Generally, the low growing species are more resistant, while the tall growers are more likely to have problems. Species vary considerably in their susceptibility. Start by choosing species and cultivars that are known to have resistance to powdery mildew. Because these conditions are typical of South Carolina weather, it is important to take steps to prevent or control the disease. Warm humid conditions favor powdery mildew growth and spread. Powdery mildew can severely weaken susceptible phlox cultivars. It typically covers lower leaves with a grayish-white, powdery fungal growth in spring or late summer, and gradually works its way upwards on the plant. Powdery mildew is by far the worst and most common disease of phlox. Avoid companies that sell wild collected plants. When purchasing native plants, be sure to buy plants that are nursery grown and propagated. Also, wild collected plants often do not survive transplanting. Tall growing phlox should usually be divided at least every 3 years to prevent overcrowding.ĬAUTION: Do not collect native wildflowers from natural areas, as this can lead to their eradication in the wild. Most phlox can be propagated by division or cuttings, and this will maintain the original variety true to type. Natural reseeding can be desirable in natural or wild gardens. If maintaining a particular color is important, self sown seedlings should be removed. Phlox may re-seed in the garden and seedlings will usually revert to the wild species coloration and habit over a few generations. Tall phlox include Carolina phlox, spotted phlox and garden phlox. Low growing phlox for shade include woodland phlox and creeping phlox. Low growing phlox for sun include hairy phlox and moss phlox. For gardeners purposes, phlox can basically be divided into three groups of perennials – low growing sun lovers low growing shade lovers and tall, upright phlox that prefer sun or part shade. Tolerance of sun, shade, heat, and soil varies by species. Spring blooming species generally have a short, intense bloom period of 2 to 3 weeks, while summer flowering phlox may bloom over several months if old, spent flowers are removed regularly. Bloom time varies from early spring while daffodils are blooming to mid-to-late summer. Flowers have five petals and are held in cluster above the foliage. Some cultivars have flowers with multiple colors, often with a contrasting eye zone or petal edge. Wild species and virtually all cultivars bloom in the cool color range, ranging from white to pink, rose, red, magenta, purple, and blue. Some species are so completely covered with flowers while in bloom that it is impossible to see any leaves. Phlox are highly attractive to butterflies. Phlox are grown for their abundant flowering, with most phlox species and cultivars also having a light sweet fragrance. Phlox generally grow at a moderate to quick rate, depending on species, cultivar and growing conditions. Growth habit varies as well, from low, mounded sun-lovers, to low spreading woodland phlox with upright flower stems, to strongly upright narrow types. Numerous species of phlox are grown, with height varying between 3 to 6 inches for moss phlox ( Phlox subulata) to 5 feet tall for the taller varieties of garden phlox ( P. This can sometimes make definite identification to species difficult. Because there are so many different species and cultivars, and they hybridize freely even in the wild, there is great variation throughout the genus. Many of these species are also native to the southeast or South Carolina. Because they are so commonly cultivated, it is little known that all phlox species are native to the United States. Several hundred named varieties of different phlox species are grown. Phlox include a large group of mostly perennial plants widely used in gardens.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |