Planting and care of phlox in the spring

Due to the fact that phloxes are unpretentious, and their flowering and pleasant aroma are attractive, many summer residents put these plants in their gardens. Their name was given to these flowers in connection with the bright coloration, so similar to the flame. This is how the word "phlox" is translated from Greek. But, despite the fact that these flowers are not capricious, they put forward their demands when planting in the open ground. Care for phlox in the spring also provides some rules.

Varieties of phloxes

In total there are 65 varieties of this plant, and according to the structure of the stem they are divided into erect, creeping and ascending. Planting and care for phlox in spring depends on the amount of free space in the country. If it is enough, you can plant creeping species that, like a multi-colored carpet, will cover the ground.

Phloxes have an amazing feature to adapt to external conditions. This species of plants has not yet been classified to the end, since it can be found both in the harsh conditions of Alaska, and in the hot desert and in the humid climate of North America.

Most phloxes are perennials, but in appearance they differ only due to the places of growth. For example, on the slopes of the mountains grow dwarf, moss-like phlox, which blossom in the spring.

There are species of this plant that prefer moist forests, and there are those that love sandy soil and sun. Naturally, the grade depends on which part of the garden and how to plant phlox in spring in the open ground. Most summer residents are planted shrub species of phlox, which do not take up much space, but give lush inflorescences with many flowers and a delicate aroma.

Place for planting phlox

To enjoy as long as possible flower beds, you should determine in advance where to plant phlox in spring and prepare the soil:

• The flower bed should be protected from cold winds in winter. Although phloxes are frost-resistant plants, it will be a pity to lose them because of the frosty and snowless winter with a dank wind. They like to be wrapped in snow during the frost.
• The site should have a slight shadow in the midday heat, for example, from fruit trees. This will protect them from burnout. In the sun, these flowers feel good, but the time of their flowering is somewhat reduced, so the fertilization of phlox in spring is mandatory.

• The flower bed must have access to watering or be located in the more humid part of the garden. If they are exposed to prolonged exposure to the sun without adequate moistening, then the lower leaves turn yellow, and the inflorescence becomes shallow and faded.

If the summer turned out to be hot, it is better to water in the evening.

Selection and preparation of soil

To have a brightly flowering flower bed with phlox, it is better to prepare the ground for planting in advance. Care for phlox in the spring is not too burdensome, if everything was done correctly in the autumn. Since these plants have shallow roots and they are distributed in the arable layer of the earth, it is sufficient to introduce 2 buckets of humus from 1 tbsp. Ash and mineral fertilizers at 1m ² during the autumn digging of the earth.

If the soil in the clay garden, it is better to add river sand in it, which will allow it to retain moisture during a hot summer. If the soil, on the contrary, is sandy, then dry clay should be added, ground to a powdery state.

It is also important to monitor before planting so that there is no stagnation of water in the soil, otherwise the plants will die. To simplify the care of phlox in the spring in the country, you can build an artificial hill or a hillock from the ground and on it to break a flower bed. It is recommended to plant the plant in April or early May, and this can be done at the end of August and in September.

Reproduction of phlox from seeds

It is good to plant annual varieties of this plant from seeds. For perennial species, this method of reproduction is unacceptable, since they often do not preserve generic characters.

Seeds of phlox should not be buried in seedlings, just put them on top of the ground and cover with a film, providing good lighting. You can also use peat tablets.

Care for phlox in spring when growing seedlings requires daily spraying of seeds and shaking from the film of condensate formed. When there are sprouts, you can lightly sprinkle the earth. Planting seeds of phlox on seedlings is best at the end of March.

Rising shoots can be transplanted into the open ground in May, keeping the distance between them 15-20 cm, which will provide them with enough room to form a lush inflorescence.

Reproduction of phloxes by roots

Root multiplication is used for perennial phlox species. It is not difficult to do this, the main thing is to prepare holes for new "residents" in advance. You can divide the plant both in spring and in autumn. It is important to remember that in this case, the fertilization of phlox in spring is laid directly in the prepared pit for a new plant.

You can divide the rhizomes in adult plants, which are 3 to 5 years old. They should be carefully excavated, cut off the stems of centimeters by 10 and cut the rhizome into several parts with a sharp knife. The soil in the wells must be moistened. The roots of the plant must be carefully spread over the hole, and then sprinkled with earth. If the procedure is carried out in autumn, next year new seedlings will give magnificent inflorescences.

Also phloxes can be propagated by axillary shoots, which are formed on the plant from July to mid-August. Escape must be carefully broken, leaving 1-2 internodes on it. Care for phlox in the spring is the same, even if they were cuttings transplanted since autumn. The main thing is to cover them for the winter from frosts, then the flowering in the spring will be lush and bright.

Feeding and watering phlox

Phloxes are very grateful plants, since they are not too demanding in care. They respond to good growth and beautiful inflorescences even with minimal efforts of their admirers.

Additional fertilization of phlox is carried out by the addition of humus or mineral fertilizers in the spring. They react well to watering them with urea, and you can also pour sloping grass or bird droppings, allow them to ferment and water plants.

It is important to loosen the soil, especially during the flowering period of phlox. As soon as it is necessary to release phlox from weeds.

In the hot summer it is better to water the flowers, especially in the evening, not allowing the soil to dry out. To avoid overheating, plants are best planted from the eastern, western or south-western side of the house or plot.

For northern territories with a continental climate it is better to plant phloxes on the side protected from the wind, where there is a lot of light. So, care of phlox in the spring in the Urals will be reduced to a minimum, if you choose a suitable place in advance and "feed" it.

Shilovid phloxes

The most common type of phlox, which gardeners prefer to plant, is the subulate variety. It can grow even under the most unfavorable conditions, but for a beautiful flowering and a bright aroma it is better for him to create an alpine hill or an earthen hill with a good drain of meltwater.

Care for stilotic phlox in spring is not burdensome, but you should always make sure that there is no stagnation of water on the ground, loosen the soil and carefully weed the weeds. These are the basic requirements, the fulfillment of which guarantees up to 5 years of dense and fragrant flowering.

Pests and diseases of phlox

Phloxes are seldom sick, but still, if the flowerbed is planted in the shade, they may show off powdery mildew or rust. If a plant is affected by a stem nematode, then it is urgently necessary to excavate it until it has passed to neighboring phloxes.