Phlox Is The Right Choice Of Place And Planting Subtleties. Features Of Carpet, Loose Shed And Bush Phlox. Photo

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Phlox Is The Right Choice Of Place And Planting Subtleties. Features Of Carpet, Loose Shed And Bush Phlox. Photo
Phlox Is The Right Choice Of Place And Planting Subtleties. Features Of Carpet, Loose Shed And Bush Phlox. Photo

Video: Phlox Is The Right Choice Of Place And Planting Subtleties. Features Of Carpet, Loose Shed And Bush Phlox. Photo

Video: Phlox Is The Right Choice Of Place And Planting Subtleties. Features Of Carpet, Loose Shed And Bush Phlox. Photo
Video: Briefly about Phlox. Planting/dividing perennial phlox and care. 2024, March
Anonim

Colorful garden phloxes are one of the most popular and irreplaceable herbaceous perennials. Their bright pastel colors adorn the gardens with special colored pillows. From rugs of bright spring phlox to blazing sheaves of summer favorites, all phlox conquer with their flowering. But they are all surprisingly different. Even in the requirements for lighting or soil, different categories of phlox, and sometimes their types, differ from each other. The selection of growing conditions and adherence to strict planting rules are key factors in growing phlox.

Phlox - the right choice of place and subtleties of planting
Phlox - the right choice of place and subtleties of planting

Content:

  • Features of the selection of conditions for phlox
  • Lighting for different types of phlox
  • Selection of soil characteristics for phlox
  • The best time to plant phlox
  • Selection of phlox divisions
  • Planting phlox
  • Phlox care in the first weeks after planting

Features of the selection of conditions for phlox

A wide variety of phlox often becomes a source of not only inspiration for finding original solutions in garden design, but also a variety of mistakes. Phloxes, which are divided into three categories - carpet, bush and loose-shedding - require a different approach to agricultural technology. Despite the fact that any of the representatives of the Phlox genus have many common features, they remain plants that require an individual approach.

The growth form and origin of different phloxes, their natural "habits" also determine where the plants will be comfortable in the garden. Even having decided on the category of phlox, it is still worth checking the requirements of individual species, which may differ from the general preferences of their fellows.

It is better to clarify information about plants when buying or exchanging them. Knowledge about the previous conditions in which phlox grew, as well as the usual care for them, can prevent many problems.

Despite the status of a universal, unpretentious perennial from the basic category, representatives of the Phlox genus are not such undemanding plants. They will not grow anywhere or in any soil. The quality of the soil is critical for flowering, and the seclusion of the site is critical for wintering. When choosing the conditions for these perennials, you should not ignore any of the parameters.

Lighting for different types of phlox

All phloxes can be considered light-loving crops that do not bloom well in shade. But the requirements for light intensity in different categories of these plants differ significantly.

All bush phloxes are more "flexible" in their lighting requirements and can adapt not only to sunny areas. For them, you can choose both an open area and partial shade. The optimal place for any bush phlox, especially tall varieties and phlox with rich, dark colors - areas with diffused lighting, in which the plant from the direct sun in summer will be protected by transparent crowns of shrubs and trees.

Strong shading is unacceptable for any phlox, we can only talk about shading at midday. Do not forget about the correction of conditions for a climate that differs from the middle zone. In conditions of extremely harsh winters, only the warmest, protected southern areas are acceptable for phlox, but in the south, shaded, cool-secluded places are chosen for phlox.

Carpet phlox and loose turf phlox are adorable light-loving, they do not create dense sod and do not bloom as a solid pillow even in light partial shade. But phlox stolon-bearing and spread-out prefer partial shade.

For spray phloxes, you need to choose secluded, not overheating in the sun, but still warm, protected areas. Protection of the transparent crowns of deciduous shrubs and trees is also considered ideal because in such places it is always better for snow to linger and accumulate, there is no sharp temperature drop even in the most unstable winters.

But it is imperative to take into account the characteristics of the shrub-woody environment: you can not choose either evergreen, coniferous, or densely leafy crops, or deciduous bushes and trees with roots close to the surface (like willow or lilac).

Protection from wind and drafts for bush-type phlox is of great importance, because they fall apart, lose their compactness and accuracy in unfavorable places. Carpet phlox are more drought-resistant and, due to the form of growth, do not suffer even on areas blown by the wind.

The relief of the area on which phloxes will be planted may be even, although this is far from ideal. Phloxes cannot stand only lowlands, depressions, places where there is a high risk of water accumulation during precipitation or melting snow. But if it is possible to plant phlox on a platform with a raised level or a slight slope, minimizing the risk of dampness, it is better to choose this option.

At the same time, phlox are suitable for slopes, slopes, complex reliefs only if we are not talking about a southern or western orientation and the ability to provide compensation for the drying out of the soil. Drought-resistant carpet phlox are even more sensitive to wet and low places than carpet.

