Phlox paniculata - “Ornamental American”: planting and care. Phlox relation to light

On almost every summer cottage you can see beautiful flower beds on which phloxes grow. They delight with their bright blooms from spring until late autumn. The phlox family includes about 60 species, which vary in height, shape, color scheme. That is why, with their help, you can easily create any composition in the garden, including one that blooms continuously. In this article we will describe in detail the types and most popular varieties of amazingly beautiful flowers. And photos from our gallery will help gardeners choose the shapes and colors of phlox needed to create their flower beds.

Paniculate phlox - popular varieties with photos

Most often on garden plots grow different types Phlox paniculata. This species was bred by breeders from several varieties and types of phlox. The result was bush varieties 60-70 cm or 80-100 cm high.

The height of paniculate phlox and its color palette are affected by the illumination of the area in which it grows. In the shade the bushes stretch out, but in the sun they grow squat. Bright flower petals fade to white in the open sun. Therefore, when planting phlox, this problem must be kept in mind.

All varieties of paniculate phlox by flowering time are divided into three types. This is very convenient because you can choose an option that will suit the attractiveness of your garden throughout the season.

Early flowering phlox

These types of plants include flowers that begin their flowering from the second half of June:

Plants of the Middle Ages

This type includes phlox, blooming in the second ten days of July:

Late-blooming paniculate phlox

This group of plants blooms in August and even in September:

Ground cover perennial phlox - photo

Creeping types of phlox bloom already in May. To their positive characteristics can be attributed small height up to 20 cm, drought resistance and fairly easy propagation.

The following varieties of ground cover phlox are the most popular among gardeners:

Loose phlox - photo

Immediately after the ground cover, loose-grass phloxes bloom. This forest plants, which are characterized by resistance to temperature changes and abundant flowering. The most famous varieties:

1. Spreading phlox is a bush with delicate and lush blue or white flowers that looks very cloud-like when in bloom. The plant grows well in any well-drained soil.
2. The Adsurgens variety is different large flowers, so during flowering it looks very elegant. Loves well-drained, nutritious soil.
3. The “Pressed” variety is a 30 cm tall bush that blooms pink flowers. Grows well in loose, nutritious soils.

Stoloniferous phloxes – photo

This unpretentious plants, which, thanks to stolons rooting at the nodes, develop very quickly. They have a thick rhizome, and their stems grow so that even weeds cannot grow through them. They take root literally from one contact with the ground. As a result, new flower stalks grow and a dense, beautiful carpet . They need to be planted in fertile, moist soils and shady areas.

The most popular varieties:

1. The Blue Raj variety grows up to 25 cm and blooms with violet-blue flowers with a yellow stamen. Prefers to grow on loose soil and semi-shaded areas. Loves abundant watering.
2. The Purpurea variety grows well in partial shade. Its flower stalks reach 25 cm in length and consist of pale pink flowers with yellow stamens.
3. The variety "Fuller's White" is a flexible, creeping plant whose height is about 30 cm. Long time blooms with white flowers without any foreign impurities and shades. Suitable for forming an alpine slide and decorating walls. Suitable for cutting.
4. The variety "Violet Queen" grows up to 40 cm and blooms with blue flowers lilac shade. Flowering lasts no more than thirty days, after which the flower stalks are cut off. Suitable for cutting.

Phlox in landscape design - photo examples

Perennial flowers will look great both in single plantings and in compositions with other plants. With the help of some paniculate varieties you can camouflage a fence, a barrel, wall imperfections, or old curbs on a site. By them you can divide the garden into zones.

Decorate with awl-shaped phloxes alpine coaster, flower beds, lawns, garden paths. A brightly colored carpet can be grown from ground cover varieties by planting them instead of lawn grass.

Phlox will also look good with other flowers. Their roses may be neighbors, daylilies or silver conifer. Bright roses will look very impressive against the background of soft white phlox. An interesting “carpet” can be created from a group of plants of the same color, but in different shades.

