by seed fairly easily however colors are limited Self sown seedlings will pop up if you don’t deadhead many of which are very vigorous and most revert to magenta in color If seedlings are allowed to grow they will eventually smother out the mother plant However……there is a chance the seedling may be a unique and worthy of leaving…..maybe good enough to be in production!!!

The only major problem of phlox!

Mildew isn’t fatal but defoliate the plants from the bottom up making them unsightly and reduces bloom life Powdery mildew has a wide range of plants it lives on….exclusion isn’t possible

Plant resistant cultivars‌.there are many new varieties on the market today that have much more resistance than older varieties Give plants room so they dry out faster Fungicide program beginning as soon as any sign of mildew starts‌.or before if using a protectant fungicide

Myclobutanil Sulfur1

Propiconazole

Thiophanate-methyl Chlorothalonil

Spectracide Immunox Multi-Purpose Fungicide Concentrate Safer Brand Garden Fungicide Concentrate; & RTU Hi-Yield Wettable Dusting Sulfur Southern Ag Wettable or Dusting Sulfur Bonide Sulfur Plant Fungicide Lilly Miller Sulfur Dust (also wettable for spray) Ferti-lome Liquid Systemic Fungicide II Concentrate; & RTS Bonide Infuse Concentrate; & RTS Bonide Fungo-nil Lawn & Garden Disease Control RTS Banner Maxx Fungicide Monterey Fungi-Fighter Fungicide Concentrate Cleary’s 3336-WP Turf & Ornamental Fungicide Southern Ag Thiomyl Systemic Fungicide Ortho Max Garden Disease Control Ortho Disease B Gon Garden Fungicide Garden Tech Daconil Fungicide Concentrate Hi-Yield Vegetable, Flower, Fruit & Ornamental Fungicide Southern Ag Liquid Ornamental & Vegetable Fungicide Tiger Brand Daconil Ferti-lome Broad Spectrum Landscape & Garden Fungicide Conc.

Monterey Fruit Tree, Vegetable & Ornamental Fungicide Conc.

Horticultural Oil2

Ferti-lome Horticultural Oil Spray Concentrate Lilly Miller Superior Type Spray Oil Concentrate Monterey Horticultural Oil Concentrate Southern Ag ParaFine Horticultural Oil Bonide All Seasons Spray Oil Concentrate

Neem Oil Extract

Southern Ag Triple Action Neem Oil Concentrate Ferti-lome Rose Flower & Vegetable Spray Concentrate Green Light Neem Concentrate Garden Safe Fungicide 3 Concentrate Safer Brand Concern Garden Defense MultiPurpose Spray Conc.

Bonide Liquid Copper Concentrate Camelot Fungicide/ Bactericide Concentrate Monterey Liqui-Cop Fungicide Concentrate Natural Guard Copper Soap Fungicide Concentrate; & RTU Southern Ag Liquid Copper Fungicide

Copper-based Fungicides

Tebuconazole Potassium Bicarbonate

Bacillus subtilis

Bayer Advanced Disease Control for Roses, Flowers & Shrubs Conc.

Bonide Remedy

AgraQuest Serenade Garden Disease Control Concentrate

Insect problems are hit or miss and rarely a huge problem‌.however you could have a periodic problem with the following: Phlox Plant Bugs Spider mites Japanese beetles Thrips Aphids Leafhoppers (spreads curly top virus and aster yellows)

This sturdy, upright perennial reaches 2 to 4 feet tall. In July and August, and through September with deadheading, it bears flowers in shades of white, coral, pink, red, lavender, and violet, depending on the cultivar. Some have a lighter or darker eye, and others have variegated leaves. Many of the cultivars are fragrant; scent is most noticeable at night.

Intensia® Blueberry Phlox hybrid 10-12” tall

Phlox paniculata Red Riding Hood 20” tall

'Shockwave' Tall Garden Phlox Phlox paniculata 12-18” tall

Flame White 18-24” tall

Crème de la Crème Phlox 30-36 inches tall

Salmon Beauty 48” tall

Marsh Phlox (Phlox glaberrima) is a native of wet prairies and open woodlands. Hummingbirds love the intense hue of the deep red-purple flowers that bloom for weeks on end! A great garden plant, it thrives in any medium to moist rich soil. Excellent for damp clay.

