Stem cutting can be taken in early summer. Most phlox can be propagated by division or cuttings, and this will maintain the original variety true to type. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. It is native to the South Carolina mountains and usually seen along stream banks and moist roadsides. Woodland phlox grows 12 to 15 inches tall in bloom, with the leaves forming a spreading mat. It has not proved to be mildew resistant in the southeast. Purple Giant Hyssop. Infected leaves eventually turn yellow and then brown. It has moderate mildew resistance. Flowers of wild plants are usually reddish purple. Within any species, there are cultivars that are more or less susceptible. Other common names for it include wild sweet William and wild blue phlox. Polygala. You want the perennial phlox that grows to three of four feet tall, Phlox paniculata. Plants grow 10 to 14 inches tall. Although there are many types of native phlox, the two commonly sold commercially are Phlox subulata and Phlox paniculata. Phlox (Moss) Pickerel Weed. Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from HGIC. It has very good mildew resistance and is very drought and heat tolerant. Many state universities periodically trial powdery mildew resistance on phlox, but it is important to remember that conditions in the southeast strongly favor the disease. Propagate by cuttings or by careful separation of rooted down stems along the edges of the plant. Be sure to follow good cultural practices to help prevent powdery mildew infestation. Seed can be sown directly in late winter or very early spring, or seedlings can be grown until 6 to 8 weeks old and set out a few weeks before the last frost date. Remember that resistant does not mean immune. Even highly resistant cultivars can develop powdery mildew if conditions favor its spread. Wild species and virtually all cultivars bloom in the cool color range, ranging from white to pink, rose, red, magenta, purple, and blue. When at a loss for what to plant this year, turn to old-fashioned, dependable phlox. Six hours or more of morning sun with some afternoon shade will allow enough light for optimum flowering, while extending bloom time. It is a good cover for the leaves of earlier floweting spring bulbs. Consider investigating some creative landscaping ideas for more on this subject. Because of this they have acquired a wide variety of common names, some of which they share with completely unrelated plants. Woodland phlox is a fairly common sight in Wisconsin's woodlands and gardens, adding to the confusion over the species. Wild blue phlox is a native woodland phlox (though introduced to New England) with sticky-hairy leaves and delicate, fragrant, lavender flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies in April and May. Spotted phlox (Phlox maculata): Spotted phlox is also known as meadow phlox and wild sweet William, a common name it shares with some other phlox. Light fertilization of young plants will encourage growth. The flowers are held in small clusters at the top of the stems, blooming from May near the coast to late June in the mountains, earlier than garden phlox. Always water at the base of plants to keep the air space around the foliage drier. The phlox bug’s feeding causes white or light green spots on the leaves and buds. When purchasing native plants, be sure to buy plants that are nursery grown and propagated. CAUTION: Do not collect native wildflowers from natural areas, as this can lead to their eradication in the wild. Edible parts: Leaves and flowers are edible raw, but the flavor is milder when cooked, and toxic compounds are removed via the cooking process. Powdery mildew can severely weaken susceptible phlox cultivars. The wild species flowers are blue to mauve. Phlox subulata has needle-like leaves, some of which remain green throughout the winter. It is very widely grown and garden plants have also escaped back into the wild. ‘Cabot Blue’ is the most common type, with lavender blue flowers. Leaves and stem: Leaves are 1 to 2 inches long and to ½ inch wide, toothless, tapering to a blunt or pointed tip, rounded at the base, and stalkless. Blooming occurs in early to mid summer. It spreads 12 to 18 inches wide. This is usually considered to be one of the most mildew resistant garden phlox cultivars. It grows 18 to 20 inches tall. Heat stress will usually cause the plants to die out by early summer, unless they are very heat tolerant cultivars. The tall phloxes are cold-hardy plants, but they have a tougher time coping with extreme heat. Many of these species are also native to the southeast or South Carolina. If the disease continues to spread it may become necessary to spray with a fungicide. ‘Emerald Blue’ and ‘Emerald Pink’ are dense, compact growers, with lavender blue and bright pink flowers. ‘Millstream Daphne’ has deep pink flowers with a darker eye. For this reason, knowing the botanical name will help ensure that you get the plant you want at nurseries. Also, wild collected plants often do not survive transplanting. Flowers are lavender pink. They are … Unfortunately, many of its cultivars are the most prone to powdery mildew, and cultivar selection is very important for success. For best appearance trim off old flowers once it is done blooming. All these colors can also occur in wild plants. In this article, we will discuss reasons for phlox yellowing and drying out. Pineapple Weed. The Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae) and the Phlox Plant Bug (Lopidea davisi) will both defoliate this plant. Phlox stolonifera gets its name from its stolons, or runners, that make it a creeping phlox variety. If given the correct growing conditions, woodland phlox is an easy, low maintenance plant. Low growing phlox for sun include hairy phlox and moss phlox. floral botanical flower. Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera): Creeping phlox is native to the South Carolina mountains and Piedmont in deciduous woods and along stream banks. COVID-19 Extension Updates and Resources ... More Information », Factsheet | HGIC 1181 | Published: May 1, 2009 | Print. If spring is prime time for Phlox subulata, then the best time for tall phlox to shine is the summer: It's an old standby for the summer garden, a colorful contributor to your yard's beauty long after many other perennials have petered out. Be sure to maintain soil moisture in summer. Propagation is by cuttings. Some species are most easily found at nurseries that specialize in native plants, and these sources may carry a number of species in addition to those listed below. Cut back to 1 to 2 inches above ground level after the first fall frost. Plantain. Pairsof opposite leaves occur along these stems that … 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. paniculata). The fragrant flowers may be magenta, pink, white, lavender, purple or blue, flowering from early to late summer. Downy phlox is taller than the others, growing to 15 inches in height. The native species may grow even taller in ideal growing conditions. ‘Candy Stripe’ is bicolored, with white edges along pink petals. They are tall, reaching up to 24 inches tall and wide. The leaves of Phlox subulata and tall phlox are so different from each other that one would be hard-pressed to identify them as related species in the absence of their flowers. The flower heads are especially large. The leaves of tall phlox are much larger and die back at the end of the growing season; they are narrow at both ends and flare out in the middle. Creeping phlox prefers moist, cool, well-drained soil, high in organic matter. ‘Delta’ is light pink with a darker eye. Flowers are fragrant, 1 inch wide in white, red, magenta, lavender, or pink and usually have a lighter-colored “eye” in the center. The leaves of tall phlox are much larger and die back at the end of the growing season; they are narrow at both ends and flare out in the middle. Keep old flower heads pruned off to further encourage continued bloom. Species vary considerably in their susceptibility. Natural reseeding can be desirable in natural or wild gardens. If powdery mildew is spotted early, remove any affected or fallen leaves. Carolina phlox will grow throughout the entire state. Woodland phlox, Phlox divaricata, is an eastern North American native increasingly offered as an ornamental to use in cultivated gardens for its attractive bluish flowers. This shade loving phlox prefers moist, fertile, woodsy soil, with plenty of organic matter in part to full shade. While most phlox have green leaves, some have variegated foliage with creamy white or yellow margins. Caution: Watch out, this edible wild plant, like other sorrel varieties, contains oxalic acid. ‘Gypsy Love’ is shorter than most Carolina phlox, growing to 18 to 24 inches tall, with bright pink flowers. For best appearance, cut back hard after flowering. Some phlox, particularly garden phlox and moss phlox, are garden center staples. Annual phlox prefer sandy soil, with adequate but not excessive moisture. It has escaped into the wild and can be found in the eastern half of North America plus Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Utah and Washington state. It spreads quickly, but will not ever overwhelm other plants or become weedy. ‘John Fanick’ has light pink with a darker eye. Shade will cause plants to thin out, and they will not tolerate excessive moisture. This is a Phlox for shade or partial shade and medium to drier soils. There are many types of phlox flowers, but the most popular kinds are Phlox subulata and the various cultivars of P. paniculata. There are other differences between the two (explained below), but the size is a good place to start. Flowers are fragrant and held in loose clusters. Wild phlox (Phlox divaricata) grows naturally in many areas of the U.S. Also known as woodland phlox, this blooming perennial thrives in suitable sites from South Carolina as far north as Quebec. Dry, hot conditions may lead to spider mite infestation. They are susceptible to powdery mildew, which is more difficult to combat the hotter it gets outside. Intensia phlox have rated well for heat tolerance in Georgia, Florida and Texas trials. It is found growing wild throughout SC primarily in the central and coastal regions, often along roadsides. It will tolerate poor soil, and withstands drought once established. 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. Be sure to provide good air circulation. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. It is also commonly referred to as Blue Phlox, Woodland Phlox, or … While morning sun encourages heavier bloom and denser growth, the plant will not withstand excessive sun. It is vigorous, growing 3 to 4 feet tall, with good mildew resistance, and a long bloom period. Overall, garden phlox is a tough plant, but powdery mildew is a chronic problem, especially at the end of the bloom season. Starting at $3.60 USD. Tall growing phlox should usually be divided at least every 3 years to prevent overcrowding. Not surprisingly, Phlox subulata functions primarily as a flowering ground cover. You'll often see this spring bloomer blanketing banks with its colorful flowers. Images Phlox - Professional images and videos of plants and gardens for use in magazines, books, calendars, brochures and other media. 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. It is similar in appearance to the species but with brighter flower color. Pussytoes. It blooms between April along the coast and June in the mountains. Phlox are highly attractive to butterflies. 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