Despite the simplicity of the buds and uncomplicated lines, with the help of phlox you can wonderfully decorate country cottage area , garden, front garden or balcony. And among the variety of species, even the most fastidious gardener will find a variety to his liking.

Perennial phlox

Elegant, bright phloxes (belong to the cyanotic family) in addition to wonderful decorative qualities They also have such advantages as unpretentiousness and ability to grow in different conditions illumination and various soils . In addition, they last a long time in a bouquet and are therefore well suited for decorating a room.

Phlox are perennial flowers that overwinter in the garden. They are extremely varied in color and height of the bush, and can be used in different flower and plant compositions.

Among other garden flowers, phloxes are champions in winter hardiness and flowering time.

Planting phlox in the garden is possible using cuttings or seeds. They grow quickly and, getting necessary care, bloom profusely and luxuriantly.

Types of phlox

A few words about what types of phlox are most popular among gardeners.

First of all, this phlox paniculata or paniculata, blooming in late summer - early autumn. This species has large inflorescences and fragrant flowers various colors: white, all sorts of shades of pink from pale to bright, lilac, dark purple. There are no yellow tones in the colors. There are hybrids with flowers painted with multi-colored stripes.

The bushes are tall, from 40 cm to more than 1 m, with big amount leaves on stems, lush. The number of shoots on plants eventually reaches twenty or more.



Phlox paniculata blooms almost all season. Among the numerous varieties and hybrids, choose both summer and autumn ones, which bloom in September.

Phlox subulate or subulata. Plants of this species form a small inflorescence of 2-4 flowers of soft lilac or pink-lilac color on a low stem 10-15 cm high. Each stem branches abundantly and each shoot produces flowers, so planting phlox subulata forms a continuous flowering mat of pastel shades from dense turfy bushes. This is where the second name of the species comes from - turf phlox. It blooms early, in May-June.



This species has peculiar leaves - small, leathery, pointed, needle-like.

Phlox subulate is ideal for borders, ridges, perennial clumps or for growing in flowerpots and flower baskets. Takes a haircut well, therefore, it is easy to form geometric plantings from these phloxes.



Phlox Douglas– low-growing, about 5 cm tall, carpet-shaped. Blooms twice per season. The first time in May - June, then again in the fall. This type of phlox has narrow gray-green leaves, flowers are white, blue, lavender, and pink.



Phlox creeping- another low, early-flowering species. The height above the soil surface is 15-20 cm. It is distinguished by abundant branching of stems and umbrella inflorescences, in some species up to 10 of them can be formed. Blooms in May - early June. The flowers are brightly colored: pink, red and purple.

Phlox Canadian or spreading. This is a medium-sized phlox, with a stem height of 15-40 cm, the flowers are larger than those of the species described above. They have a white or bluish-lilac pastel color, collected in large umbrellas with a diameter of about 10 cm. They do not form seeds. It also blooms in May - early June.

This type of phlox more demanding on soil, compared to the others. It grows poorly on peat and forest soils. For long-term cultivation, light soils with the addition of humus are suitable. Fresh manure, peat and leaves should not be added to the soil.

1. Any soil is suitable for growing phlox, but They grow best in light loamy soils.. Adding lime to the soil has a good effect on plant development.
2. Areas intended for planting phlox, with autumn requires digging deep. For the spring ones, low-growing varieties In addition, it is necessary to clear the soil of weed rhizomes; it is more difficult for such varieties to fight foreign vegetation in the first year.
3. Landing is carried out on sunny areas With the exception of hybrids with easily fading flower colors, such plants are placed in partial shade.
4. Phloxes with dark flowers It is better to plant, diluting them with lighter colored ones, so that in the evening they do not “get lost”, but, on the contrary, are favorably shaded.
5. Caring for phlox is very simple. Periodically you need to loosen the soil under them and weed out weeds. For abundant flowering, plants need to be fertilized regularly.
6. Phlox paniculata grows well in both sun and partial shade. Low-growing species phloxes prefer well-lit areas, but also tolerate partial shade without loss of decorativeness. For active growth they need timely application of fertilizers.
7. Water phlox abundantly, but infrequently, unless the weather is too dry and hot. In this case, if the soil dries out quickly, watering, of course, needs to be done more often. The best time for watering is the second half of the day.
8. Phlox produces seeds True, not all varieties, and not even every plant belonging to the variety that produces seeds. The reason for this, among others, may be low temperature environment, in which sterile pollen is formed. If you dig up a plant and bring it indoors, it can produce normal pollen and set seeds after artificial fertilization.

