The three main types grown in gardens are creeping phlox, woodland phlox, and tall phlox.
Colors range from white to shades of pink, purple, and blue.
Most phlox will bloom in partial shade conditions.
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The taller varieties make excellent cut flowers and are attractive topollinators.
It is a favorite choice for cottage gardens.
Woodland phlox will bloom in partial to full shade.
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Soil
Phlox need well-drained soil that is rich with compost.
The soil should be neutral to slightly acidic.
Phlox are somewhat drought tolerant but need regular watering during their blooming season.
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Temperature and Humidity
Tall phlox may wilt a bit on a hot summer day.
Give them cool water at the base if the flowers or stems droop.
Humidity can be an issue for phlox because of a tendency for powdery mildew to form on the leaves.
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If they start to get crowded they can be easily divided.
There are also annual phlox available in many nurseries.
The plants are low growing, reaching at most 6 inches in height.
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They grow between 2 to 4 feet tall, depending on the variety, with some new dwarf hybrids.
Well-loved cultivars include ‘David’, ‘Eva Callum’, ‘Blue Paradise’, and ‘Bright Eyes’.
Pruning
Phlox don’t needpruningso much as they need deadheading.
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Snip the tops of the plants once blooms are spent, this will encourage more blooms.
Once the flowering season is over, cut phlox back as desired, and they will regrow in spring.
Propagating Phlox
Phlox is very easy to propagate from divisions.
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As long as there is a bit of root attached, phlox cuttings also propagate readily.
Divide the roots in the fall and replant as desired in your garden.
They should flower in the spring, but if not, they will catch up the following year.
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Overwintering
Being very cold hardy, phlox doesn’t need any special overwintering care.
Common Pests and Diseases
Phlox has two main issues: hungry wildlife and powdery mildew.
Rabbits and deer love to nibble phlox.
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Phlox may also be bothered byspider mites, especially in warm, unusually dry weather.
The leaves may turn yellow and curl downward.
Watering at the base of the plant and not from overhead can also help prevent mildew.
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How to Get Phlox to Bloom
Phlox are prolific bloomers in the garden.
But there may be various reasons why they don’t bloom as vigorously as they should.
Powdery mildew can weaken the plant and this may affect the bloom output.
Trim any mildewy leaves or cut those stems out to help keep the plant healthy.
Dividing phlox plants that have become large or overgrown will also help to ensure healthy bud and flower production.
you’ve got the option to divide plants in early spring or in the fall.
Moss phlox usually starts blooming in May.
They have shorter bloom times than tall phlox, which usually start flowering in late June to July.
The ‘Early Start’ cultivars begin blooming in early June.
‘Franz Schubert’ is a pretty pale lilac heirloom that blooms from late summer to early fall.
What Do Phlox Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Phlox flowers smell of sweet clove.
Moss phlox, woodland phlox, and tall phlox all tend to bloom for about three weeks.
Some tall phlox bloom for as long as six weeks.
Phlox are hardy perennials and will spread at a relatively vigorous rate.
They should be divided every two to three years.
Creeping phlox forms a dense carpet-like groundcover and is known to choke out weeds.
