Annual phloxes, planting and care in open ground. Flowers for the lazy. Phlox annual. Phlox Drummond How to grow annual phlox correctly

Thanks to the amazing properties of annual phlox, you can create exquisite designs in the garden. Plants of many colors are planted in unusually beautiful compositions, combined with other crops. Phlox is an annual plant; planting and what care they require will be discussed in this article.

Phlox has captivated many gardeners with its sophisticated beauty. They are undemanding in care and grow on different soils.

Features of annual varieties:

Annual phloxes, planted and cared for in open ground in accordance with the rules of agricultural technology, will delight you with a long flowering period and an intoxicating aroma from spring until frost.

Today there are more than 70 varieties of the plant, but only half of them are grown in gardens. Annual phloxes look beautiful on alpine hills, flower beds, along garden paths, in containers and pots.

The popular culture blooms in lush caps; one inflorescence contains more than 90 small stars - flowers with five petals. Annual phloxes: planting and care, photos and descriptions are given below. They have an amazing property - the ability to change their appearance depending on natural manifestations: on sunny days they become bright, on cloudy days their shade noticeably darkens.

Agrotechnics of cultivation and methods of propagation of annual phloxes

Annual phlox, planting and care in open ground - cultivation rules:

There are certain secrets to growing seedlings:

• Seeds are sown superficially, spread on the surface of the soil in February-March.
• During the period of seed germination, they need to be provided with a sufficient amount of heat (23-26 degrees) and moisture. They use the greenhouse germination method: the bowls with the crops are covered with film.



• After the formation of two pairs of true leaves, picking is carried out. Plants are planted in containers at a distance of 15 cm from each other. During this period, it is necessary to lower the temperature to 20 degrees Celsius.



• When 5 pairs of leaves are formed, the seedlings are pinched to form a lush bush.

Important! Planting seedlings allows you to achieve longer and more abundant flowering.

Annual phloxes: growing from seeds, when to plant? Seed material is prepared at the end of winter or early spring. It is early sowing that allows you to get early flowering - the end of May. The first shoots appear after 1-2 weeks. After the plants have become stronger and the threat of spring frosts has passed, the phloxes are planted in the flowerbed.

Phlox annuals - care

Planting annual phlox and caring for it in open ground is simple - do not interfere with the plant’s development.

Professionals offer the following care rules:

• In extreme heat, water the plant regularly and abundantly in the evening. After planting the seedlings, water the bushes every 2 days. For 1 sq. m of soil should contain about 20 liters of water.



• After rains, careful surface loosening of the soil is carried out. In mid-summer it is necessary to hill up the bushes to form a powerful root system. Loosen the soil at least 7 times during the growing season.
• Timely removal of weeds, which suck nutrients from the soil and additionally shade the bushes. In addition, only a clean flower bed looks neat and tidy.



• Constant pinching will help not only create a lush bush, but also increase the splendor of the buds.
• Regular application of nutrients, 4 times during the growth period: at the end of spring - with manure, at the beginning of June - with manure and superphosphate, in mid-July - with manure, in August - with potassium and phosphorus fertilizer.



Advice! Additional application of ammonium nitrate will help to form lush flower stalks.

It would be useful for a florist to know how to collect phlox seeds. Moreover, the procedure is very simple. To do this, you need to choose the fluffiest hats that have already begun to turn yellow. After the last flower has dried, they are cut off and placed in a fabric or paper bag. When the seeds are completely ripe and the boxes are dry, they fall out into the same bag. The gardener will only have to get the seed and sort it. Only large specimens are suitable for use. Until spring, the seeds are stored in a dark and dry place.

Dangerous diseases and pests of annual phlox

Light-loving phloxes are practically not affected. Fungi attack the plant only if the rules of care are not followed. The most dangerous diseases are:



Fragrant bushes are a favorite delicacy of naked slugs and caterpillars. The plant is also often attacked by nematodes.

Tricks of success

Professional gardeners have their own tricks that they use when growing lushly blooming phlox:




Success in cultivation is determined by the condition of the plant. In skillful hands, phlox blooms at the beginning of summer and pleases with its grace until the first frost. Some gardeners grow the flower as a potted crop.

Varieties of annual phlox

Annual phloxes, the planting and care of which in open ground do not require special work, are planted by many gardeners.

Phlox annual, varieties:

• Promise Pink is a compact bush, only 20 cm high. The color of the flowers is deep pink with an exquisite aroma. This variety is successfully used to create decorative flower beds and when grown in boxes and containers. The variety is planted along garden paths and for zoning areas.



• Twinkling star is a medium-sized bush, 25 cm high. The flower shape is a star with pointed petals. The variety is grown in flower beds and containers. This is what many people use to decorate balconies and loggias.



• Constellation is a variety with large flowers, the diameter of which is 3-4 cm. This variety impresses with its variety of colors. Even the most sophisticated gardener will be able to choose a shade to his liking. White, pink, yellow, orange, blue inflorescences add volume to the bush.
• Star rain is a tall bush, reaching 50 cm. The flower shape is a star. This is perhaps the most resistant variety to adverse weather conditions. The plant tolerates summer heat and winter frosts well. For abundant and bright flowering, it is recommended to plant the crop in sunny areas.



• Terry - a medium-sized bush of a new selection. It is impossible not to fall in love with this plant, because it blooms with large double flowers of various colors. Terry phloxes are most often used to create beautiful decorations for balconies and loggias.



When choosing a variety of annual phlox, you should be guided by personal preferences and climatic characteristics of the region. Fragrant flowers will become the hallmark of the garden plot and will delight you for a long time with their beautiful blooms.