Caring for phlox in autumn

Before winter, both young and old phlox bushes are covered with earth or covered with a layer of manure or humus 8-12 cm thick, to protect underground buds from freezing. Such protection is especially important for cuttings rooted and planted this year.

If phlox in your area are susceptible to fungal diseases, in October, after flowering, you need to carry out preventive treatment of plants with fungicides.

If seeds have formed on the plants, but they did not have time to ripen before the onset of frost, the bushes can be dug up, planted in pots and moved indoors to fully ripen.

In the fall, you can transplant and rejuvenate phloxes, as described in the following sections.

When to replant phloxes

Phlox paniculata can grow in one place for more than 15 years. New shoots appear on the periphery of the bush, the center ages over time. Therefore, every 5-7 years the plantings are rejuvenated or divided and replanted.

Dividing phlox bushes

Dividing the bush is necessary procedure for normal plant development. It must be carried out every 5-7 years, or earlier, after 3-4 years.

Dividing can be done at any time: spring, summer or autumn.

The bush is dug around the circumference, removed, the shoots are cut to a length of 10-15 cm. After this, they are cut with an ax, sharp knife or shovels into separate parts, each of which contains from 2 to 5 renewal buds. The roots of phlox are quite developed and long, up to 15 cm.

The pits for transplantation are prepared in advance so that the soil has time to settle. For spring planting– in the fall, for summer and autumn – no less than 2 weeks before the event. The distance between the pits for tall phloxes is 60 cm, for others it may be smaller.

Half a bucket of compost is poured into the pits, mineral fertilizer is added, if planting is carried out in the fall, nitrogen fertilizers are not applied. Ash is a good choice as an additional potassium fertilizer. On acidic soils(soil acidity for phlox should be 5-7 pH) add 1 cup of lime. All additives are mixed well, to avoid root burns.

The holes are filled with water and divisions are planted in them. They fall asleep in such a way that the renewal buds are covered by 3-5 cm. Then they are compacted, a layer of compost is added, and compacted again.

A layer of mulch (peat, leaf humus, leaf litter) 10 cm thick is poured on top. Mulching, among other things, promotes better rooting of the cuttings. When dividing in autumn, phlox should have time to take root before the cold weather.

Propagation of phlox by green cuttings

Harvesting green phlox cuttings begins when the plant reaches a height of 12-15 cm, i.e. at the end of May. You can carry out cuttings later, until mid-July, but later cuttings take root worse.

The shoots are cut off, leaving at least two well-developed buds on the mother plant. After cutting, the cuttings are immersed entirely in water for 1 hour. This procedure allows them to wilt less in the first days after planting and take root better. However, keeping cuttings in water for longer than 1 hour is not recommended.

Before planting, the lower leaves of the cuttings are removed, the rest are shortened to half and a cut is made under the bud. A cutting ready for planting should have a length of 6 to 10 cm. Work with cuttings in the shade or indoors so that they do not wilt.

Cuttings are planted in open ground in the shade or in a greenhouse. They get along well if after planting you cover them with a layer of wet paper. The cuttings are not deeply buried, 1-1.5 cm, and the soil around each is slightly compacted. Rooting occurs 6-14 days after planting.

Propagation of phlox by autumn cuttings

Phlox propagates better than other garden flowers by autumn cuttings. They are harvested in August - September, cutting off parts of the current year's shoots, processed in the same way as described in the previous section and rooted in greenhouses or heated greenhouses. Overwintered plants produce in the spring abundant flowering. When landing on permanent place the cuttings are buried quite deeply, thus so that the largest number of buds are underground. This ensures better wintering and active resumption of spring growth of phlox.

Growing phlox from seeds

Phlox seeds, as a rule, have good germination. They are usually sown before winter in open ground. You can sow the seeds later, in winter, but then the boxes with the seeds need to be taken out into the cold for stratification for a month. After this, they are allowed to gradually thaw, and the seeds germinate together.

Powdery mildew on phlox

A little about the most common disease that most severely spoils the appearance of phlox. This is, of course, powdery mildew, covering plants with a dense, unpleasant white coating. Phlox begins to hurt in mid-July - August. Gradually, the affected leaves curl, dry out and fall off. How to deal with this trouble?

It's better to start with prevention. In October, before winter, treat phlox with a solution copper sulfate(1%) or Bordeaux mixture (1%), and from the beginning of summer carry out periodic (at least 2 times) spraying with fungicidal preparations (fast, topaz, foundationazole, green soap, etc.).

When the first signs of the disease appear, you need to treat the plants with a solution several times (every 7-10 days). soda ash with soap (2 tablespoons of soda, 50 g of soap per bucket of water), Bordeaux mixture (1%) or copper-soap solution (200-300 g of soap, 20-30 g of copper sulfate per bucket of water). In the fall, after flowering, diseased plants should be cut short and treated with drugs again.

Among the huge variety of phloxes, one of the most numerous groups are paniculate phloxes. Varieties of paniculate phlox amaze with their varied colors. In addition, they are also famous for their long-lasting and lush flowering. Today we want to introduce you to some of their most popular representatives. But first, it will be interesting to find out in more detail what is so special about these phloxes.

What are paniculate phloxes?

Paniculate phloxes are one of the most beautiful varieties plants. Characteristic feature varieties of the group have strong, strong stems that become woody by autumn. They grow straight and form a bush that keeps its shape well. Most varieties have an average height of 70-100 cm, although there are also compact species with a height of 35 cm. Phloxes feel good both in the sun and in partial shade. Moreover, the height of the bush in most types of paniculate phlox directly depends on the light intensity.

In the sun, the plants will be lower and the buds will be smaller. But if you shade the bushes for a couple of hours on a hot afternoon, they will be taller. Some varieties of paniculate phlox grow up to 1.5 m in height. The fibrous root system tolerates wintering well in open ground, but the above-ground part dies off. Every year the rhizome grows not only in width. It also rises slightly above the soil level.

In order for the bush to develop and bloom normally, it is necessary to add soil every spring. It will cover the young roots that form on the new shoot at the point where it departs from the old rhizome.

Such phloxes bloom for a long time, from the beginning of summer until the first autumn frosts. The color of the flowers can be either one-color or two-color. It is noteworthy that they are not revealed immediately. The maximum opening of the inflorescence begins in the second week of flowering.

There is no yellow color in the color of paniculate phlox. Color palette species is presented in white, pink, red, blue and purple tone with different shades.

Phlox lovers can check out different varieties in the private gardens of flower growers and collectors of these plants. One of these treasured places is the garden of Lyudmila Fedotova, whose phloxes amaze with their diversity. Among them, the majority are occupied by paniculate species.

Varieties of paniculate phlox: a small selection of flowers with gorgeous colors

U paniculate species There are many warm-colored varieties. Red and pink inflorescences are very beautiful, but now we will not talk about them. Cold tones, from blue to violet, in phloxes acquire a special mystery. White inflorescences are no less beautiful, especially with contrasting splashes.

Among them I would like to mention the following varieties:

• Othello;
• Roberta;
• Burgundy Giant;
• Miroslav;
• Fiona;
• Igor Severyanin;
• Yoke;
• All-loving;
• Breath of the Arctic;
• Marble;
• Divey;
• Fatima;
• Lilac robe;
• Marshmallow;
• Snow White;
• Alyonushka;
• Europe;
• Atlant;
• Lavandelvolke;
• Lyubasha;
• Fliderantian.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the Orange Giant phlox. This is a very beautiful and quite tall species. It is an orange variety of phlox. The bushes grow more than 1 m in height. The stems are dark cherry in color. Large, stuffed inflorescences look beautiful against their background.

The photo of the Orange Giant phlox shows that its flowers are pink-orange. A small raspberry ring is barely visible in the center. Phlox quickly increases in volume, turning into a spreading dense bush.

The brightness of the colors is not lost and does not fade under the sun's rays.

The bush grows to a maximum of 90 cm in height, straight stems hold their shape well. In the second half of summer they bloom at the tops bright flowers. You can admire them until the end of summer. The inflorescences are painted purple, while the petals themselves are darker than the middle. Light longitudinal stripes are barely visible along the petals. The variety's resistance to diseases, especially fungal ones, is average.

Othello is often classified as a blue phlox variety because it has the ability to change color. In the evening, after sunset, its inflorescences darken and turn blue.

Despite the fact that the bush grows to a maximum of 50 cm in height, it is distinguished by powerful stems. Along the entire length of the shoot there are bright green oval leaves. Roberta can grow in full sun, but blooms best in partial shade. Its flowers are medium in size, no more than 3 cm in diameter. But there are a lot of them and together they form a lush conical inflorescence. This is one of the brightest phloxes: the color of the buds is deep purple, but in the center they are a little lighter.

Although the variety is considered a medium flowering variety, its flowering is abundant and long lasting. The first buds bloom in July, and the last ones fade in September.

A tall variety that lives up to its name. The bushes are very powerful, from 1.1 m to 1.5 m high, with a large number of densely leafy straight shoots. They grow and reproduce very quickly. They bloom in July with not very large, but dense inflorescences, slightly elongated. The flowers are beautiful, with velvety, solid purple petals. This is one of the darkest varieties of phlox.

The variety has good resistance to weather changes and does not fade.

A bush up to 85 cm high blooms in mid-summer. The inflorescences are oval-shaped, elongated. The flowers are round, soft lilac, with a white center shaped like a star. The petals seem to overlap each other. Winters well even without additional shelter.

A bush up to 70 cm high blooms in July. This lilac phlox is very cute, with delicate colors. There is a purple ring in the center of the flowers, and light purple shadows on the petals. The inflorescence is round, slightly elongated. Sometimes the bush blooms a second time closer to autumn.

The photo of Phlox Fiona shows that purple colour becomes deeper and turns blue. This happens when it is cloudy outside and there is little sun, as well as in the evening.

Even a photo of phlox Igor Severyanin cannot convey how original and bright its color is. Quite large, up to 3.7 cm in diameter, the flowers are painted in a rich lilac-violet color. In the center of the flower there is a large white star, from which light rays radiate along the petals. Phlox blooms in July, the inflorescences are large, lush, round shape. The plant does not exceed 70 cm in height, but quickly grows into a wide bush.

beautiful bush with strong, straight stems it grows to a maximum of 80 cm in height. In July, large, elongated and very dense inflorescences bloom on it. Each flower is up to 4 cm in diameter, lilac-colored with a white center. The petals are wavy and lacy, which gives the phlox a special charm.

The variety tolerates cold winters well.

One of the new varieties, obtained in 2013 by Russian breeders. The bush grows to almost 1 m in height. The inflorescences are very lush, with large pale pink flowers in cool tones. In the photo of phlox Vsemil you can see that there is a white star in the center of the flowers. They bloom in early summer.

The low bush (maximum 60 cm) fascinates with the mysterious coloring of its inflorescences. The main part of the petal is crystal white, but the edges are surrounded by a wide purple border. The ring in the middle of the petal is the same color. The flowers themselves are medium in size, collected in a round inflorescence. They bloom in mid-summer.