Phlox glaberrima 'Morris Berd‘’12-24” tall

Phlox glaberrima ssp. triflora 'Triple Play' 12-16” tall

Phlox glaberrima interior 20-30” tall

This upright, herbaceous perennial has slender, hairy stems reaching 1.5 to 3 feet tall, with clusters of lavender-rose, lilac-pink, or white flowers. The stems often have burgundy spots on them. Blooms appear in early summer and midsummer.

Phlox maculata ‘Natascha’ 20” tall

PHLOX MACULATA 'FLOWER POWER’ 36”-40” tall

A mounded perennial, downy phlox grows 1-2 ft. tall and bears clusters of fragrant, pale pink to lavender flowers. The petals of the showy flowers are joined at their bases into an elongate tube. Stems and narrow, paired leaves are covered with soft hairs.

Phlox pilosa 'Slim Jim‘ 8-20” tall

PHLOX PILOSA 'BUNGALOW BLUE‘ 15-18” tall

A dense, vigorous, matforming ground cover, creeping phlox has short flower stems from 3 to 12 inches tall.

The flowers can be pale lavender-blue, rosepink, medium violet, or white, with unnotched petals and a yellow center.

Phlox stolonifera Sherwood Purple 12” tall

Phlox stolonifera Home Fires 12” tall

In spring, creeping phlox plants produce small flowers in dense clusters. If massed together as agroundcover, creeping phlox plants make a powerful landscaping statement. The colors available are red, white, blue, pink, rose, lavender, purple or variegated. Creeping phlox plants reach 6" in height and spread out 2'.

Scarlet Flame Creeping Phlox 4-6” tall

Fort Hills Creeping Phlox 4-6” tall

Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe‘ 4-6”

Phlox maculata ‘Flower Power’ take 1 36-40” tall

Phlox stolinfera ‘Home Fires’ Take 2 6-10” Part Sun

Phlox pilosa take 1 1-2’ tall

Phlox glabberima ‘Triple Play” take 2 12-15” tall

Phlox subulata (creeping phlox) take 2 4-6 inches tall

Phlox paniculata Coral Flame速 Garden Phlox Large clusters of fragrant, dramatic, bright coral flowers. Naturally dwarf, and highly disease resistant.

Bloom time: summer Exposure: full sun to part shade Uses: beds, borders, cutting gardens Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips Prefers well-drained soil and good air circulation. Remove spent flowers to promote reblooming.

Height 12-20 Inches Spread 18 Inches

Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise' Garden phlox 'Blue Paradise' displays wonderful color from our native garden phlox! Flowers open pale blue, darken to a deep violet blue, then develop red-violet edges as they age. The color changes with the light, looking more blue or more purple depending on the time of day.

This phlox is easy to grow and resists mildew.

2-3 feet tall and wide

Laura Garden Phlox

Fragrant flowers in a unique shade of purple with a white star center offer a striking show.

Great plant for the back of a sunny perennial border. In hot climates, provide partial shade.

Attracts hummingbirds. Superb cut flower.

Exceptional mildew resistance. 2 feet tall

Orange Perfection Looking for that certain something for your garden? This salmon orange beauty will be the Phlox 'perfection' you seek. Afternoon shade is needed for best display of true color. Stunning alongside purple Agastache or white Echinacea.

When most plants are on their summer siesta, Garden Phlox provide a much needed shot of color. Large blossoms in a range of colors, Garden Phlox are known as the "backbone" of the perennial border. 3 feet tall

Phlox Starfire Phlox paniculata 'Starfire' (Garden Phlox). This phlox is prized for its striking cherry-red flower clusters, and lovely fragrance. Foliage emerges with maroon tinting , but matures green. This tall garden phlox is extremely hardy and blooms profusely all summer long (JuneOctober) on 2-3' stalks. Prefers rich, moist, organic soils. Intolerant of drought, and needs to be watered in dry spells, although avoid overwatering. Mulch in summer to keep the root zone cool. Provide good air circulation to combat potential powdery mildew problems, their biggest enemy. Plant in full sun to partial shade. Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and birds to the garden! Keep the plants deadheaded to encourage even heavier blooming.

Pink Flame Phlox

Dwarf Garden Phlox 'Pink Flame' is a short, compact plant with a large head of dark pink flowers and an even darker eye. This series was bred for garden and pot performance. These long blooming hybrids also have improved mildew tolerance. It is strong for commercial production as well as homeowner garden appeal. Phlox 'Pink Flame' will bloom naturally as days lengthen and temperatures begin to rise in late spring. 12-18� tall