It is difficult to find a garden plot without bright flowers. Most amateur flower growers try to replenish their flower collections with new specimens every summer season. Information about annual phlox, growing from seeds, when to plant, will help everyone who wants to place these wonderful annuals in their garden.

Annual phlox flowers description, photo

Phloxes are herbaceous, unpretentious plants of the cyanaceae family. The genus of phlox includes almost 85 species, approximately 40 are cultivated. They bloom very beautifully and have a pleasant aroma. Almost all phlox are perennials. Only one species is annual - Drummond's phlox.

It grows up to 60 cm tall and has a branched, erect stem. The leaves are oval-lanceolate, rich green in color, and arranged oppositely on the stem.

The flowers are not too large, 2–4 cm in diameter, five-petaled, the petals are arranged funnel-shaped. Very fragrant, brightly colored, collected in inflorescences of up to several dozen each. Blooms from June until frost. A ripe plant produces a fruit-box full of seeds. Thanks to selective breeding, today there is a wide variety of Drummond varieties.

On a note! Despite the variety of colors, salmon or pastel colored plants are more common.

Types, varieties of plants

The main characteristics that significantly distinguish Drummond varieties:

1. Flower shape. It can be star-shaped, wheel-shaped, terry.
2. Plant size. There are tall ones - 50 cm and dwarf ones - less than 20 cm.

Star-shaped plant varieties come in different heights from 12 cm to 40 cm; their distinguishing feature is dissected petals resembling a star. Popular representatives:

• “Star Rain” - the bush grows 50 cm high, is drought-resistant, blooms for a long time;
• “Twinkling Star” is a low-growing plant, less than 25 cm, very miniature, can be grown in an apartment;

Terry varieties that grow up to 30 cm in height are very popular. Dense inflorescences consist of double flowers of various shades. The most popular variety is “Promise Pink”.

There are tetraploid forms, the flowers of which are much larger than usual (more than 4 cm in diameter). Large-flowered representatives grow up to 30 centimeters. The inflorescences in red shades are especially attractive. Some representatives of large-flowered forms: “Tall bright red”, “Tall white”.

Popular low-growing varieties: “Defiance”, “Snow Globe”, “Salmona”, “Leukantenum”.

Notice! All Drummond varieties, except large-flowered ones, give good self-sowing, germinating the following summer.

Features of growing annual phlox from seeds

Annual phloxes are grown by sowing seeds directly into the ground or through seedlings.

The seedless sowing method is used in spring (late April - early May). Planting material is laid out on the ground, maintaining a distance of 4 centimeters. Then, carefully moisten and cover with film. The crops are ventilated daily, monitor the condensation on the film, and shake off the excess. After emergence of shoots, the film is removed.

The seedling method is used in early spring (early March, late February can be taken), taking into account the slow germination of Drummond seeds. After sowing, seedlings appear within 10-15 days, the main condition for their appearance is warmth (+22C). The appearance of the first two leaves on the sprouts is a signal for picking. They are planted outside at the end of May.

Attention! When sown directly in open ground, phlox will bloom in August.

Necessary conditions for growing seeds

Annual phlox seeds are difficult to germinate. They are covered with a dense shell. Therefore, they are not buried in the ground, they are laid out on top of the ground, moistened well, then covered with film or glass. Periodically remove the cover, ventilate the seed material, and carefully monitor the moisture content of the soil mixture. From time to time, the contents of the seedling container are moistened with a spray bottle. In about two weeks, shoots will begin to appear.

Timing of sowing seeds

Phlox Drummond seeds are frost-resistant, which makes it possible to sow it before winter. Crops can germinate during thaw periods. Therefore, they are either covered for the winter or sown in early December in the snow, sprinkled with dry soil and a thick layer of snow. This method is not very reliable.

Sowing seedlings in early spring will help avoid the risk of losing planting material. If this is not possible, then the seed material is planted directly in the flowerbed in April, three seeds per hole. Plants planted in this way bloom late, but bloom until frost.

On a note! If you use both planting methods, you can achieve phlox flowering all summer until late autumn.

Preparing seeds for sowing

For the seedling method of germination, the seeds are specially prepared. They are soaked for a day in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or soft water. Then they dry it and warm it in the sun. After a couple of hours, the seed can be used. The seeds are laid out on the moistened surface of the soil mixture and covered with film.

What containers are needed for sowing?

You can germinate Drummond in a bowl at least 10 centimeters high, since the root system of the plant is well developed. Wooden boxes, peat cups, special greenhouses or plastic containers are suitable. The latter are covered with lids, so it is more convenient. Containers must have drainage holes. It is better to use small containers so that they can fit freely on the windowsill.

Important! Annual phlox seeds germinate only when they are on the soil surface. They should not be buried.

Soil (composition, characteristics)

Land for seedlings can be purchased at a garden store. It is called “Soil for seedlings of garden and vegetable crops.” Requirements for the composition of the substrate - loose, fertile, light, with neutral acidity.

You can prepare the soil mixture yourself. Take equal parts of garden soil, humus, compost and mix. The mixture is heated in the oven to disinfect it. On the eve of sowing, the soil mixture is spilled with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, further disinfecting it.

Seed sowing technology

Seedlings can be sown throughout March; by the beginning of summer, the seedlings will begin to bloom. A specially prepared nutrient soil mixture is poured into a container (box) in a layer of 6–8 centimeters. Three days before sowing, the soil begins to be watered so that it is moderately moist. On the eve of planting the seeds, watering is stopped.