The bush is medium in size, but with large flowers of original color. They are light lilac and have a large white star in the center. The highlight of the variety is the shading on the petals. dark shade. Thanks to this pattern, they really look like marble. The petals themselves are widely spaced, with gaps between each other. Phlox blooms in July, and the leaves have a bluish tint.

In the evening, the flowers become blue, which is why the color of such phloxes is considered blue.

The bush is of medium height, only 70 cm, grows with dense stems and does not fall apart. Blooms in July with round conical inflorescences. Although they are large, they are slightly rare. The flowers are painted in dark colors, combining violet and purple. If you look closely at the photo of Phlox Fatima, the petals at the base and in the middle seem to be highlighted around a thin cherry ring.

The variety winters well, but is not resistant to fungal diseases.

The bush up to 90 cm high holds its shape well. Does not fall apart, grows quickly. It blooms in July with large and lush inflorescences. The flowers are painted in an even purple color, without other shades or inclusions. The only thing is that they brighten in the sun.

The paniculate phlox bush Zephyr grows up to 70 cm in height, its shoots are strong and even. Round, dense inflorescences of a delicate white color, but with a pale purple center. Fuzzy pinkish rays radiate from it across the petals. The flowers themselves are large, more than 4 cm in diameter. They bloom in mid-summer and bloom until the end of August. The variety is moisture and drought resistant.

When grown on sunny place the flowers fade and turn white.

The color of the buds is very original; they bloom in mid-summer. Despite the fact that the open flowers are virgin white, the tube is pink. This gives the petals a subtle pink tint. And here closed buds are purple-brown. Together they form a large and lush inflorescence in the shape of a pyramid. The bushes grow up to 80 cm in height. Although the stems are strong and decorated with dense foliage, they slightly droop under the weight of the inflorescences.

It grows as a slender bush up to 80 cm high. The stems are strong, but there is not much foliage on them. The variety is easily recognized by its color and large lush inflorescences that bloom in July. They have a round-conical shape, but the flowers resemble a wheel. The petals are milky white, however, in the center there is a crimson spot with a clearly defined outline. On the petals pink color does not spread, and they themselves are dense and slightly wavy. But the tube is painted lilac.

Characteristic for the variety slow growth and high winter hardiness.

A powerful bush with straight stems grows up to 90 cm in height. The shoots are densely covered with dark green foliage. Large pyramid-shaped inflorescences bloom at their tops in July. The flowers are also quite large, up to 4 cm in diameter, white with a pink ring.

Phlox Europe, the photo of which is above, is similar in color to Alyonushka. They can be distinguished by the ring and shape of the inflorescences. The second has a darker flower core, and the inflorescences are more rounded. In addition, Europe grows faster and taller, reproduces more easily, and has more foliage on its stems.

As you can see in the photo, phlox Atlant has a large lush inflorescence that opens in mid-summer. It justifies its name: the flowers are very large, up to 5 cm in diameter. Painted in White color, but with a purple ring and a slight lilac tint on the petals. The bush itself is also quite tall and powerful - up to 1.1 m in height, with strong shoots.

One of the most tall varieties. The height of the bush can reach 170 cm, although most often there are plants about 120 cm tall. The shoots are powerful, slightly spreading their arms under the weight of the inflorescences, but do not need a garter. They are very large and lush, in the shape of a cone or pyramid. The flowers are also large, up to 4.2 cm in diameter. Blooming in July, they attract the eye with a delicate pale lilac color. In the center of the flower, if you look closely, you can see a pale purple star.

Lavandevolke rarely gets sick and winters well.

The low bush (on average 60 cm) keeps its shape well. In mid-July, lush, ball-shaped inflorescences bloom at the tops of the stems. The color is delicate, bluish-violet. There is a blurry white spot in the center of the flower.

In the sun, phlox appears blue and fades a little. In hot summer the flowers are almost white.