When placing phloxes in compositions next to a house, buildings, objects of small architecture, it is worth considering the orientation of the objects themselves and their influence on the microclimate. Bush phloxes are planted from the eastern, western and partially southern sides of architectural structures and large buildings. The north side is absolutely not suitable for them.

Carpet phlox are very light-requiring
Carpet phlox are very light-requiring

Selection of soil characteristics for phlox

One of the most common misconceptions about phlox is that they can be grown in almost any soil. This is true, but only if the characteristics of the soil are suitable for a particular plant. Among phloxes there are those that can settle in dry or wet, light or medium, fertile and poor soil. But this does not mean that the same phlox can take root in different conditions. In the matter of the selection of soil characteristics, it is better to follow the principle of an individual approach.

Bush phloxes adore loams, soils with "average" characteristics - fertile, loose, well-developed, neutral and fresh. The content of mature organic matter and deep processing allows phloxes to actively develop, forming dense bushes with an innumerable number of shoots.

Carpet phlox are afraid of clay, dense and acidic soils, preferring light, not necessarily fertile, but water and air-permeable soil types (sandy loam and light loam), with drainage in places where there is a risk of water stagnation during snow melting. Of the loose sod phlox, only stolon-bearing and spread-out phlox like moist soils with a light texture.

The optimal pH response for bush phlox is 5.5 to 7.0. Carpet phloxes prefer a neutral reaction. Phlox stolon-bearing and spread-out - mild acidic reaction.

Very often, when choosing a planting site, they forget about another important factor - soil moisture. Carpet phlox grow well in light, dry soil. But loose sod and bush are much more demanding.

All bush phloxes require the selection of fresh, moist soils, similar to the natural conditions of forest edges, meadows and floodplains. If bush-type phloxes are planted in dry soil, then you should be prepared for regular watering. Carpet phlox are drought-resistant, loose sod prefer moist and fresh soil.

One of the main characteristics of the soil for growing bush phlox is a high-quality biological environment, a high organic content. The nutritional value of the soil is of key importance for them both for normal development and for flowering. Humus is a necessary condition for normal development even for carpet and loose-shed phlox (of the latter, only the adorable phlox prefers poor soils).

Even high-quality garden soil before planting phlox is desirable to improve. Processing is carried out in advance, when planting bush phlox - in the previous season or 3-6 months before planting with the optimal option. The minimum period that the soil needs to shrink and activate the development of the biological environment is 2 weeks before planting for any phlox. Pre-planting processing includes standard procedures:

  • Removal of rhizomes of weeds and debris.
  • Correction of soil structure with sand, peat, humus, compost, inert materials. For carpet phlox on heavy or damp soil, lay a drainage layer.
  • Application of mature compost, mature manure, ash, full of mineral fertilizers (only for bush phlox). The latter can be replaced with pre-planting feeding, the introduction of a full portion of potassium-phosphorus fertilizers to the bottom of the planting pits. The amount of fertilizers is a bucket of organic matter for each square meter of planting and 50 g of a mixture of mineral fertilizers.

The soil is dug to a depth of about 10 cm greater than the bedding layer of the main root mass of plants - about 30-35 cm. For phlox, digging is carried out as many times as necessary to achieve a homogeneous fine-grained structure.

Of loose sod phlox, only stolon-bearing and spread-out phlox like moist soils with a light texture
Of loose sod phlox, only stolon-bearing and spread-out phlox like moist soils with a light texture

The best time to plant phlox

Bush phlox can be planted throughout the active season, but there are risks and benefits when planting phlox in spring, summer or fall. In the fall, all phloxes of early and medium flowering are planted, but late planting increases the risk of their unsuccessful wintering.

Spring planting is preferable for dividing into several parts and for late varieties, but it also involves a reduction and delay in flowering and the need for more careful plant care. In summer, you can appreciate all the beauty of flowering and be convinced of the characteristics of the variety, but it will be much more difficult to keep the cut.

Autumn is considered the optimal time for separation, transplantation and planting for any phlox - with this option and a correctly carried out transplantation procedure, phloxes adapt perfectly, grow quickly and bloom fully next season. But, in principle, all three options are acceptable.

When determining the timing of planting, one should take into account the peculiarities of plant development:

  • In the spring, phlox are planted during the onset of growth, until the shoots have grown to 10 cm in height, focusing on the general development of plants. Standard dates are the third decade of April and the first decade of May.
  • In summer, phloxes are planted any time when cuttings are available, but taking into account the weather and the ability to compensate for the heat and drought with appropriate plant care.
  • In autumn, planting early and middle phlox (according to flowering time) is best done in the last decade of August or the first half of September, late - in the second half of September. The deadlines for planting phlox are limited to the first days of October. Later, phlox are not planted, but only dripped in, sprinkling with soil 10 cm above the renewal points and covering for the winter with several layers of dry leaves or peat alternating with non-woven materials. A full planting is carried out according to all the rules in the spring.

