How to feed awl-shaped phlox. Growing and caring for phlox subulate, photo

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Decisive factors What makes this flowering perennial plant so popular is its ease of propagation, cultivation and rich flowering. On fertile soils, subulate phlox grows quickly, covering the areas allocated for this crop with a flowering carpet. The vegetative flowering period of most species occurs in July - August; under favorable conditions and the use of certain agrotechnical techniques, it can be extended until late autumn.

In areas with fertile soil, this plant grows quickly, creating an intense flower patch. Phlox subulate - photos of this species can often be seen in catalogs of landscape designers.

Among the most common varieties you can find miniature species up to 25 centimeters and large tall specimens that grow up to 120 centimeters. A variety of colors ranging from white to red and even purple, through shades of pink, allow you to create magnificent landscape compositions. Individual groups The latest generation of phlox can be two-colored. Particularly popular among bicolor species are varieties such as Flame Eye and Mint Twist.

The culture is one of the five main perennials spring bloom. This flowering plant belongs to the cyanaceae family, native to the eastern regions of North America.

Phlox subulates are one of the most common species for growing rock gardens. After disembarking, this ground cover plant After a short period of time it forms a dense decorative layer. Looks great on the slopes. A powerful root system allows you to strengthen the desired areas.

Awl-shaped phlox planted along the walls and along the edges of paths add charm to the landscape design. Rock gardens allow you to create flowering cascades. Photos of the best compositions from professional designers can be found in the public domain.

Phlox awl-shaped - characteristics of the species

Growing this flowering plant in the garden creates gorgeous colorful carpets in the spring. pastel colors. Branched thin stems 10 centimeters high, dotted with narrow, pointed, needle-shaped two-centimeter evergreen leaves, grow abundantly and create a continuous cover. The plant has white, different shades of pink, violet, red and even violet flowers.

Landscape designers, creating compositions in parks and squares, use awl-shaped phlox not only as ornamental plant, blooming from May to the end of June, but also create compositions that delight the eye with foliage. Favorable conditions and the right place can contribute secondary abundant flowering in August or September. Blooming awl-shaped phlox attracts butterflies.

Habitat requirements

Subulate phlox, photo shows the difference from other varieties of this species, prefers open sunny places, but can grow in partial shade. The plant can be successfully grown in any type of soil. The most preferable is a sandy, evenly moist, humus-rich substrate. It can tolerate drought without loss of decorativeness. The soil must have good aeration properties. It is well tolerated with short-term waterlogging of the substrate. PH – neutral or slightly acidic environment. Phlox subulate is resistant to low soil temperatures, but in especially cold and snowless winters it requires shelter.

Growing and care

Awl-shaped phlox is an undemanding and easy to grow crop. Before planting, the soil should be mixed with well-rotted compost. The seedlings should not be buried too deep. On nutritious, well-drained soils, phlox grows quite quickly and therefore seedlings must be planted at a distance of at least 30 centimeters. Early spring, when the soil has already warmed up well but does not lose moisture, is the time to plant seedlings on permanent place. Such conditions stimulate growth and have a beneficial effect on abundant flowering.

During prolonged drought, regular watering is required, otherwise the plant may lose its decorative effect. In order to encourage the plant to bloom again, dried flower stalks must be trimmed.

Timely pruning stimulates not only re-blooming, but also contributes to the creation of new dense leaf shoots. The plant remains beautiful longer appearance and stays healthy.

A radical approach to pruning at the end of winter will rejuvenate the phlox plant.

Reproduction

The plant reproduces in two ways:

  • by rhizome division;
  • by apical cutting method.

Dividing the rhizome Best produced after flowering until late autumn.

The phlox mother plant is dug up and carefully divided so that each part has roots and several above-ground fragments. This process can be repeated every two years.

The creeping stems of phlox subulate easily take root and quickly grow in breadth.

At the end of the summer season, removed shoots can be used for rooting. Tip cuttings can be rooted at room temperature in pots. Can be used as a potted plant or planted in a permanent place in the spring.

Diseases of awl-shaped phlox

This ornamental flowering plant is susceptible to the following diseases:

At the first signs of infection, phloxes lose their decorative properties. When spider mites appear, the color of the leaves changes, unsightly spots appear on them, which lead to death. At the first signs, it is necessary to immediately take agrotechnical measures. Otherwise, lightning-fast reproduction of pests will lead to the death of the plant. The first step is to increase the humidity. If necessary, use a special chemical composition against pests.

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease. Phlox affected by the disease develop poorly, lose their decorative properties and bloom worse. If urgent measures are not taken, the plants will not develop, will begin to wither and eventually die.

The top layer of contaminated soil must be removed, and the place from which the diseased plants were removed must be treated with a special antibacterial and antifungal drug.

Different varieties of phlox subulate






Subulate phloxes usually bloom twice during the summer: first from May to mid-June, and the second time in August-September.

Selecting a location

In nature, the favorite places of this plant are dry and sunny hills and sandy slopes, rocky areas.

Insufficient ventilation has a bad effect on these flowers. They will bloom poorly if planted too closely or under a solid wall. It is better to plant them at a distance from the fence or choose more openwork, air-permeable barriers.

Spruce phlox, like all evergreens, requires snow cover in winter.

These flowers will quickly grow and occupy the area intended for them. The shoots grow more than 10 cm per year and take root well.

Choosing the time to land

By early summer, phlox should be well rooted in the ground.

Subulate phlox is propagated by cuttings and seeds. Cuttings are cut in early spring, planted in seedling boxes or prepared beds, watered with warm water.

Young plants are transplanted from boxes into open ground.

Such cuttings take root well in late spring and early summer, and by autumn they become adult plants.

Soil preparation

The root system of subulate phloxes is located at a depth of up to 15 cm. It is precisely due to the fact that they require a thin layer of soil that these flowers decorate rocky areas and alpine hills.