One of the tall varieties, with small flowers. With a bush height of 120 cm, the diameter of the flowers is no more than 2 cm. Despite these dimensions, the bush itself is strong, the shoots do not fall apart. It blooms in July with inflorescences reminiscent of lilac or hyacinth. The flowers are a delicate lilac-blue color and have a long purple tube. The petals are slightly curved.

The flowers emit a delicate aroma and take on a steely hue in the evening.

As you can see, varieties of paniculate phlox with a “cold” color are stunningly beautiful. And light warm pink notes on a white background only emphasize their charm. Plant a couple of these wonderful perennials in your flowerbed and enjoy their lush flowering.

Phlox paniculata in the garden - video

There is a legend about how phlox appeared. After returning from a dangerous and difficult journey to the afterlife kingdom of Hades, coming to the surface, Odysseus and his companions threw torches onto the ground, with which they illuminated their path. Later, in those places where they fell, bright flowers grew, looking like burning torches - phlox. Today there are many different varieties and species of this plant, decorating parks and village front gardens, gardens and city squares. In this article we will tell you what kind of plant this is - paniculata phlox, what varieties and colors exist, as well as the features of its propagation and care.

Why is it called that?

This flowering plant called phlox, which means “flame” translated from Greek language, Swedish physician and naturalist Carl Linnaeus. The fact is that most wild flower species have a fiery red color, reminiscent of flashes of flame. A less common version is German origin titles. Translated from Goethe's language, flocken means flakes (snow). You can easily believe this by imagining thickets of this plant with many white miniature star-flowers.

North America is considered to be the homeland of phlox, where most of the original species grow. In Europe and Asia you can find only one wild species- Siberian phlox. This small plant with creeping shoots and rare flowers.

In total perennial phlox There are about 70 species, and they are divided into ground cover and bush. Only one representative of this family is annual - phlox drummonda.

Biological features

Phlox paniculata, better known as garden phlox, blooms from July until autumn frosts. The height of this plant, which belongs to the Sinyukhov family, can vary from 40 to 150 cm. The root system is perennial, but its entire above-ground part, flowers, leaves and stems, after the seeds ripen, dies in late summer - early autumn.

The powerful fibrous root system that paniculate phlox has is characterized by a superficial arrangement of thin and branched roots, most of which are located in the surface layers of the soil, at a depth of 4 to 20 cm. Because of this structure, phlox are quite demanding in terms of soil moisture and nutritional value, as well as its friability.

Phlox paniculata forms growth buds on the rhizome, at the very base of the stem, just above the point from which the main branching of the roots begins. Next season, a new shoot will emerge from such a bud. In the place where it departs from the old root, young roots are formed. And a little higher - new growth buds. As a result of such processes, the rhizome rises and grows annually, as if crawling out of the ground. For normal growth and beautiful flowering The bush needs to be sprinkled with soil annually, thus covering the new young roots.

Features of flowering

Cultivated varieties of paniculata phlox come in a wide variety of colors, from snow-white to inky purple. The only thing missing from this palette is yellow. The coloring can be not only one-color, but also two-color. Plants may have an “eye” of a different color, different strokes, rims and shadows. Flowers can be from 2.5 to 4 cm in size. They do not open at the same time. The inflorescence reaches its full development approximately a week after the start of flowering. It lasts, depending on the variety, from 20 to 45 days. Blooming flowers last from a week to two, after which they fall off.

Due to the fact that phlox paniculata flowers open and fall out of synchronization, seed pods are also formed at different times. As soon as the three-lobed seed pods ripen, starting with the leaves, the above-ground part of the plant dies.

What are the inflorescences?

A feature of paniculate phlox is the variety of shape, density and texture of their inflorescences. In form they can be:

Inflorescences can be either dense or loose.

