A favourite in many flowerbeds, ‘Garden Phlox’ is beginning to show its colours, as well as fragrance in many local landscapes.

 

 If you are wondering where that sweet fragrance is coming from when you walk past a flowerbed it could be the garden phlox.

 

Garden phlox is a flowering perennial that grow 60-120 cm tall and spread 60-75 cm making it ideal for the back of a flowerbed or along a border.

 

Native to North America,  there are many different varieties that come in a wide range of colours, from pastel pinks, white, mauve, red, purple, etc and bi coloured. The five petal flowers grow in clusters on top of strong sturdy stems. They are long lasting and can be in bloom for weeks. They also make great cut flowers for bouquets.

 

Garden Phlox are easy to grow. They are most commonly available as plants that are sold in the garden centre. Choose a site that receives full sun. They can take some shade but there may not be as many blooms, or as large. They grow best in a well drained moist soil. Moisture is important so if the soil is sandy add some compost to the soil to help it retain the moisture. Mulch is also beneficial in keeping the soil moist. During dry spells, the plants may need some extra water.

 

When planting or transplanting sprinkle a handful of bone meal to the bottom of the hole before placing the plant in, to promote good root growth. Good air circulation is very important to keep plants healthy. Garden Phlox can be prone to a disease called powdery mildew, which appears as powdery white spots on the upper parts of the plants foliage. If it becomes bad the leaves will drop off and if it is left untreated it can weaken and kill and the plant. To help prevent powdery mildew, you want good air circulation so give plants their space, and if possible water plants at the soil level rather then from the top, as this will keep the foliage dry. If you have to water from the top, try to water in the mornings so that the foliage dries quickly.

 

There is not a lot of maintenance involved when growing garden phlox. If you want to get larger flowers thin out the stems to 5-6 of the largest stems in the spring when they are 15 cm tall, and then pinch out the tips as this will create a larger flower. By thinning out the thinner stems you will also get better air circulation.

 

Garden phlox bloom from mid summer till fall. Removing the finished flowers will keep plants looking neat and prolong the blooming period. In the fall cut the stems back to 10-12 cm so that the remaining stubble will catch the snow in the winter giving it extra protection against the cold and in the spring it will be easier to find the plant.

 

After 3-4 years or when the centre dies out, the plants should be dug and divided. This is best done in the spring just as new growth appears. When dividing use the outer edges of the plant. Each division should include 4-5 strong, vigorous shoots with roots attached.

 

Garden phlox is a beautiful addition to the flowerbed adding mid summer colour and fragrance to the yard, as well as indoors if you choose to use the flower stems for bouquets.

 

• Highway 16 west at Kimball Road
• Highway 97 North at Northwood Pulpmill Road