Read how to grow delphinium in the garden.

The soil for planting subulate phlox should be dry and well. In addition, it is important to know what has grown on this land recently: pests may remain from last year. So, if strawberries grew on the site in the previous season, the probability of phlox infection with roundworms is very high.

It is safest to plant awl-shaped phlox in areas where lawn perennial grasses or flowers such as marigolds (tagetes) and calendula grew.

It is important to clear the area of ​​the roots of perennial weeds. Phlox, intertwining stems, form turf, through which strong weeds can break through and ruin the appearance of the area. It will be very difficult to remove such a weed without damaging the flowers.

Liming is a mandatory procedure for acidic soil.

Acidic soils - such as in the Moscow region - must be limed. To do this, lime or dolomite flour is thoroughly mixed with the soil.

On square meter 200-400 grams of lime or less are consumed, depending on the situation.

In very heavy soils, add a little sand before planting flowers.

Care

Not too much watering, timely weeding and fertilizing 2-3 times per season - usually this is enough to keep the awl-shaped phlox healthy and looking great.

Areas with old plants need to be rejuvenated.

If your phloxes are five years old or older, they may develop leafless fragments and not bloom as profusely.

Feeding

Before flowering, from about the end of April to mid-May, nitrogen-potassium fertilizers are applied to the soil. If necessary, add complete mineral fertilizer in mid-summer.

Wood ash is both a fertilizer for phlox and a pest repellent

One of the best ways to feed is wood ash.

It contains all the necessary macro- and microelements, although there is no nitrogen. The ash solution also helps as a means of pest control.

If you overdo it with fertilizers, as well as on very fertile soils, awl-shaped phlox will produce a thick green carpet, but bloom rarely and poorly.

The best conditions for their flowering are created on relatively dry, poor soils.

Watering

Subulate phloxes should be watered very sparingly. This drought-resistant plants, excess moisture harms them. Externally, signs of waterlogging may look like this: weakened plants, rare flowers, no continuous carpet effect.

Trimming

It is enough once a year, after flowering, to remove old stems and adjust the shape of the green massif. In the spring, after the snow melts, you can trim dry shoots.

Pests and diseases

To protect plants from powdery mildew, preventive treatment is carried out before and after flowering - for example, with the Topaz composition.

When infested by caterpillars, insecticides are used.

Also read how.

To learn how to plant daylilies in the garden, click.

Application in landscape design

Various varieties of awl-shaped phlox allow you to create real artistic compositions.

The flowers of awl-shaped phlox can be plain or decorated with stripes, a contrasting border, and bright stars in the middle. Color - from the purest white to rich purple, including all shades of pink and lilac, blue and blue-violet. The leaves of different varieties also differ in color saturation and shade.

Dense greenery between flowering periods looks great on rocky areas of the garden, on slopes, terraces and alpine roller coaster. Awl-shaped phlox often frames multi-level flower beds - mixborders.

During flowering, the effect of a continuous carpet allows, by combining varieties of different colors, to obtain delightful compositions on lawns and very small flower beds.

The most beautiful and popular varieties of subulate phlox are presented in the photo gallery:

Photo: Phlox subulata

It just so happens that our gardens and flower beds are simply unthinkable without spectacular and impressive phloxes. They, like guards, rise above the general background or stand alone. Bright flowers, collected in lush inflorescences, and a wide variety of colors allow you to choose a variety to suit every taste and the most demanding garden interior. Translated from Greek, the name “phlox” means “flame”. It was first given to the plant by Carl Linnaeus, apparently having encountered a certain tall species with fiery petals. Now it is simply impossible to list the entire palette of colors. Among the selected varieties and garden forms, the subulate phlox attracts attention, which will be discussed further.

Botanical description

Phlox subulata is a typical representative of the Sinyukhidae family. It is named so due to its leaves, reminiscent of an awl in shape - just as narrow, pointed, and strong. It can often be found under the name carpet or creeping, and in its homeland (North America) it is called moss carnation. Original biological species It is practically never found in gardens; numerous hybrids and varieties are common. The real awl-shaped phlox is not tall - 15-17 cm. It forms a kind of carpet on the surface of the earth, which is preserved under the snow. Creeping stems are strewn with small leaves. In their upper part there are peduncles with flowers up to 2.5 cm in diameter.

Breeding and varieties

For the first time, varietal plants appeared in Foggy Albion. Initially, in the gardens of aristocrats, the species form imported from the New World was actively used. Over time, breeders selected the most desirable and outstanding forms with the desired traits resulting from hybridization and natural mutations. Therefore, it would be completely fair to say that the current phloxes have little in common with the original appearance, since they were created over several centuries. The earliest written report of Phlox subulate dates back to 1696. You won’t find domestic hybrids in stores; all that is available are foreign varieties, originally from England, Germany, France, Holland and, of course, the USA. When purchasing plants, the information on the package will help you decide on the variety: height, shade, flower shape and size. Photo: Phlox subulata - popular varieties

Some varieties known among experienced flower growers:
Aurora - large star-shaped flowers (up to 2.4 cm in diameter) at first glance, when planted in a group, look white, but in fact they have a barely noticeable pink tint, like the first glimpses of dawn in the sky. As it grows, it forms real mats up to 12 cm high, more like snowdrifts against a general background of greenery.
G.F. Wilson - lavender-blue flowers have a diameter of up to 1.8 cm. This variety of awl-shaped phlox grows quickly, branches abundantly and forms an even carpet up to 20 cm high
Thumbelina - plant height up to 15 cm, dark green leaves and stems grow quickly, flowers are a pale pink cool shade, reach 1.6 cm in diameter, the middle is carmine red.
Nettleton Variegata is a variety with pink flowers up to 2 cm in diameter, has decorative dark green leaves with a pink and white border.
Whatever variety you prefer, know that all awl-shaped phloxes retain their decorative look until late autumn, withstanding the first frosts, their emerald green turf goes under the snow. The flowers of the plant are not very large, however, there are so many of them that they form “pillows” of a wide variety of shades. It is thanks to these qualities that phlox is valued in garden floriculture and among landscape designers.