The seeds prepared in the above manner are laid out on the surface of the ground, maintaining a distance of 3 centimeters. If picking is not provided, the distance is increased to 8 cm. The container is covered with a lid and placed in a warm place.

Lighting is not needed yet, the main thing is warmth. While the seeds are germinating, the room temperature should be 22 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, the process may slow down. The seedling material is ventilated daily to prevent the formation of rot, and soil moisture is monitored.

On a note! Drummond seeds sprout in the dark.

Seedling care

When the first shoots appear, this is in about 10-15 days, the film or other covering is removed, and the container is exposed to the light. Carefully monitor soil moisture. At this stage, crops can be ruined by root rot if the soil is waterlogged. The soil should also not be allowed to dry out. While the sprouts are small, it is better to water them with a spray bottle.

Small seedlings begin to reach for the sun. To prevent them from stretching, the container with the sprouts is periodically turned on different sides towards bright light. Constantly monitor the uniform lighting of the plantings.

Young seedlings can begin to be hardened off. The air temperature in the room where it is located is reduced to 19 degrees. Carefully monitor soil moisture. Water as the top layer dries.

Caring for seedlings (hardening, picking)

Hardening of seedlings continues until the temperature conditions for its development approach those outside. Plantings will do well on a balcony or loggia if they are grown in an apartment. At first, while the weather is cold, the sprouts are brought out onto the balcony only during the day. It is preferable that the balcony be south-facing, otherwise it must be glazed. Plantings should not be placed in a draft.

Too bright sun is dangerous for young sprouts; they need light partial shade. Gradually, the seedlings become accustomed to fresh air. While they are not peaked, the temperature on the balcony is maintained at about 18 degrees Celsius. Watering the seedlings is done as the soil dries.

After two true leaves appear, the sprouts are ready for transplanting (picking). There is no point in delaying the procedure; large seedlings are less resistant to picking. They dive into separate containers filled with fertile soil mixture, trying to keep the roots intact. Newly picked seedlings are shaded for two to three days. Rooted sprouts continue to be hardened off, leaving them on the balcony at night.

After a week, the picked seedlings begin to be fed with complex flower fertilizer diluted with water. The frequency of fertilizing is once every two weeks before planting in the flowerbed.

Advice! Densely sown seedlings need picking. If the sprouts in the planting container are located at a sufficient distance from each other (about 10 cm), then picking can be omitted.

Choosing a site for planting, soil

The flower prefers sunny areas with fertile soil. It will grow in a shaded place, but the quality of the inflorescences will become worse. But the flowering period will increase. Wet planting sites should be avoided. High groundwater and lack of drainage will destroy the seedling.

Although it seems undemanding to the soil, Drummond will not be able to grow on acidic or heavy, soaking soils. Light loam works well. Sand, compost, leaf soil, and organic fertilizers are added to heavy loams. The flowerbed is prepared in the fall. Digging is carried out to achieve a crumbly soil structure. All necessary additives are added.

Remember! All annuals bloom much more brightly in the sun than under trees, and feel better in partial shade.

When and how to plant seedlings in the ground

With the appearance of buds, towards the end of May, the seedlings are planted in a flower bed. First, the seedlings are well watered so that they can be easily removed from the container. They dig holes. The distance between them is 15 or more centimeters, depending on the seedling.

The size of the planting hole should be comfortable for the root system of the sprout. The hole is filled with nutritious soil mixture and the seedling is placed there along with a lump of earth. If necessary, add more soil mixture, compact it gently with your palms, and water it with water. Then mulch with dry soil. For the next two weeks, the seedlings are watered every two days with moderately warm water, avoiding waterlogging of the soil.

On a note! If you pinch the main shoot of the seedling, the phlox bush will be lush.

Caring for annual phloxes (watering, fertilizing, tying)

After the plantings are “moved” to their permanent place of residence, the most labor-intensive part of the work of growing Drummond ends. Further care is not much different from caring for any flower crop. Necessary actions:

1. Regularly, moderately water the bush in the morning or evening, a bucket of water per 1 m2 of planting.
2. Loosen the soil around the bush 8 times per season.
3. In July, they hill up to form the root system, and pinch the shoots to create a bushy bush and speed up the start of flowering.
4. Regular feeding is carried out, three times during the summer. The end of May - with manure and superphosphate, the end of June - with fertilizer for flowering plants, liquid manure, the end of July - with ammonium nitrate.
5. Constantly mulch the ground around the bushes. Mulch prevents the soil from drying out.
6. They tie it up. Tall varieties need a garter, which protects them from damage by the wind. Tied to a peg or fence.

Important! Fresh manure should not be applied to phlox; various rots may occur.

Possible problems during cultivation

Drummond is considered an unpretentious flower crop, but it also has difficulties in growing:

• prefers well-lit places;
• the roots should not be allowed to overheat;
• stops blooming with insufficient or excessive watering;
• high air humidity inhibits growth;
• Without fertilizing it blooms poorly.

Solving these problems is not difficult if you want to decorate your garden with a bright specimen.

Diseases and pests (treatment)

All plants are susceptible to disease and are affected by various pests. Annual phlox is no exception.

Diseases

Fungal diseases: phomosis - leaves dry out, stems become brittle. For prevention, bushes are sprayed with colloidal sulfur in warm weather; Septoria - dark spots appear on the leaves, gradually growing. Treat by spraying the plantings and soil with Bordeaux mixture, repeat the treatment after 15 days; powdery mildew - a coating similar to flour appears on the bushes. Such a plant is dug up and burned; it is impossible to cure it.

Variegation. Petals and stems are covered with an ugly pattern. Cannot be treated. Sick specimens are dug up and burned to prevent infection of other plantings.

