Introduction Of The Phlox Flower
An amazing array, one more colorful than the other, of plants that entice bees, butterflies and moths define the phlox, a genus that can make a home landscape look like the Garden of Eden in spring, summer and in fall.

Genus and History of the Phlox
Etymologically, the name Phlox is of Greek origin, meaning flame, with reference to its brilliant range of colorful inflorescence. The genus Phlox with its 67 species belongs to the family Poliniceae. It is a native of North America with the exception of one that hails from Siberia, Asia. In 1730, the brownish-purple colored garden phlox, P.paniculata, a wild species was brought to England and from it many varieties in hues of white, pink, and red, arrived a century later in the United States to tantalize Americans. In 1820, Thomas Drummond, a famous British naturalist was enticed by the bright red phlox, a native of Texas. The seeds of these were sent to Europe and were reintroduced to American horticulturists as Phlox drummondii with its many hybrids.

Description and Popular Types of Phlox
Popular Phlox species are all hardy herbaceous perennials with only one annual type in North America. There are tall species with shiny, thick foliage, or ground-covering with their needle shaped leaves. The leaves are clump-forming and they strike a good contrast to the stalk-bearing large flower heads. Each flower is tubular and five petaled and in some types, blooms have bright colored eyes. Phlox drummondii is an incredible annual of many varieties. It is a South West American native that is self-branching, trailing annually of only 8 to 24 inches in height. The plant bears reddish-purple blossoms and ovate leaves. Some varieties bear star-shaped flowers in two colors and contrasting eyes. Pale yellow, rose, scarlet, violet and white are the common colors.

Perennial phlox or garden phlox is the Phlox. paniculata, a native of Eastern United States. These are 3 feet tall, clump-forming with trusses of inflorescence in colors of white, rose, crimson, scarlet, lavender and purple. They bloom from July to September. Their stems are stiff and erect and the flower heads are large, flat and fragrant, thus attracting butterflies, swallow tails, sulphurs and skippers. Mildew attack had led to its fall from grace but mildew-resistant strains are available now. The Midwest native, Phlox divaricata or woodland phlox is an early spring ground-covering species with its flowers in a periwinkle blue shade matched against leaves that are lance-shaped. The prairie phlox, Phlox. Pilosa, with its maroon-centered lavender blue flowers is a native of Central North America. It is a late spring type. Spreading Phlox or Phlox.diffusa, moss phlox or Phlox. subulata and the Douglas phlox or Phlox. douglasii are fragrant types that thrive in hot, dry conditions. Moss pinks (moss phlox) blooms are delicate and sweet-scented, in dazzling colors of blue, purple, pink and white. They are ideal as a ground cover.
Wild sweet William or P.maculata, is a native of the Appalachian states like Iowa. It bears fragrant, blue colored flowers. For moonlit gardens, there are bewitching white blossomed phlox varieties that attract night moths with their sweet scent.

Phlox Growing Tips

Soil Requirements for Growing Phlox

All soil types that are enriched with compost and organic manure are suitable for growing phlox. Soil should always be kept moist. A light, loamy soil is good for spring blooming phlox.

Light and Moisture Requirements for Grwoing Phlox

Phlox grows well in full sun and in semi-shaded areas if soil is moist; in sandy and poor soils, semi shade is advised. Mulching is required to keep the soil moist as roots are close to the surface.
Fertilizer
A complete fertilizer is necessary during spring while planting and a liquid fertilizer during the growing period.

Pests and Disease Control Phlox

Fencing, sprinkling of ash at the base of the plants, and sterilization of soil are recommended to prevent attack by rabbits, mildew, and nematodes.

Planting Time for Phlox

Ideal seasons for planting are fall and spring. Perennial phlox have crowns that need to be planted close to the surface and about 8 to 10 inches apart.
During flowering, deadheading will increase blooming. When leaves die, pruning of stems to ground level is recommended. A layer of sand or ash to protect the roots is recommended.

Propagation of the Phlox

Plants yield less by the third year of blooming and new plantings are recommended at that time. In fall, plants can be uprooted, cleaned, divided and healthy sections replanted. Seed propagation is also possible. Cuttings of fresh non-flowering shoots can be taken in spring or summer for propagation. These can be set in sand and covered with a bell jar. They need to be watered well initially when planting; later on, only sprinkling is required during growth.
Tall and dwarf species of Phlox with their show-stealing cultivars, ranging from delicate pastels to electric hot colors, lend an inimitable cozy charm to the landscape when planted as edging beds, formal borders, atop a wall, between rocks, and as groundcover. The phlox is a spectacular North American perennial!

If you like Phlox....These pages might also interest you:

Allium Directory, Amaryllis Directory, Begonia Directory, Crocus Directory, Daffodils Directory, Dahlia Directory, Hyacinth Directory, Iris Directory, Lily Directory, Tulip Directory