Place on site

The awl-shaped phlox can be safely classified as one of the most unpretentious and easy-to-care plants. Another advantage is its ability to adapt to conditions. environment, but sometimes to the detriment of decorativeness. To achieve a lush and long flowering Every year you should create an environment for the plant that is as close to natural as possible - rocky slopes, dry sandy hills with a good drainage system and without stagnant moisture. Phlox is demanding on lighting and is heat-loving - this must be taken into account first of all. Secondly, exclude areas where moisture constantly accumulates. On them, the flower will be weak, flowering will be sparse, and ultimately this will lead to rotting of the root system. Thirdly, like all plants, phlox subulate can be affected by diseases and pests. Therefore, it is useful to observe competent prevention. Since phlox subulate is most susceptible to nematodes, its best predecessors at the planting site will be various perennial lawn grasses, calendula, marigolds, and saffron. The pest does not like them, so the soil will be safe. You should not use areas where garden strawberries previously grew. Fourthly, the plant needs shelter in winter, so give preference to a place where there is high snow cover in winter.

The soil

The original species of phlox, which gave rise to many hybrids and garden forms, grows in nature on mountain slopes. Therefore, the plant prefers poor soils, but dry and well-drained. The same conditions are required for garden awl-shaped phlox. The soil environment should ideally approach neutral. Too much acidic soil prevents the plant from absorbing macroelements, while alkaline, on the contrary, prevents microelements. In this regard, before planting, they practice liming the soil, that is, adding lime in certain quantities. If the soils are clayey and heavy, then in addition it is recommended to add coarse river sand to loosen the structure. Soil rich in organic matter, where manure, humus or compost was previously added, is also not very good for this garden plant. Of course, it will develop well, but all its “forces” will go into greenery, and flowering will be reduced to a minimum.

Planting subulate phlox

The plant is a ground cover and therefore has a specific root system. It lies shallow (up to 15 cm), but grows to the sides quite quickly. You can even remove it before boarding upper layer soil and, after mixing it with lime and sand, removing the roots of perennial plants and weeds, place it back. In this place you need to plant awl-shaped phloxes at a distance of 25-30 cm, then in a year or two with proper care you will have a continuous flower carpet. You can yourself regulate the shoots of the plant in the desired direction, digging them in certain places or securing them with a metal arc for quick rooting and the formation of a new bush. The evergreen plant is characterized by rapid growth, their branches grow up to 40 cm in length in 2-3 years. The most favorable time for planting is spring, when the weather is warm enough during the day, and the soil is still saturated with moisture. In the same place, awl-shaped phlox can vegetate for up to 5 years, after which it is advisable to renew or replant the bush in order to avoid the development of the disease and loss of its decorative appearance.


Photo: Examples of using phlox subulate in landscape design

Plant care

This group of garden flowers is very unpretentious; the main care for them consists of timely weeding, watering and fertilizing with complex organic and mineral preparations during a certain growing season. Moreover, the first point is of particular importance. The awl-shaped phlox covers the ground with a continuous carpet; weeds growing from under it spoil not only the appearance, but can also damage the root system if pulled out carelessly or in the process active growth. Well-chosen position on the site and good soil allow you to grow strong and beautiful plants in one place for 4-5 years. Phloxes are quite frost-resistant and, in the presence of deep snow cover, tolerate low temperatures well. However, in the snowiest and warmest winters, shoots and leaves can rot, losing their attractiveness. There is no need to be upset; with proper care, the plant recovers quickly.
All flower growers should remember that they should not “overfeed” awl-shaped phlox with organic matter and potassium fertilizers, since the green mass will actively increase, and flowering will slow down. Most best option– this is mulching the soil around the bush in spring and autumn good humus, as well as feeding with a solution of wood ash, which also has disinfecting properties and prevents the development of diseases and the appearance of pests. It's not difficult to prepare. Pour 300 g of ash with two liters of water and boil the solution for 5-10 minutes, after which it should be cooled. The liquid is quite concentrated, so before use it should be diluted in 10 liters of water.
If the winters in your region are very harsh, then it is recommended to cover the phlox with coniferous spruce branches for the winter. Spruce is best suited for these purposes. Do not use fallen dry leaves; the shoots under them will most likely rot and rot. Like many others perennials Phlox requires rejuvenation.

Pests and diseases

Reproduction of awl-shaped phlox

You can get new plants in two ways: seed (very rare in awl-shaped phlox) and vegetative (cuttings and dividing the bush). In the first case, sowing should be done in early spring, then by autumn you will have a small but strong plant. This method is suitable for those who want to grow new and exclusive varieties on their plot. Dividing a bush is a less labor-intensive, but very effective way. Due to the fact that small bushes separated from the mother plant already have their own roots, development and growth occurs faster, and the turf is dense and more durable. In the process of dividing the bush, one way or another, small broken sections of the stem remain from the plant, which are small branches without roots. They can be used for propagation by cuttings. To do this, remove the leaves from the bottom of the stem and dig it in, maintaining soil moisture constantly until rooting occurs. At first, it is best to shade the plants with a special woven material. Cuttings can be carried out both before flowering and after, but dividing the bushes is best done towards the end of summer.

On video: Carpets of awl-shaped phlox during flowering in one of the parks in Japan.


In the field of landscape design and gardening, phlox subulate is rightfully considered a real lifesaver. In a short time it is able to form lush floral carpets of the most diverse palette of colors, while it is unpretentious and resistant to weather conditions. The plant will look most harmonious and natural on alpine hills, warm slopes, in group plantings on a green lawn or along garden paths from natural stone and tiles.

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​The main condition is a large number of light and solar heat.​

​Maischnee (Maishnee) – diameter snow-white flower, in the shape of a wheel, is 1.5 cm. Height is 8-10 cm. This is the most beautiful and widespread white variety of phlox. Contrastes and complements other colorful plants in your garden.​

Phlox is very often attacked by powdery mildew and various caterpillars that damage the stem of the plant.

Phloxes reproduce vegetatively and by seeds. The easiest and most common way to propagate phlox is by dividing the bush.

​It is enough to plant young phloxes at a distance of twenty-five centimeters from each other and in a year they will form a continuous carpet. To speed up the growth process, you need to spread the stems in in the right direction. And then secure them well to the ground.​

​Also, rocky slopes and an alpine hill are perfect for their livelihoods.​

Many gardeners love awl-shaped phloxes because they remain emerald green from spring to autumn, and even under the first snow.

​If neither you nor your neighbors have a single bush to take cuttings from, then you can try to grow such a miracle on your own plot from seeds. Seeds are usually sown in open ground at the end of winter. Shoots should appear in early spring, and after the development of two or four leaves, the plants are transplanted. It is necessary to monitor the soil, it must be moist.

​for planting phlox subulate, it is better to choose sunny corners of your flower garden; in partial shade its flowering will not be so abundant;

Phlox awl-shaped (planting and caring for it does not require special conditions) can be planted even in the fall. True, you cannot delay planting in the ground: if the flowers do not have time to take root, they will die in the winter.​

​Phloxes are perennial (subulate) very loved by gardeners and landscape designers. This is not surprising: being enough unpretentious plants, they have many types of a wide variety of colors.​

Phlox awl-shaped is considered a plant that loves dryness. An abundance of moisture is harmful to it. Therefore, it is considered a grave mistake to try to grow it in damp areas. The flowers look weak, do not create a green carpet effect and die quickly.​

​Netteleto Variegata (Nettleton Variegata) - the diameter of the pink flower is 1.7 cm. The height of the carpet is 10 cm. This is a variety with variegated leaves(dark green with a border that changes color from whitish-pink to bright pink in the sun).​

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Phlox subulate

​Infestation by caterpillars can be identified by curled brownish leaves. Affected areas must be removed immediately.​

​Caring for phlox comes down to weeding, rare watering and fertilizing three times a day: before flowering, during the period of plant growth, you need to feed with potassium-nitrogen fertilizers, and by the middle of summer you need to apply mineral fertilizers.​

​The main requirement when choosing a place for phlox is the presence of light and sun: these plants love light.​

Features of cultivation.

​And during flowering, carpets of awl-shaped phloxes are strewn with flowers of a wide variety of shades (white, blue, pink, red).​

  • ​That seems to be all the main points. Be sure to try placing this unpretentious, but such a fascinating plant on your property!​
  • ​The soil is preferably sandy loam or light loam; if the soil is heavy, then sand must be added when planting;​
  • ​Planting phlox in autumn​

Under natural conditions, phlox grows in forests, in places with moist soil. They achieve intensive growth and lush flowering by growing in moist, nutritious soils.​

​It is best to grow phlox in an area where lawn grass has grown for many years. Under no circumstances should you plant phlox after strawberries, as you risk exposing it to nematode attack. Good decision there will be a choice of a site where a good snow cover is created in winter. Tellaria (Tellaria) - the diameter of lilac flowers in the shape of a star with a carmine center is 2.3 cm. The height of the carpet is 12 cm. The flowering period is quite long.

How to propagate such beauty? And it's very simple!

If desired, phlox can be propagated at home using stem cuttings. Cuttings should be cut before the buds awaken. They must have at least two nodes.​

With a successful location for planting phlox, suitable soil and proper care, the flowers will retain their beauty for six years. Phlox are frost-resistant plants, but in warm winters their leaves can rot.​

​Since subulate phloxes are drought-resistant, planting them in places with excess moisture destructive. The best predecessor for phlox is lawn grass, calendula, tagetes and other plants that do not tolerate moisture.​

​Although the flowers of the creeping phlox themselves are small, their flowering is so rich that under a large number of flowers the greenery is practically invisible. And as mentioned above, under favorable climatic conditions, the awl-shaped phlox can bloom again in September.​

Phlox awl-shaped does not tolerate damp places and stagnation of water in the root area, and also does not like acidic soil.

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Subulate phlox planting and care open ground

Flowers are planted along with the stems, cutting off approximately one third. You cannot cut the stems down to the very base, otherwise the plant will freeze in winter. Two weeks before planting flowers, prepare the soil by adding all the necessary fertilizers.​

​When growing plants on garden plot It is desirable for them to be provided with the conditions in which they grow in nature. Phlox should not be planted near fruit trees- they don’t really like shade, and besides, the flowers will lack nutrients. Plants have a negative attitude towards stagnation of water in the root system, so areas with areas located close to the surface groundwater they are not suitable. The ideal place for flowers would be light partial shade, sheltering them from the scorching sun during the hottest hours of the day.​

Description of the plant

Phlox grows well in loose, depleted and dry places. In areas that are too fertile, it creates a lot of greenery, but is not able to bloom profusely. The right decision Before planting phlox, lime will be added to the soil, giving it neutrality.

​Temiscaming (Temiscaming) - the diameter of a bright dark crimson flower is 2.0 cm. It grows 15 cm high. It grows actively, which ultimately gives a very dense carpet with beautiful dark red leaves. Propagated well by cuttings.​

​Plant and buy only healthy and high-quality planting material. Read how to choose seedlings here.​

When propagated by cuttings, phloxes are planted in the spring, at the beginning of the appearance of shoots. The queen of the plant breaks off shoots six centimeters long.​

​As a result, plants completely lose their decorative properties, but with proper care they can recover. Adding humus will help rapid growth and abundant flowering.​

​You cannot plant this type of flower, for example, after strawberries. Like all evergreens, it is advisable to plant the awl-shaped phlox in places where there is a lot of snow in winter.​

​In Europe, varieties of awl-shaped phlox first appeared in England. After this, phlox became very popular and they began to grow it even in noble English gardens.​

​Awl-shaped phlox got its name due to the shape of its leaves: narrow, hard, pointed. The common people called it the carpet carnation because it spreads along the ground, and in its geographical homeland it is called the moss carnation.​

​You should also keep in mind that if you overfeed the plant with nitrogen fertilizers, this will lead to the growth of a large mass of shoots and leaves, and flowering will be weak. Therefore, it is advisable to feed the subulate phlox with complex water-soluble fertilizers 2-3 times - in the spring and during the season.​

​If it turns out that you did not have time to plant phloxes on time, do not be upset, the plants can be saved. You should find a secluded place, protected from wind and drafts, and carefully bury the flowers to a depth of about 25 cm. For the winter, the seedlings must be covered with peat or fallen leaves.​

Phlox awl-shaped, planted and cared for properly, has virtually no problems with flowering. Despite their unpretentiousness, the plants, of course, need basic care.​

​Before planting, weeds should be thoroughly removed so that they do not subsequently disturb the external beauty of the flower planting. And weeding must be organized in a timely manner, without starting planting. You can plant young plants at intervals of thirty centimeters, and in just a couple of years you are guaranteed to get a beautiful green carpet. All that will be necessary is to arrange the leaves of the plants in the right directions to speed up the process of landscaping the area.​

​Thank you for your attention and write comments!​

Phlox location

​Aurora (Aurora) - a star-shaped flower with a diameter of 2.4 cm, the color is almost white with a pale pink tint. During flowering, it resembles snowdrifts 12 cm high.​

​These cuttings take root quite quickly and by autumn they already grow into full-bodied plants. Cuttings should be planted in boxes or in beds with fertilized soil, with a layer river sand, the cuttings are watered daily.

​However, it is worth remembering that it is not recommended to overfeed these phloxes, otherwise the plants will simply “go into leaves”, that is, the tops will be beautiful and powerful, but you will hardly see any flowers. Read here for an idea about why plants bloom.​

Phlox will feel great on loose, dry soils. On fertile soil they will produce more greenery than flowers.​

​In 1746, the famous traveler and plant collector Farrer brought several varieties of moss carnation to his homeland. He called this event a successful discovery for floriculture.​

​This plant grows in the USA to North Carolina and west to Michigan; in the wild, the flower can often be found on rocky and sandy hills.​

Soil for the plant

Caring for awl-shaped phlox is quite simple

Phlox awl-shaped, planted and cared for correctly, eventually turns into a tall one beautiful bush With bright inflorescences, blooming for a fairly long period of time.​

If you decide to plant phlox on your site, then it is better to prepare the soil in advance, in the fall. Flowers are usually planted in the spring after the soil has thawed. The most important requirement for the soil in which flowers will grow is moisture and the necessary nutrients.​

Planting subulate phlox

​They are quite simple and known to everyone: - weeding the area, - watering, - fertilizing.​

Phlox owes its name to the shape of its leaves - narrow, harsh to the touch, with points reminiscent of a small awl. People call it carpet or creeping. Let's consider subulate phlox - planting and care, perennial phloxes do not need special efforts in care, can grow even among rocky screes and dry sandy hills.​

​Amazing Grace (Amazing Grace) - the diameter of a white flower with a bright purple eye is 1.8 cm. This variety grows up to 12 cm in height.​

To propagate rare varieties of phlox, use green cuttings or leaves alone. Before budding, the leaves are separated from the plant with part of the stem.

Phlox care

​It won't hurt to fertilize with wood ash, which contains everything essential microelements, but does not contain nitrogen. Take half a kilogram of ash and pour three liters of boiling water. Let this solution cool. Dilute it in 10-12 liters of water and use as foliar feeding phlox, and as a natural insecticide that destroys most pests of this plant.​

​B wildlife they grow in poor soils. Everyone knows that in Moscow and the Moscow region the soils are quite acidic; in such soil they will lack macroelements, but for example, in an alkaline environment there are microelements, therefore the soil is limed before planting phloxes.​

Little by little, flower growers created new forms of phlox that appeared as a result of hybridization. Today, the ancestors of the current awl-shaped phlox no longer exist.​

​In height evergreen, spreading along the ground as a dense mat, can reach up to twenty centimeters.​

- this means timely weeding, watering and fertilizing. After spring flowering, you can give the bush a light pruning; this will provoke the growth of many side shoots, which will make your bush even fluffier. About once every 5 years, the bushes need to be rejuvenated, because over time the stems become woody, the leaves die off and bald spots appear.​

​Such different phloxes…​

After planting, phloxes should be watered abundantly. Then, when the flowers take root, it is recommended to feed them with a weak solution of mullein.​

​As a rule, it is necessary to feed before flowering, when the plant is most active. The best solution There will be the use of nitrogen-potassium compounds. But minerals can not be added before the middle summer period.​

Phlox reaches a height of about fifteen centimeters. As it germinates, it creates permanently green, dense mats. The stems are recumbent, covered with small narrow leaves. Each stem has a peduncle containing one or two flowers. Phlox flowering begins in mid-May and lasts until the second half of June. The second stage, not so abundant, takes place from August to September.​

Reproduction

​G. F. Wilson (G.F. Wilson) - the diameter of a light blue star-shaped flower is 1.8 cm. This is probably the most common vigorous variety (carpet height up to 20 cm). It grows and reproduces well.​

The lower half of the sheet with the heel is dug obliquely into the wet sand of a bed or exploration box, covered with glass, and sprayed from time to time. Well-rooted cuttings soon produce small shoots, which are planted in the ground in the spring.