Verticillium wilt. The disease destroys the root system. The disease is typical for specimens growing in acidic soils.

Pests

Nematode. A thread-like, very small worm that sucks sap from stems and leaves. Diseased seedlings have thinner stems and smaller inflorescences. Such a bush is burned. The soil is treated with nematicides three times with an interval of twenty days.

Naked slugs. In the dark, they eat the lower part of the stem, inflorescences, and leaves. Dusting the soil with ash, tobacco dust, and fluff lime serves as a preventive measure and fights slugs. Systematic loosening of the soil and weeding will also help in the fight against them.

Butterfly caterpillars. Caterpillars are removed by collecting them by hand, and the plantings are treated with special preparations against leaf-eating pests.

Important! Many diseases are acquired along with planting material. Seedlings purchased at the market may be infected with the virus.

Flower care during and after flowering

The main care for Drummond during the flowering period consists of timely feeding. The abundance and varietal color of the grown specimen depend on them. This period can be divided into three phases:

1. Budding. Starts from the first days of June. Buds are actively appearing on the bushes. The use of fertilizers containing nitrogen is stopped. They can cause the stems to crack. Potash fertilizers with wood ash are used. Dilute a glass of ash and 10 grams of potassium sulfate in 10 liters of water. This cocktail brightens the color of the inflorescences and prolongs the flowering period. After ten days, feed with superphosphate at the rate of 15 g per 10 liters of water. Both feedings are done at the root.
2. Bloom. It occurs at the end of June - July, depending on the sowing method. If planting was done in open ground, then everything shifts by about a month. Fertilizing is carried out in order to improve the quality of inflorescences, increase the duration of flowering and prevent fungal diseases. It is carried out with special fertilizers with microelements, purchased in garden stores. To preserve the beauty of the bush, faded inflorescences are removed.
3. The post-flowering phase is the time for the formation of seed pods. This ends the life cycle of the annual phlox. The bushes can be left to overwinter under cover. They can overwinter and bloom. But these will no longer be the same beauties that were planted in the flowerbed the previous spring. Therefore, it is better to collect the seeds, remove the dried flowers and dig up the bed.

Remember! Any feeding is carried out in the evening hours. Liquid - after abundant watering. Dry (granulated) - before watering or before rain.

How to collect seeds

Preparations for harvesting begin when the plants are still blooming profusely. Select and mark the ones you like best by tying a string to the stem. Hybrid varieties marked F1 are not accepted. They do not retain varietal characteristics.

At the time of ripening, the seed pods begin to turn yellow; then, in dry and windless weather, in the afternoon, they are cut off along with the stem. For ripening, they are laid out in paper bags, on which the variety and color of the plant are indicated. They are stored in the same bags until the next season, placed in a dry, dark place.

Conclusion

By following all the instructions for growing annual phlox from seeds, and knowing when to plant them, gardeners will receive a wonderful decoration for their plot, as well as admiring glances and remarks from everyone who sees this miracle.

Video tips: rules for growing annual phlox from seeds

There is a belief that if annual yellow Drummond phlox is planted in a flowerbed in front of the house or in a box on the balcony, then material well-being will come to the family. The only way to confirm or refute the magical qualities of phlox is to grow these flowers. In any case, they will be a wonderful decoration for your yard or apartment.

Annual phlox flower - description

The vast majority of phlox are perennial herbaceous plants, the tops of which are decorated with small flowers collected in corymbose-shaped bunches. By cold weather, the above-ground stems of perennial phlox die off, and the roots overwinter in open ground, sprinkled with leaves and snow. In spring, new shoots sprout from the roots of perennials.

phloxes in the flowerbed

Annual phloxes need to be regrown every year. This is done through seedlings or by sowing seeds directly into the ground. Phlox seedlings turn into branched, lush, low-growing shrubs with colorful, dense inflorescences.

The size of phloxes and the intensity of their color depend on the growing conditions - mini phlox varieties with abundant watering and fertilizing, sufficient lighting can grow up to 1.0 m and be very bright; under normal conditions, these phloxes will not grow higher than 30 cm.

Drummond phlox in the flower garden

Reproduction of annuals

Annual phloxes reproduce by seeds. It was once believed that planting and caring for annual phlox was a very difficult task that did not always end successfully. Not everyone was able to see phlox sprout.

But then we noticed that sometimes in the spring self-sowing seedlings appear, the seeds of which fell to the surface of the soil in the fall and no one covered them with soil. And if rain and melted snow did not wash these seeds into the holes, they sprouted successfully.

Important! Phlox seeds require sunlight to germinate.

Phloxes are propagated in two ways. In southern regions and areas of mild temperate climates, seeds are sown directly on the soil surface. In areas with harsh winters, in the mountainous regions of the Urals and Siberia, seedlings are first grown. Annual phloxes, seedlings of which were grown from freshly harvested seeds, will be resistant to diseases and pests.

Necessary conditions for growing seeds

In order to successfully grow annual phlox, you need to follow several rules:

• For sowing, only large seeds from fully ripened seed pods are selected;
• to obtain large seeds on the mother plants, several stems with inflorescences and stepsons are removed, half of the buds are left in the inflorescences;
• Healthy, well-developed bushes are used as a mother plant; they are intensively fed and watered.

Additional Information: if the seeds do not have time to fully ripen in the seed pods before the onset of cold weather, the branches with pods are cut off, tied into bunches, placed in a gauze bag and left to dry completely in a ventilated area at room temperature.

To form a spherical bush and form numerous side shoots, phloxes begin to be pinched at the seedling stage. After the 5th leaf appears, the top of the central stem is either cut off or pinched by hand.

Preparing seeds for sowing

Dried boxes with Drummond phlox seeds are stored in a cold place - the basement, the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. Seeds are not removed from the boxes until they are sown. This is due to the fact that the seeds quickly dry out in the air and lose their viability.

A few days before sowing, the seeds are poured out of the testes and soaked in a pink solution of potassium permanganate for 10-15 minutes. The floating seeds are discarded, the rest are washed in running water. Then they are dried, spread on a paper towel, and planted in a nursery.

How to sow seeds for seedlings

Phlox seeds take a long time to germinate - up to 3-4 weeks. Therefore, seeds for seedlings are sown in early to mid-March. Placement boxes must have sides at least 5 cm high and drainage holes. Moistened soil substrate is poured to 3/4 of the height of the box. The soil surface is compacted with the back of a tablespoon or scoop.

Using a damp toothpick, seeds are distributed over the surface of the soil in rows at intervals of 3-5 cm and lightly sprinkled with a thin layer of sand. Sowing can also be indiscriminate - for this, the seeds are mixed with sand and scattered around the box as desired.

Mini-greenhouse conditions are created in the boxes: they are covered with glass or transparent plastic. Periodically check for signs of mold and pests, ventilate and moisten.

Note! Seeds can be sown immediately in individual containers, in which case there is no need to pick seedlings.

What does phlox seedlings look like?

After the seeds hatch, it will take at least 2-3 weeks for 2 pairs of true leaves to grow.

At this time, the plants are planted - transplanted into larger boxes; a distance of 8-10 cm is maintained between the bushes.

In three months, the plants will already have 5-6 pairs of leaves and the first buds.

Young seedlings

Rules for caring for seedlings

The containers in which the seeds are sown are kept at room temperature no higher than +25°C. After the seedlings appear, the boxes with them should be exposed to light for at least 12 hours a day.

If the seedlings begin to stretch, then reduce the ambient temperature to +15+18°C and lengthen the daylight hours to 14-15 hours. Lamps are used to artificially illuminate seedlings.

The soil in the seedling boxes is kept constantly moist. Avoid excessive watering, otherwise the roots may rot. Before planting in the flower garden, plants are fed with nitroammophoska or other complex preparations.

Attention! Phlox after transplanting into open ground will hurt for the first two weeks.

Unlike plants that grow from seeds immediately in a flower garden, the tips of the root shoots of seedlings suffer even with the most careful handling. Therefore, it is during this period that transplanted plants require timely watering.

Adult seedlings

Annual phloxes: care features

• Choosing a site for planting, soil

Perennials and annuals require the same growing conditions - nutritious loose soil with neutral acidity, moderate occurrence of soil water, a plot of land well protected from the wind, and plenty of light.

• Flower care during and after flowering

A well-established flower grows a stem and increases the number of leaves, producing many inflorescences that form a dense bunch. Plants need good nutrition, which comes through the roots along with moisture.

Watering is carried out as the soil dries. Do not allow the formation of a surface soil crust - carry out regular, careful loosening.

Make sure that there are no weeds in the root zone and near the plants; they constantly pick off wilted, dried flowers along with their stems.

• Preparing for winter

Attention! In autumn, the seed boxes are cut off from the mother plants, the stems and rhizomes are removed, the soil is dug up and work is carried out to increase the fertility of the flower garden.

How to feed phlox for abundant flowering

During the entire flowering period, it is necessary to carry out 3 nitrogen mineral fertilizing, alternating with organic fertilizers - aqueous extracts of ash, chicken droppings containing potassium and calcium, and herbal infusion.

The first nitrogen fertilizing is carried out before planting seedlings in the flower garden. Then the condition of the plants is observed. Signs of a lack of nutrition will be yellowing of the leaves, inhibited growth of stems, and a decrease in the size of flowers.

Why don't perennial phlox bloom?

Perennial or annual phloxes will not be able to bloom if they grow in dense shade.

Their stems will become thinner and elongated. The plant will devote all its strength to getting to the sun, because without it the processes of photosynthesis will not take place, and there will be no strength left for flowering.

In addition, planting and caring for annual and perennial phlox should ensure that the plants do not suffer from a lack or excess of moisture and nutrients, do not get sick and are not attacked by pests.

What to plant next to phlox

The various varieties of Drummond complement each other well.

Phlox star rain

For example, the colorful colors of the Star Rain variety allow you to create compositions only from plants of this species.

But still, if you plant chrysanthemums, delphiniums, aquilegias and double Drummond phlox nearby, the flower garden will become a decoration for any garden plot or flower bed in a park area.

Pests and diseases - how to deal with them

Modern experienced gardeners know that various herbal decoctions and folk remedies can repel pests and slow down the development of diseases. But only professional methods based on chemical and biological preparations will help destroy insects and cure diseases.

Yellow phlox

• Snails and slugs. Loosen the soil in a timely manner, sprinkle the paths near the phlox with ash, collect by hand and destroy.
• Nematodes. No high-quality protective measures have been invented - it is better to pull out and destroy affected plants, preventing the spread of the pest.
• Scoops. Collect caterpillars by hand. In case of severe damage, use insecticides.
• Penny is slobbering. Remove damaged leaves and treat with garlic infusion.
• Green wood bug. Spray phlox with onion infusion.
• Cruciferous flea beetles. Dust phloxes with wood ash in the morning.

Control measures depend on the specific disease or pest.

