Phlox are also known as flame flowers. Their flowers glow white, pink or purple and attract bees and other insects. How to plant and care for the flower, you can read in this article.
Phlox are impressive flowering plants, which are also called flame flowers. There are different varieties, but they all belong to the family of bulrushes. The best known is the tall flame flower – the perennial is often found in cottage gardens. A more ground-covering variety, for example, is cushion phlox.
The flowers of the flame flowers open in summer. They bloom in bright white, pink or purple while emitting a pleasant fragrance. The individual flowers are symmetrical and distantly resemble hydrangeas. They serve mainly as food for butterflies and bees.
Originally, flame flowers come from North America. However, the flowering plants have been cultivated for the garden since the 18th century. Since then, the number of varieties has multiplied and the flowers have found their way into gardens worldwide.
Read this article to find out how phlox can thrive in your garden.
Phlox in your garden
Most varieties of phlox are perennial, but there are also annual exceptions within the genus. Flame flowers also differ in size and shape. Therefore, before planting phlox in your garden, you should study the varieties in detail. To do this, it is best to go to a garden center for advice.
You should also consider the following points so that the flowers bloom lushly:
Location:
Phlox prefer a bright location with direct sunlight. This allows the flowers to dry more quickly after rain.
In principle, the more sun, the more intense the color and fragrance of the flowers.
Soil:
- The soil for phlox should be nutrient-rich, moist but still well-drained.
- Waterlogging should be avoided.
- Larger varieties usually have no problems with root competition, while smaller varieties do better with open as well as low weed sites.
Planting flame flower
Flame flowers are usually available in containers at garden supply stores.
Here’s how to go about planting phlox in your garden:
- You can plant the pre-pulled plants in the bed from spring to late summer.
- Only annual varieties should be planted in May at the latest.
- Because phlox grows vigorously under the right nutrient conditions, you should leave 20 to 40 inches of space between each plant.
- Generously enrich the soil with compost before planting.
- Dig planting holes, each slightly wider than the root ball of the young plants.
- Place the flowers in the hole, cover them with some soil, and then water them generously.
Care for phlox
The following points you should pay attention to, so that the phlox in your garden will thrive particularly splendidly:
- Especially during the summer months, the colorful flowers need sufficient water. So that the soil directly and the phlox does not dry out so quickly, you can mulch it with bark and leaves.
- Enrich the soil regularly (about every two months) with compost or organic fertilizer. This promotes a more colorful flowering of the flame flowers.
- After about three years, you can divide the perennial and move it to a new location. This will extend the life of the plants.
- Cut off the faded inflorescences regularly. This will encourage the plant to bloom again.
- In moist locations, phlox is susceptible to powdery mildew. It can be helpful to thin out the plant so that the flowers dry out more quickly after rain showers.