In the northern parts, where plants need shelter for the winter, it is necessary to use coniferous spruce branches (it does not acidify the soil).

​Depending on the type of soil, the dose of limestone can vary from 230-440 grams per square meter. Most often, dolomite flour is used for liming. On heavy soils, sand must be added before planting.​

​Our gardens contain garden hybrids that have appeared over the centuries. Unfortunately, there are no domestic subulate phloxes - apparently due to the fact that this type does not form seeds.​

The stems of the plant are very densely covered with small and short, narrow and hard leaves. Each stem has one to two flowers with a diameter of twenty-five millimeters.​

​The most common way to propagate awl-shaped phlox is to simply divide an adult bush in early spring into several parts. By autumn, the “babies” will differ little from the mother plant.​

​I can imagine very well what associations the word “phlox” will evoke in many people. What immediately comes to mind is my grandmother’s front garden with bright flower caps – the well-known Phlox paniculata. But today we will talk about an equally beautiful “relative” - phlox subulate.​

Phlox awl-shaped, planting and caring for which does not provide the moisture it needs, grows low, has small inflorescences, and their number is very small. Such plants fade very quickly.​

​If the selection of the site is carried out correctly and proper care is organized, then the awl-shaped phlox will always reciprocate your feelings and will gratefully retain its green freshness for at least five years.​

Diseases and pests

​In its original form, awl-shaped phlox is rarely found. Its various garden forms and varieties are mainly widespread, having a large number of varieties. Flowering creates wonderful decorations for rocky hills, walls, gazebos, and is suitable for borders.​

​Dujmovotcshka (Thumbelina) – dark green leaves, rich flower diameter Pink colour, with a dark carmine center, equal to 1.6 cm. Grows well.​

​By autumn they become full-fledged plants.​

​Dry leaves will not be suitable for wintering phlox as shelter; they can only be used for plants with non-wintering leaves.​

Varieties

​Since the root system of phlox lies rather shallow, plants can use a small amount of soil.​

​All we have are foreign varieties and hybrids produced in England, Holland, USA, Germany, France.​

​The color can be different: pink, red, white, purple, lilac.​

​If planting material more is required, that is, another fairly simple way is to cut cuttings. If you use cuttings with a “heel,” it is better to do this in early spring, when young shoots begin to grow. Cuttings up to 6 cm long are carefully separated from the mother plant, placed in a light, permeable substrate and something like a greenhouse is built. For this purpose, you can use an ordinary plastic bag.​

Phlox subulata (lat.) is a perennial ground cover plant. It received this name due to its narrow, awl-like leaves, which densely cover the creeping stems. During the flowering period, white, pink, lilac, blue flowers up to 2 cm in diameter almost completely hide the foliage. Flowering duration is 30-45 days.​

Phlox subulate: cultivation and care

The plant is a cold-resistant species, but if the winter is quite warm, the leaves of the flowers may rot. In this case, plants lose their appearance, but with proper care they quickly recover.​

​The main advantage of these flowers is their ability to retain their greenery even under snow cover. And even the small size of flowers can charmingly decorate such a green lawn with their abundance.

​Coral Eye (Coral Ai) - the diameter of a light pink flower with a carmine center, in the shape of a star, is 2.0 cm. It grows well (carpet height up to 12 cm) and reproduces.​

​Seed propagation is rarely practiced. Seeds are sown in open ground in the fall. In early spring, seedlings sprout from the ground in a friendly row, and with the development of the first leaves, they dive.

​In the spring, to help the phloxes wake up faster, you can water them with a humate solution, this will speed up their growth and root development.​

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Phlox subulate - planting and care, perennial phlox

​When preparing the soil for planting, you need to carefully pull out the weeds, as they will grow through the turf, and thereby ruin the entire appearance of the flower garden.​

What is a phlox plant?

​Awl-shaped phlox is unpretentious and flexible, it can grow even in the most difficult growing conditions.​

​This plant blooms very profusely for the first time from mid-May until almost the end of June, the second time it blooms less generously in August and September.​

​Periodically, the cuttings need to be ventilated and the soil moisture monitored. Such cuttings take root very quickly and by autumn they turn into full-fledged plants.​

Rules for planting perennial phlox

The sight of a flowering phlox awl-shaped bush is literally mesmerizing and attracts attention. In plantings it is used for flower beds, alpine slides, ridges, and mixborders. Small curtains can be used to decorate the edges of paths and the border of the lawn. The awl-shaped phlox of different colors looks very elegant against the background of conifers and plants with decorative foliage. And this species received the name “subulate” due to the leaves, which have a needle-like appearance. In order for the flowers to delight with their splendor for a long time and have a decorative appearance, they must be fed. Phlox responds very well to fertilizing from wood ash, which contains potassium and lime. Thanks to such elements, the brightness of the inflorescences increases, in addition, they become more resistant to diseases.​

Phlox (lat. Phlox)- a genus of beautiful flowering plants herbaceous plants family Sinyukhidae, which includes more than 80 species, including awl-shaped phlox (lat. Phlox subulata), getting its name from the shape of its leaves. Otherwise, this species is called creeping or carpet, and in North America, where phlox subulate comes from, it is called moss carnation. In the wild, phlox subulate is distributed from southern Ontario to North Carolina, and from east to west - from Tennessee to Michigan. It chooses rocky screes, dry sandy hills and the shade of bushes to live.

Planting and caring for phlox subulate (in brief)

  • Bloom: from mid-May to the second decade of June, re-blooming in August-September.
  • Landing: sowing seeds for seedlings - in March, planting seedlings in the garden - in the second half of May.
  • Lighting: bright sunlight or partial shade.
  • The soil: loose, evenly moist or dry, scanty, sandy or medium loamy, neutral reaction.
  • Watering: moderate and infrequent. Watering is carried out early in the morning or after sunset, water is poured strictly at the root. In extreme heat and drought, water consumption is from 15 to 20 liters cold water per 1 m² of plot.
  • Feeding: in the spring - with a humate solution, during the budding period - with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers, after flowering - with a complete mineral complex.
  • Reproduction: seeds, heel cuttings, green apical cuttings and rhizome division.
  • Pests: stem nematodes, slobbering pennies, leaf rollers, wireworms.
  • Diseases: rust, spotting, fomoz, verticillium wilt.

Read more about growing phlox subulate below.

Phlox awl-shaped - description

This ornamental plant reaches 10-20 cm in height, forming dense evergreen mats. Its recumbent stems with short internodes are densely covered with sharp, narrow and hard leaves up to 2 cm long, and they end in peduncles with one or two inflorescences of 5-7 funnel-shaped flowers with a diameter of up to 25 mm. The color of flowers with petals notched at the edges can be white, pink, purple or different shades of lilac. Flowering of phlox subulate begins in mid-May and lasts until the second decade of June, and re-blooming occurs in August-September. Phlox blooms so profusely that the greenery under its inflorescences is completely invisible. But even when flowering ends, the subulate phlox does not lose its attractiveness: its turf remains green even under the snow.

Planting phlox subulate in open ground

Growing phlox subulate seedlings

Plants of this species do not form seeds in our climatic conditions, but seed material can be purchased in nurseries or garden centers, as, indeed, are plant seedlings. Seeds for seedlings are sown in large boxes in March: they are distributed over the surface of a substrate previously disinfected with a weak solution of potassium permanganate in increments of 3-4 cm and only lightly sprinkled with soil. Place the crops on the windowsill, but shade them from direct sun rays. While waiting for germination, the substrate is kept slightly moist using a sprayer for watering. Phlox awl-shaped seedlings are planted in open ground at the stage of development of three to four true leaves. However, growing this type of phlox by seed is unreliable. It is much easier to buy plant seedlings.

The moss carnation will need your attention and certain conditions cultivation, but in principle, planting and caring for subulate phlox is not so difficult. It needs to be planted in places with the greatest light, after first selecting from the ground the roots of perennial weeds, in particular field bindweed, which is especially dangerous for phlox. The plant can develop in partial shade, but its flowering will not be as abundant as in sunny place. Phlox prefers sandy or medium loamy soil, scanty, evenly moist or even dry, but it grows well on other soils: it is important that they are loose, neutral and have aeration properties. In heavy soil you need to add sand, and in acidic soil - from 200 to 400 g of dolomite flour or other deoxidizing agent per 1 m², thoroughly mixing it with the soil. The best precursors for phlox subulate are calendula, tagetes and perennial lawn grasses - plants that the nematode does not like. Under no circumstances should you plant phlox after strawberries.

Before planting, the soil is dug up with humus (it is strictly not recommended to use fresh manure as fertilizer), however, both organic matter and mineral complexes should be added in modest quantities, since on well-fertilized soils the plant produces a lot of greenery, but blooms sparingly.

Phlox subulate seedlings are planted in the second half of May in holes located at a distance of 25-30 cm from each other. Before filling the holes, the roots of the seedlings are carefully straightened, and after planting, the area is watered and mulched with peat. In a year or two perennial phlox awl-shaped forms a continuous carpet at the planting site: during the season, the shoots of the plant grow up to 25 cm. The plant will bloom in the second year after planting.

Caring for phlox awl-shaped

How to grow phlox subulate

The main point of care for phlox at the very beginning of its development is the removal of weeds: growing through the turf, they damage the decorative appearance of the planting. Weeding is done with great care and always after watering or rain. By the way, moderation is needed in soil moisture, since subulate phlox can withstand drought without losing its attractiveness, but from excess moisture it gets sick and even dies. Water phlox early in the morning or after sunset, pouring water strictly at the root so that drops do not fall on the leaves and stems. In extreme heat and drought you will need 15 to 20 liters warm water per 1 m² of area: cold water causes the plant stems to crack.

As for fertilizing, it is advisable to adhere to the following scheme:

  • to stimulate growth and rapid recovery after winter, in early spring phlox subulate is fed with a humate solution;
  • During the budding period, potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are applied to the soil;
  • after the end of flowering, phlox awl-shaped is fed with a complete mineral complex;
  • the best fertilizer for phlox subulate is ash solution, since it lacks nitrogen, which has a detrimental effect on flowering. To prepare the solution, you need to boil 300 g of ash in 2 liters of water for 10 minutes, then let the broth cool, strain it and bring the volume to 10 liters with water. If you use the ash solution on the leaves, you can use it not only to feed the plant, but also to protect it from pests.

Phlox subulate after flowering

When caring for phlox subulate, do not forget to remove it in a timely manner. wilted flowers and damaged branches. After the first flowering has ended, prune the plant's shoots back completely to encourage the formation of flower buds. If you prune phlox in the fall, it will not bloom in the spring.

Phlox awl-shaped is largely cold-resistant, so it overwinters without shelter, but with the onset of frost it is necessary to mulch the root collar of the plant with peat. Mulch will not only protect the phlox from frost, but will also serve as food for it in the spring. If the winter is expected to be cold and snowless, throw spruce branches on top of the mulch.

Pests and diseases of phlox awl-shaped

Phlox awl-shaped in open ground, subject to the rules of agricultural technology, is extremely resistant to diseases and pests, however, if you are careless in care, the plant may suffer from fungal infections. For example, a white powdery coating on the leaves and stems indicates that the phlox subulate has been affected by powdery mildew. The fight against this disease is ongoing copper sulfate and Bordeaux mixture. Reddish-brown spots on the ground organs of phlox may mean that the plants are sick with rust, the pathogens of which can be destroyed with the drug Topaz. Phoma disease causes drying of leaves and fragility of shoots. This disease can be treated with a solution of colloidal sulfur. Septoria blight is diagnosed by brown spots on the leaf blades, which gradually grow and begin to interfere with photosynthesis. As a result of the development of the disease, the plant dies. In the fight against septoria and other fungal infections, preventive treatments with copper-containing preparations are used: make it a rule every spring to spray the planting of phlox subulates with Bordeaux mixture, copper sulfate or other copper-based fungicide.

But the variegation, sometimes affecting plants in the garden - this is a viral disease that cannot be cured, therefore, as soon as you see that streaks and stripes have appeared on the phlox corollas, immediately remove and burn the diseased specimen.

Among the pests, nematodes and caterpillars are dangerous for phlox. The presence of stem nematodes on plants is indicated by changes in the color and shape of leaves, as well as slower growth of shoots. It is useless to fight nematodes, but if crop rotation is observed as a preventive measure, these dangerous pests they just won't appear. And the caterpillars are collected by hand or destroyed with an insecticide against leaf-eating pests.

Reproduction of phlox awl-shaped

We told you about seed propagation of the plant, but more often phlox subulate is propagated vegetatively. For example, green apical cuttings, cuttings with a heel or dividing the rhizome.

Propagation of phlox awl-shaped by cuttings

The best time to take cuttings of phlox subulate is the beginning of budding. The lower, lignified or leafless parts of the shoots are not suitable for cuttings, since they take root very poorly, so tear off the green leafy shoot with a pull so that part of the stem skin remains at its end - these will be excellent cuttings for propagating phlox subulate. It is better to remove the lower leaves on the cuttings.

For successful rooting you need room temperature and moist light soil - a mixture of peat and sand, for example, or disinfected garden soil mixed with vermiculite or sand. To create a greenhouse effect, cuttings planted at an angle are covered glass jars, plastic bottles with a cut off neck or a transparent lid: in such conditions, roots form in just 7-10 days.

Sometimes, when dividing a bush, branches of the plant break off, which can be buried by removing the leaves from their lower part. The planted cuttings are watered and shaded from direct sunlight during rooting. non-woven material– lutrasil or spunbond.

Reproduction of phlox awl-shaped by dividing the bush

When the plant reaches five years of age, the middle of the bush begins to protrude from the ground and becomes bare after each rain. This can lead to the death of the plant from spring frosts. In addition, the flowering of phlox by this age becomes scarce and shorter lasting. To save the plant and restore its decorative qualities, the phlox subulate is transplanted, during which it is advisable to divide the bush. The plant is dug up and divided into parts so that each of them contains strong, healthy roots and several above-ground fragments. The cuttings are planted at a distance of 35 to 60 cm from each other in holes, to the bottom of which you can add a handful of humus or rotted compost. This operation is best carried out in mid-August.

Varieties of phlox subulate

In Europe, the first varieties of phlox subulate appeared in England. Today, species of phlox no longer exist, and the plants that adorn our gardens are the product of hybridization and natural mutation. Breeders from the USA, England, Holland, Japan, France and Germany were engaged in breeding varieties of phlox subulate. We offer you an introduction to the most famous plant varieties:

  • Aurora– a variety up to 12 cm high with star-shaped flowers with a diameter of up to 24 mm almost white with a soft pink tint;
  • Amazeen Grace– a plant up to 12 cm high with flowers 18 mm in diameter, white in color with a bright carmine eye;
  • G.F. Wilson– a profusely branching plant up to 20 cm high with light star-shaped lavender-blue flowers up to 18 mm in diameter:
  • Thumbelina– a variety 10-15 cm high with flowers 16 mm in diameter of a rich cold pink shade with a dark carmine eye;
  • Candy Stripes- a bush only 10 cm high with white flowers up to 20 mm in diameter, in which a wide longitudinal pink stripe runs down the middle of each petal. The variety is distinguished by abundant and long-lasting flowering;
  • Coral Eye– flowers about 20 mm in diameter, star-shaped, light pink in color with a carmine eye on a bush 12 cm high;
  • phlox subulate Bavaria– a plant up to 10 cm high, covered with a mass of white flowers with lilac eyes;
  • Temiskamin– an abundantly branching bush up to 15 cm high with dense turf and bright, dark crimson-purple flowers up to 20 mm in diameter;
  • phlox subulate Scarlet Flame with flowers of bright orange-pink color with a diameter of up to 25 mm;
  • Maishnee– snow-white, wheel-shaped flowers with a diameter of up to 15 mm on a bush 8-10 cm high. The most popular white-flowered variety in cultivation;
  • Nettleton Variegata– phlox subulate pink with flowers with a diameter of 17 mm;
  • phlox subulate Emerald Cuchon Blue– a variety 10-15 cm high with flowers up to 2 cm in diameter of a lilac-blue hue;
  • Tellaria– bushes up to 12 cm high with star-shaped flowers with a diameter of 23 mm, lilac with a carmine eye.

The following varieties can be found on sale:

  • Appleblossom And Daisy Hill– with pink flowers;
  • White Delight And Avalanche– with white flowers;
  • Samson– with bright pink flowers;
  • Vivid– with flowers of a deep pink hue;
  • Tomasini– with violet-blue flowers;
  • Ronsdorfer Schöne– with salmon-pink flowers.

In landscape design, phlox subulate is most often used as a ground cover plant: it very quickly takes up the space allotted to it and is decorative throughout the season. In addition, the plant is grown in rockeries, mixborders and alpine slides; it is used to create borders along garden paths and around gazebos. He is also good at suspended structures– baskets and balcony containers.

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