Growing annual flowers requires additional time associated with sowing seeds and planting seedlings. But even if a gardener has to take time away from household chores in order to plant and care for plants throughout the summer season, he will do it without hesitation. After all, beauty is worth it.

Among summer residents and amateur flower growers, phlox flowers enjoy well-deserved fame. The plant, which is native to North America, has spread throughout Europe. Annuals have the greatest variety of varieties, shapes and shades, compared to perennial phloxes. Terry, star-shaped, cream, white, blue, different shades of red - here is a small list of flower diversity. By the way, the flowering period of perennials is longer - from June to October. Flowers can withstand light night frosts in autumn, pleasing the eye with lush blooms and a unique aroma.

Annual phlox is an unpretentious plant that is not picky about soil and watering. But it prefers to grow on fertile soil, in a well-lit area. In the sun, the color becomes brighter, the green mass becomes denser. You can notice how the flowers fade in cloudy weather.

Growing seedlings

Phlox annual is grown seedlings to achieve longer flowering. Plants grown from seedlings bloom from June to September, and those sown in the ground in May take a long time to germinate and bloom in late August - September. Phlox seeds can be sown in the ground in October, but the bed must be covered with straw and leaves for the winter to protect the seeds from frost.

Sowing seeds for seedlings held in March. The seeds are laid out on the surface of the soil, slightly pressed into the ground, and covered with film. The main thing is that the air temperature in the room with seedlings does not fall below 23 °C. Water the seeds by spraying from a spray bottle, ventilate daily, shaking off moisture condensation from the film. After about ten days, shoots appear.

When two true leaves appear on the seedlings, perform picking seedlings and replanting into separate pots. After picking, the sprouts must be protected from direct sunlight for two to three days. The sprouts easily tolerate picking. Seedlings need to be fertilized with mineral fertilizers two to three times before planting in open ground.

Transplanting

In May, with the onset of stable warmth, annual phlox seedlings are planted in a permanent place. The plant loves space and grows, so the interval between sprouts should be at least 15 cm. Phloxes look good in flower beds, along borders, their height ranges from 15 to 50 cm. When combined with other flowers, phloxes are combined with snapdragons, bells and others.

Caring for a flower garden with phlox

To ensure abundant flowering, the plant needs regular loosening of the soil, watering and fertilizing. For fertilizers Phlox is diluted with nitrophoska - 20 g per bucket of water. Plants are watered with this solution two to three times per season. You just have to remember that these flowers do not like waterlogged soil.

To develop side shoots, pinch the tops of young plants. It is recommended to remove faded flowers to maintain the attractive appearance of the flower garden.

Annual phloxes look good as an addition to flower beds and alpine slides. They can be planted in containers (old buckets, boxes) and placed near the house. Thanks to the large green mass and the development of side shoots, you will get a flowering ball that decorates the yard or porch.

Seed collection

Ripe seeds fall out of the boxes onto the ground, so in order to select the flowers you like for propagation, you must follow these steps.

Such a herbaceous plant as Phlox is directly related to the blue family (Polemoniaceae). This genus includes approximately 70 species, with approximately 40 species being cultivated. Phlox first began to be grown in European countries in the mid-18th century. Today, thanks to breeders, about 1.5 thousand different varieties of such flowers have appeared. From Greek “phlox” is translated as “flame”. This is how this plant was named by K. Linnaeus in 1737, and that’s all, because in some of the phlox species the flowers have a very rich color. Under natural conditions, such flowers can be found in North America. Due to the fact that the climate of those places is quite harsh, the plant is distinguished by its low maintenance and vitality. And phlox flowers are incredibly fragrant, and the flowering itself is long-lasting.

Phlox, even of the same species, can differ greatly from each other, and this is influenced by the characteristics of the climate in which the flower grows. So, for example, those plants that grow at an altitude of 4 thousand meters are bryophytes and have a fairly short stature, only 5–25 centimeters. Their branching stems are covered with evergreen leaf blades. If the plant grows in favorable climatic conditions, then it has an upright bush that can reach 30–180 centimeters in height. Subshrubs are also found. These plants also differ in flowering time. So, there are early (spring), middle (summer), and late (summer-autumn). The most common are upright varieties and species. Sessile, entire, oppositely arranged leaves can be elongated-ovate or lanceolate-oval in shape. The diameter of the flowers varies from 2.5 to 4 centimeters. They have a tubular-funnel shape and are part of a complex inflorescence. So, one inflorescence can have up to 90 flowers. The flower consists of 5 stamens, 5 slightly bent petals, and 1 pistil. Most phlox species are perennial plants. However, Drummond phlox (Phlox drummondii) and its various forms and varieties are considered annuals.

Main types and varieties

Phlox annuals

The best annual phlox grown in the garden is Drummond. The Englishman G. Drummond, who was a naturalist, traveler and theologian, brought it to England from Texas in 1835. In England, this flower has taken root. Flowering for this plant begins in June and ends with the onset of the first frost. The oppositely located leaves have a lanceolate-oval shape. The thin stem is quite branched, and it reaches a height of 20–30 centimeters. The colors of the fragrant flowers are dark red, yellow, purple, white and salmon.

Plants of this species are divided into 2 varieties, namely: large-flowered and star-shaped. Phlox in height Drummond's stellate(Phlox drummondii cuspidata), as a rule, reaches 30–40 centimeters, but more compact plants (up to 12 centimeters) are also found. The dissected petals give the bright flower a resemblance to a star, in the center of which there is a peephole. Phlox Drummonda grandiflora(Phlox drummondii mixed) - its height, as a rule, does not exceed 30 centimeters. Its flowers are quite large in size and can be painted in various colors. But plants with flowers in red shades are more impressive.