Carpet phlox and loose turf phlox are separated in early spring, at the beginning of growth.

Bush phloxes are transplanted with a frequency of 6-7 years. But the frequency of transplantation and separation is always better to determine by the state of the plant itself: profusely flowering phloxes often begin to degenerate, lose decorativeness in the center of the bushes after 5 years.

Carpet phlox are separated every 3-5 years, depending on whether measures have been taken to preserve the density of the sods through timely trimming.

Bush phloxes are transplanted with a frequency of 6-7 years
Bush phloxes are transplanted with a frequency of 6-7 years

Selection of phlox divisions

Selecting a variety, checking its winter hardiness, analyzing the characteristics of the climate in each specific case are the best keys to success. The more severe the winters, the greater the risk of losing mid-late varieties of bush phlox and the more important it is to choose early-flowering or medium-sized varieties.

Plants grown in local nurseries or local gardeners are always better than those grown in other regions or countries. But if decorativeness is the main reference point, then it is worth clarifying the maximum allowable temperature drop and measures to protect phlox for the winter.

In choosing phlox seedlings, the general rules are observed:

  • planting material in containers or with a large earthy clod is preferable: they do not allow the roots to dry out;
  • divisions should be strong, with thick, intact shoots, well-visible full-fledged renewal buds and high-quality roots;
  • for bush phlox, they choose delenki with 2–3 stems and leaves for autumn and 4–5 stems for spring;
  • the roots are shortened to 15 cm, and the shoots - up to 5-10 cm, in summer seedlings, the inflorescences are cut off as quickly as possible;
  • the bark should be rough and green, not discolored;
  • any traces of drying, stretching, darkening, breaking, crumbling, rotting or other damage to both roots and shoots should be avoided;
  • Delenki with full indication of the variety name and its characteristics are preferred.

Planting phlox

When planting phlox, it is important to avoid any compacted options. Bushes should develop and grow freely, without lack of free space. The optimal distance can be reduced by 10-15 cm only when landing with non-aggressive, little-growing or slow-growing partners. For bush phlox, the following minimum distances to neighboring plants are observed:

  • for undersized varieties and curb phlox - about 35-40 cm;
  • for medium-sized phloxes - 50-55 cm;
  • for tall varieties - 60-70 cm.

Carpet phloxes are planted at a distance of 25-30 cm. Loose sheds require a distance of at least 35-40 cm.

In the very process of planting, even for bush phlox, there is nothing complicated. Landing holes are prepared just before disembarkation. Their size is determined by the size of the root ball of the division - they must be free enough to straighten the roots. If fertilizers were not introduced into the soil in advance, they are poured onto the bottom of the planting pits.

There is only one obligatory procedure - abundant watering before planting and soaking for several hours in water or in water with growth stimulants for sluggish divisions. Plants are set as evenly as possible, spreading the roots evenly in different directions. The top of the rhizome of bush phlox should remain 3-5 cm below the soil line. The planting pits are gradually filled with soil, carefully tamping the layers. Planting bush phlox is completed with abundant watering.

Carpet and loose shed phloxes should also be planted in individual pits, with minimal damage to the roots and preservation of an earthen clod around the rhizome. The less the plant is injured, the faster it adapts.

Carpet and loose turf phloxes should be planted in individual pits, with minimal root damage
Carpet and loose turf phloxes should be planted in individual pits, with minimal root damage

Phlox care in the first weeks after planting

Planting any phlox is completed with watering. In the first few weeks after planting, until symptoms appear simple, soil moisture should be kept consistently light. Waterlogging for carpet phlox is very dangerous, but even in bush dampness can provoke the development of fungal diseases.

In the first weeks, care is reduced to controlling soil moisture, weeds should not be allowed to develop near the plants, and in case of unexpected temperature fluctuations, it is better to take care of plant protection with light cover.

Phlox planted in spring and summer require protection from drought and regular maintenance. In the spring, it is enough to compensate for the vagaries of the weather and take care of the prevention of pests and diseases. In the summer, regular watering and morning spraying should be included in the care program, with several treatments with a solution of growth and rooting stimulants.

Planting phlox in the fall always carries the risk of insufficient rooting before the frost period, especially if planting is carried out in early October. To improve the adaptation process and successful wintering, plantings must be mulched with any available material to protect against a sharp drop in temperature.

But mulching after planting is the best option for any other time frame. By stabilizing conditions, protecting plants from overheating and preventing the soil from compaction and drying out, a layer of mulch will allow phlox to adapt to new conditions faster.

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