Phloxes are flowers whose name is translated from Greek as "flame". Small-sized flowers form a lush, but at the same time light flowering, filling with bright shades the entire space of the flowerbed. Despite the name, the palette of this species is wide - you can find not only fiery or pink shades, but also cold ones. Especially florists liked Phlox the Spread with flowers of a gentle blue color.
View description
Phlox Spread (or Spread) is a herbaceous perennial plant, belongs to the genus Phlox and the family Sinyukhovyh.
This species has creeping stems with a turf formed on them. It reaches a height of 20-30 cm. Its leaves are lacentate, juicy green. Inflorescences form a widespread scutellum, the petals are droplet-shaped, attached to the core by a narrow part. It is because of this structure of inflorescences that these phloxes are called "spread out". The flowers themselves have a size of about 3 cm in diameter.
Flowers of this species have a pale blue color.
The flowering period lasts a little longer than a month, from the end of May. Its splendor may vary year after year, but with proper care, the garden flower will bloom equally brightly every time.
Historical fact! Phlox the Widespread was officially described and introduced into the culture in the 18th century, but even before that it was known to botanists.
In nature, this plant originally grew in North America, in areas with stony, dry soil, as well as in moist forests. Now this plant can be found even in garden areas of central Russia or in Siberia.
Phloxes in Garden Design: Uses
Most often, phloxes are used in landscape design as a background plant. A light blue carpet of small flowers will perfectly fill the space near a rocky alpine hill, around an artificial pond, next to a gazebo or a spreading tree.
This species should be combined with other flowers and green plants to give the site a decorative look in other seasons. A flowerbed with “cold” phloxes of blue and white color (like the May Breeze variety) will look good.
Tip! After flowering, wilted phlox shoots need to be cut so as not to spoil the appearance of the flower garden.
Phlox Growth: Reproduction Methods
Phlox Splayed - garden flowers. You can grow them on the site in several ways, each of which has certain features. The main method of reproduction is vegetative.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
The fastest way to get several from one plant is to divide the bush into several parts. This is done in the fall or early spring:
- The bush is scooped up gently, excess soil is shaken off the roots.
- Several shoots are separated from it or the bush is divided into 2-3 parts.
- Each part is landed on the site separately.
Historical fact! Separation of parts should be carried out as carefully as possible, being careful not to damage the root system or the stem of the plant.
Propagation by layering
By layering, the bush can be propagated to the next flowering period. Since the stems of Phlox the Spread practically spread along the ground, even novice gardeners will not have problems with this method.
Young shoots can simply be pressed to the ground with a stone or attached to the ground with a bracket, not forgetting to periodically moisten the soil under them. Often in this plant, some shoots take root themselves.
In early spring, shoots with roots are disconnected from the mother plant and transplanted to a permanent place.
Seed propagation
Grow phlox from seeds - for a long time and energy. But in this way, experienced gardeners can grow a healthier plant than bought in the garden market or in a store.
Step by step:
- Prepare the soil mixture. For phloxes, humus, deciduous soil, peat and sand in equal parts are suitable.
- Pour earth into containers.
- Deepen the seeds 1.5-2 cm into the ground, at a distance from each other.
- Cover the container with a mini greenhouse.
Historical fact! It is necessary to take care of the seedlings - to spray the ground and let them ventilate every day. Immediately after the end of the cold weather, in early spring, the sprouted shoots can be planted in open ground.
Propagation by cuttings
Cuttings should be carried out in May, when the plant is gaining full strength. It is done like this:
- A young but strong shoot is cut at an angle; there must be two internodes on the cut shoot.
- Escape landed in moist soil.
- It is covered with a greenhouse (a plastic bottle is good).
After a couple of months, the cut shoot will take root, and next year it will be possible to wait for flowering.
Place for planting a flower
An ideal place for landing Phlox Staggered will be a semi-shaded area in the garden or a lit place, shaded by the shade during lunch hours. Therefore, this species is often planted under sprawling trees, tall bushes or next to arbors.
note! Areas where it is planned to create a rock garden or rock garden are well suited for planting. A nearby pond can be a plus, as it simplifies the task of frequent soil moisture.
A great combination of phlox and low shrubs
Soil for flowers
Loamy soils with low or medium acidity are well suited to phlox. In general, these flowers are unpretentious to different soil. To bloom more luxuriously, experts advise to plant phlox in more fertile soils, loose, air- and water-permeable.
It is important that the place is not swampy, the groundwater level does not rise to the roots of the plant. Too wet soil will lead to the death of the flower.
Care Tips
These flowers do not require special care. The set of actions is practically no different from caring for other garden flowers, but it is important to observe some nuances.
Watering and weeding plants
Phlox loves moist soil. If the place of planting flowers is in the shade, and near a pond or automatic sprayers - you do not need to water the plant.
In hot weather, especially if the flowerbed is in a sunny area, you need to water the plant every day a little. Water stagnation should not form. Watering is best done with settled cold water in the evening.
Since the soil around the phlox is usually quite loose, weeds often appear in it. They must be removed periodically so that beneficial substances and moisture are not taken away from the flower.
Top dressing
Proper top dressing will help increase the splendor of flowering and extend its period. In the case of phlox, you can alternate mineral and organic fertilizers.
Fertilizers are applied in late spring and early June. For these purposes, fit:
- chicken droppings and superphosphate;
- a mixture of fluorine and potassium salt;
- chicken droppings and potassium salt.
Each product is diluted with water, then the plants are watered.
Important! It is not necessary to fertilize phlox after a flowering period.
Pruning
Pruning is necessary for phloxes after a flowering period. Firstly, withered shoots will spoil the decorativeness of the flower garden, and secondly, it is easier to prepare flowers for wintering and the next flowering.
Trim so that the shoots remain about 10 cm above the ground. The base of the bush is then sprayed with fungicide.
Preparing phlox for the winter
The earth before the period of cold weather under the phlox needs to be mulched. Horse manure, peat and humus are suitable for this. Under one bush will go half a bucket of manure or 3 4 buckets of peat.
Top trimmed bushes are closed with spruce branches or tops from various plants. Additionally, it is not necessary to close the phloxes with burlap or other methods, they calmly tolerate frosts. In the spring, after the cold subsides, the spruce branches are removed.
Phlox Trimming Process
Phlox diseases and pests, combine flower with other plants
Phloxes are often exposed to diseases and pests if the flower garden is not adequately cared for. Loosened and moistened soil, weed removal and fungicide treatment are excellent prevention of any problems with these flowers.
How to deal with pests and phlox diseases:
- Slugs, snails, pennies, spider mites, thrips and nematodes will help the means of "Aktara", "Sumi-alpha", "Kinmix".
- Powdery rum, phomosis, septoria are cured by Bordeaux liquid, Fundazol, copper sulfate.
Any remedy must be used according to the instructions.
Phlox the Sprayed goes well in flower beds with large daisies, yellow or bright red tulips, with delicate shrubs.
Omens and legends
Phloxes from ancient times were overgrown with legends and signs. Since the name of the flowers has a "fiery" meaning, the legend of their occurrence on Earth is also associated with fire.
Phlox can decorate the house, if you cut them and put in a vase
On it, Odysseus, descending with his associates in the dark kingdom of Hades, lit torches. After his journey, the king and his soldiers threw torches to the ground, and phloxes appeared in their place after a while.
Interesting fact! It is believed that bright red or burgundy phlox can ignite a passion between lovers. But the pale blue ones will help to drive the mistress away from home.
Even those who do not believe in signs, this flower will bring positive emotions. Its pleasant aroma and bright flowering will fill the garden with a good mood.