Flower growers also divide these plants according to size into dwarf ones, which reach a height of 15 to 20 centimeters, and large-flowered ones. Varieties classified as large-flowered: Tall fiery red, Tall white and Tall bright red. Varieties related to dwarf phlox: Shamoa (pink), Salmona (salmon), Snowball (white), Isabella (yellow) and Defiance (fiery red). All varieties of this type of phlox have both semi-double and double varieties. The most popular are terry flowers of the Promise variety in various colors.

Phlox perennial

The earliest type of phlox belonging to perennials is, its flowering begins in May. The plant itself is highly branched and blooms profusely. During flowering, the bush is completely covered with flowers, which can be of various shades from dark red to pure white. The leaves are narrow, awl-shaped, which influenced the name of the variety. This plant is suitable for decorating alpine slides and rockeries.

Phlox blooming spread out it also begins in May, but 7–14 days later than phlox subulate. Compact bushes are decorated with small bluish-lilac flowers. This species loves light less than the previous one, and it also has less dense, but larger foliage and woody shoots.

Phlox paniculata blooms in mid-summer. This species is very popular among gardeners. It has spectacular green leaves and fairly large inflorescences consisting of many fragrant beautiful flowers.

― thanks to this species, a large number of very interesting varieties have appeared. Thus, among them, the terry phlox Pure Feelings stands out, in which fairly large inflorescences consist of white flowers, a green stripe runs down the center, and purple flowers are located in the lower part. The elongated petals are slightly curled. The bush can reach a height of 70 to 80 centimeters. Natural Feelings terry phlox also deserves special attention. The inflorescences, similar to the flowering branches of lilac, consist of small greenish-white-pink flowers. Also, thanks to breeders, frost-resistant varieties have appeared, for example, Orange phlox (Orange Perfection, Orange Spat), the flowers of which are painted in various shades of red-orange, which do not fade when exposed to sunlight. They are undemanding, easy to reproduce and have a spectacular appearance. The most popular variety is Phlox King. The bush can reach 100 centimeters in height, the flowers of such a plant are quite large (diameter about 4 centimeters) and can be painted pink, white, crimson, lilac, as well as other color shades.

When grown correctly, flowering phlox can decorate your garden from spring until the onset of autumn frosts. The most popular method of propagating such plants is vegetative (by layering, cuttings and dividing the bush). However, some gardeners prefer propagating phlox by seed. Perennial seeds freshly collected in the autumn must be sown in the soil in the winter (in November or December). First you need to decide on the area where these plants will be grown for several years. If snow has already fallen, it should be removed from the garden bed and simply scatter the seeds over the surface of the soil, trying to leave a distance of 4–5 centimeters between the seeds. After this, you need to pour a small (about 1–1.5 centimeters) layer of pre-sifted soil on top of them. And then cover everything with snow again. You can purchase soil in a special store or collect it in advance. Freshly sown seeds have a germination rate of approximately 70 percent. But with the onset of spring it decreases significantly. At the very beginning of spring, phlox shoots will appear in the garden bed. They should be picked only after they have formed 2 pairs of true leaves. The distance between plants should be about 20 centimeters. Planting of such seedlings should be carried out within the prescribed period.

As a rule, phlox, which is an annual plant, is propagated by seeds. To do this, in the spring, you should sow the seeds, leaving a distance of about 3–4 centimeters between them. Then you should water with a sprayer and cover the bed with plastic wrap. You should not sprinkle soil on top of the seeds, but you need to raise the cover for a while every day and remove any condensation that has formed. After the first shoots appear, the shelter should be removed.

Growing such plants from seeds is discussed above. However, there are gardeners who are afraid of night frosts in the spring, which can destroy the plant, so they prefer to grow seedlings at home. Seeds are sown at the beginning of spring (March). The first shoots can be seen just 7 days after sowing. Young plants need to be provided with a sufficient amount of light, watering, and moderate temperature conditions. 14–21 days after emergence, the plants need to be pruned. After the picking is done, it is recommended to shade the phloxes from direct sunlight for several days. They can be covered with newspaper sheets or opaque film. While the seedlings are growing in the house, you can add mineral fertilizers to the soil 2 or 3 times, using ½ of the dose recommended for adult phlox. To make the bush more lush, after 4 or 5 true leaves appear on it, pinch it.

Seedlings are planted in May, leaving a distance of 15 to 20 centimeters between the bushes. To successfully grow phlox, you need to choose a suitable place. Annual phloxes are not afraid of cold and drought, they love light, but react negatively to overheating of the roots. The most spectacular plants grow in partial shade. It has been noticed that the more the area is shaded, the longer the plant will bloom, but at the same time fewer flowers will grow on it. It should be noted that most varieties fade in the sun during the flowering period. But this does not threaten plants in partial shade. The color of their flowers remains rich for a long time. Particularly beautiful are the “blue” varieties growing in a shaded place, the flowers of which become almost blue in poor light. To plant phlox, it is recommended to use high beds, next to which there are no bushes or trees with a fairly extensive root system.

Such a plant needs soil that contains a lot of humus. Please note that the plant may die in heavy soil with poor drainage. If you have chosen an area with acidified soil for planting, then you must add lime to it. The most suitable for growing such flowers is fertile sand, which does not contain clay. If you water the plants planted in it well, they will grow powerful and beautiful. Before planting phlox in heavy loam, it is necessary to add organic fertilizers, sand, and peat. Prepare a not very deep hole for the plant and be sure to pour compost, vermicompost or 2 handfuls of wood ash into it. The roots should be spread horizontally.

Growing annual phlox is not difficult. So, they need to carefully loosen the top layer of soil 6-8 times per season; in the second half of the period of intensive growth, they need to hill up the plant during loosening, for better and faster formation of the root system. Organic and mineral fertilizers should also be added to the soil. In the last days of May, you need to feed the phloxes with liquid manure for the first time (25 g of the substance is taken per 10 liters of water). The second feeding is carried out in the first days of June, but at the same time superphosphate or potassium salt must be added to the prepared liquid manure. In the first days of July, liquid manure (without additives) should be applied to the soil for the third time. In the last days of July, you should feed the plant 4 times, and the fertilizer should contain potassium salt and phosphorus.

Plants should be provided with systematic moderate watering in the morning or evening. When watering, water should be poured at the root, and 15–20 liters of water should be used per 1 square meter. If you water phloxes with cold water on a hot day, this can lead to cracking of their shoots. It is recommended to pick off wilted flowers, because they interfere with those that have not yet bloomed.

Phlox can develop variegation. In this case, a pattern unusual for this plant appears on the surface of the leaves and flowers, which significantly worsens the decorative qualities of the flower. A diseased plant cannot be cured, so it must be dug up and destroyed. If phloxes become infected with powdery mildew, they will also need to be destroyed. You can tell that a flower is sick by the matte white coating that appears on the foliage and shoots.

Such a plant can also become ill with formosa, in which case the leaves dry out and the stems become brittle. For preventive purposes, it is necessary to treat foliage and shoots with colloidal sulfur. It should be taken into account that during processing the air temperature should be above 18 degrees, and the substance should not be allowed to come into contact with the inflorescences. When infected with septoria, dark brown dots form on the surface of the foliage. As the disease progresses, they increase in size. The diseased plant must be treated with Bordeaux mixture, as well as the surface of the soil near it. After half a month, repeated treatment is carried out. Verticillium wilt has a detrimental effect on the plant's root system, but only those phloxes that grow in acidic soil are susceptible to this disease.

A nematode (a very small thread-like worm) can settle on the plant and suck the juice out of it. A sign that phlox has such a pest are disfigured inflorescences, crushed flowers and thinned shoots. The infected plant is dug up and destroyed (burned). The soil must be treated 3 times with nematicides, and an interval between treatments should be maintained at 3 weeks.

Naked slugs can eat leaves, flowers and even the lower part of shoots at night. Systematic loosening of the soil and weeding is an excellent preventive measure against slugs. In case of severe infection, it is recommended to sprinkle the soil surface with wood ash, fluff lime or tobacco dust mixed with ash. Any butterfly caterpillars on the foliage can be removed manually. In case of severe infestation, plants are treated against leaf-eating pests.

Planting and caring for annual phlox

Planting such phlox is very similar to that used for annuals. However, when planting plants in the spring, it will be necessary to pour a layer of mulch (humus or dry peat) onto the soil surface. The distance between the bushes should be left quite large (about 50 centimeters), since in a few years they will grow quite strongly. When purchasing seedlings of such flowers in the autumn, they should not be planted in open ground. It is recommended to bury the seedlings to a depth of 20 to 25 centimeters, choosing for this an area protected from gusts of wind; it should also retain snow in the winter. After the soil freezes, cover the plants with dry leaves or peat.

Sometimes it is possible to plant perennial phlox in open ground in the fall. A bush that has grown and lost its beauty can be divided in the autumn (from mid-August to mid-September). For planting, the side divisions are used, and the central part is thrown away. In autumn, phloxes that were planted in the spring from cuttings are also transplanted to a permanent place.

During autumn planting, compost should be added to the soil, peat should be added to sandy soil, and sand should be added to clayey soil. The holes are placed at a distance of 50 centimeters from each other. The divisions are lowered into them and the roots are straightened horizontally; they should be dug shallow (about 4–5 centimeters). In dry weather, watering is carried out every 2–3 days (within 14 days). Take 2 liters of water per bush. The dried surface of the soil must be loosened and sprinkled with a four-centimeter layer of mulch (humus or peat).

Care rules are similar to those used for annuals. But such plants need to be fed 5 times per season, with the last time fertilizers are applied to the soil during seed formation. For feeding, a solution consisting of 5 liters of water, 10 g of superphosphate and 5 g of potassium sulfate is used. You need to feed in the evening after watering, but do not allow the solution to get on the foliage. If you care for the plants correctly, they can be grown in one area for 7 years.

Cuttings of these plants can be carried out during the entire period of intensive growth. The cuttings begin at the time when the stem reaches a height of 5 centimeters, and the end occurs in the last days of September. Cuttings taken from the plant in spring and summer take root best. The plant can also be propagated by layering. Before the plant blooms, its shoot is bent to the surface of the soil, fixed along its entire length and covered with a mixture of peat and humus. In autumn, a young plant is separated from the mother bush and planted in a permanent place.

Features of care after flowering and in winter

Annuals can grow in the spring of next year, but their decorative qualities will be low. Having collected ripened seeds in the autumn, remove the remains of the plants and dig up the soil, removing the remaining rhizomes.

During the snowless winter period, the growth buds of phlox will most likely freeze out at temperatures of about minus 10–15 degrees. If it is colder than 20–25 degrees, this will lead to the death of the root system. In this regard, in the autumn, the dried upper part of the plant must be removed, and the root collars must be covered with a layer of soil mixed with peat. They should be covered with dried leaves, straw or spruce branches on top. With a snow cover of 50-60 centimeters, phloxes can easily withstand thirty-degree frosts.