Varieties of Phlox paniculata

Presented in modern gardens various plants This species blooms at different times. Depending on the period in which paniculate phlox blooms, the following groups are distinguished:

• early (June-July), such varieties as Moskvichka, Arctic, Groza, Scarlet Flower;
• medium (July-August), for example, phloxes Panama, Aurora, New, Africa;
• late (from August until the first frost), for example, varieties Winter Merchen, Viking, Kirmeslender.

Popular varieties of paniculate phlox of various colors

The timing of flowering is important, but most gardeners, when choosing varieties of paniculata phlox, focus on color. The table below shows popular plant varieties:

Preparing the landing site

When choosing and preparing a place for paniculate phlox, you should remember that this flower prefers well-fertilized, fertile soils and abundant watering, but does not tolerate stagnant moisture. When working with a plant such as paniculata phlox, planting is not difficult. It is only important to remember that they develop poorly and bloom on north side, in areas blown by prevailing winds, on slopes, as well as under the crowns of various conifers and with shallow root system trees such as birch, lilac, various varieties willows and poplars.

Phlox paniculata can be planted in poor soils, in partial shade and in the sun. You just need to remember that many dark-colored varieties can fade, and plants growing on uncultivated soils are unlikely to delight you with beautiful and rich flowering.

Phlox paniculata: planting and care

Considering that the bulk of the roots of this flower are superficial, the soil before planting is dug up shallowly, to a depth of 15-20 cm. Planting pits made 30 x 30 cm in size and filled with nutritious soil with the addition of complex mineral fertilizer. A distance of about 40 cm is left between the plants. Before planting phlox, the roots must be straightened and ensure that the stem is buried no more than 2-4 cm. After the flower is planted, the soil around it is compacted, mulched and watered abundantly.

How to care for paniculate phlox?

The right location, successful planting and regular feeding are, of course, important, but rich flowering can only be achieved if the soil under the phlox is constantly moist. Phlox paniculata care It doesn’t require much, basically it requires abundant watering - 15-20 liters of water for every 1 m2. Water better evening, after which the soil under the flower bushes needs to be loosened and preferably mulched.

Considering the high growth rate of the aerial part, paniculate phlox needs a large amount nutrients. It is recommended to carry out root and foliar feeding with wood or plant ash. Phlox responds well to saltpeter and superphosphate, which are best combined with watering.

How does paniculate phlox reproduce?

Most varieties of this flower produce and ripen seeds annually. However, there are, although very rarely, varietal lines that do not set seeds at all. This plant can be propagated in a variety of ways: root and leaf cuttings, root shoots, dividing the bush and planting seeds. Let's take a closer look at all these methods.

Cuttings

This method is usually used at the end of spring, breaking off cuttings 8-10 cm in size from the base of the root so that a “heel” remains. They are planted either in a special bed or in pre-prepared boxes with loose soil, after which they are sprinkled with a 3 cm thick layer of clean and coarse river sand. Then it is necessary to cover the plantings with glass or film. Some gardeners use regular plastic bottles large volume. The cuttings need to be sprayed 3-4 times every day, and after about a month they can be planted in a permanent place.

Reproduction by root shoots

With this method of propagation, it is necessary to dig up the root shoots and cut off the underground stolons with which it is connected to the mother plant. Some of the cuttings already have small roots, and they can be transplanted to a separate ridge, where they will grow to adulthood.

Growing from seeds

Propagating phlox paniculata from seeds is quite simple. You just need to remember that flowers obtained in this way may not retain or only partially display the characteristics of the parent plants. Before planting seeds for seedlings, you need to stratify them, that is, influence them negative temperatures. To do this, just place them in the refrigerator for 6-7 days. Then plant it in prepared soil.

Dividing the bush

Paniculate phlox can be propagated by division either in the spring, when the first shoots appear, or in late summer or early autumn. To do this, the bush is carefully dug up from all sides, carefully removed from the ground, inspected for damage and diseases, after which it is cut into several parts with a garden knife. Phloxes divided in the spring bloom in the year of transplantation, and those treated in the fall - only the next year.