Let It Grow
By Tammy Thornton
Just when you think the summer garden has nothing new to offer this time of year, along comes late-blooming garden phlox. Not to be confused with creeping phlox that grows low to the ground in spring, garden phlox, phlox paniculata, (also known as summer phlox, tall phlox, and fall phlox) towers over the other flowers, boasting its arrival with huge clusters of showy flowers.
Pollinators will also notice the star-shaped flowers that have a tubular base, making them attractive to hummingbirds as well as butterflies and bees. These perennials range in color from white to various shades of pink, purple, and red. In my garden, my favorite variety has white flowers with purple eyes (centers), but I also love the soft pinks against the lavender flowers of my vitex (chaste tree). Along with daisies, catmint, and foxgloves, garden phlox is a classic must-have in any cottage garden or herbaceous perennial border garden. Don’t let the small plants emerging in spring fool you; garden phlox can reach heights of three to four feet or more, so plant it near the middle or back of your garden. When the plants die back from the first frosts in the fall, cut the stems to half their height or to the ground. For the most dramatic visual effect, plant masses of phlox in the same colors together, this will also make the flowers very evident for pollinators passing by. Provide your phlox with a sunny location and rich, moist, but well-draining soil.
Because of its tall stem and heavy-laden head of flowers, garden phlox may need support to keep it from flopping over. I use bamboo stakes and try to conceal them among the foliage. As the flowers fade, cut them back and you may get another round of blooms by early fall. New plants are best propagated through non-flowering stem cuttings in the summer or by dividing the clumps in the spring.
Though phlox is easy to grow, one of its most common problems is powdery mildew. Be sure not to overcrowd phlox to allow for good air circulation, plant phlox in a sunny location, and water plants early in the day so that leaves can dry in the morning sun. When buying new plants, look for powdery mildew resistant varieties.
Normally, I don’t focus on the symbolism of flowers, but phlox is said to symbolize harmony, partnership, and compatibility. We could all use a little more of those attributes in our life, and the garden is the perfect place to start.
Shore Local News would love to hear from our readers. If you have an idea for a gardening topic or have questions or comments, please write to: shorelocalgardener@gmail.com.
Tammy Thornton is a mom of four, a substitute teacher, and a Sunday school teacher. She is passionate about gardening and cooking, and loves the beach.
