Planting, Growing, and Caring for Phlox

 

With brightly colored flowers and a lovely fragrance Phlox is a summer wildflower, an essential item in any garden. Whether used as a ground cover or towering perennial, evergreen or deciduous, phlox comes in an overwhelming array of colors, heights, forms and blooming times. Perhaps best of all, it’s a terrific companion plant. In shades of blue, white and pink, for example, they tone down hot yellows and oranges and buddy up to other cool-coloured perennials. With such a wide range of phlox available, there’s one for most garden situations, from dry to moist soils, in full sun to full shade. Choose the variety that fits your garden space and enjoy its gorgeous star-shaped blossoms all summer long. Read on to learn how to plant, grow and care for phlox.

Varieties 

Different varieties of phlox serve different needs in the garden. Your local garden center or nursery can advise you on which species grow best in your area. All species of phlox produce flowers in a wide range of colors including white, pink, red, lavender and blue. Garden and meadow phlox are perfect for garden borders, since they grow quite wide and tall. Low-growing phlox varieties are perfect to use as ground cover in shady areas, especially as many are mildew-resistant.

Location

Although Phlox are low maintenance flowers that do well in most locations, most varieties will prefer full sun, but some are tolerant of partial or filtered shade. Find a location that works for the variety you have chosen. Keep in mind that Phlox grown in the shade often produce fewer flowers and they are also at increased risk for contracting a disease, so if you choose to plant phlox in the shade, look for a variety that is mildew-resistant.

Planting

Phlox plants prefer rich, porous soil with a layer of organic mulch. When watering, avoid wetting the foliage — a practice that spreads disease.If the area is wet, but not soaking, it should be fine for growing phlox.

You can plant phlox outdoors after all signs of frost have passed. Dig holes 6 to 24 inches apart depending on the species you are growing. You need to space shorter phlox varieties 6 to 12 inches apart, and taller species 12 to 24 inches apart. The holes should be twice as wide as the plants’ root balls] Set the phlox plants into the holes and pat soil around their bases. Water the phlox after planting.

Care

Keep phlox well watered throughout the growing season, from the base of the plant, rather than from the top. Avoid getting their leaves wet to decrease the chances that mold and mildew will form on the plants. Use well-rounded plant fertilizer which contains 10 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphate and 10 percent potash. Repeat a second application of the fertilizer when the plants are flowering.

 

Planting, Growing, and Caring for Phlox

How to Grow and Care for Lobelia

Beautiful 2-lipped tubular flowers with intense color, each with 5 lobes – that’s what makes lobelias one of the most popular and most beautiful garden plants.

Lobelia is a genus of flowering plants comprising 415 species primarily found in tropical to warm temperate regions of the world, but in cooler climates as well. We know lobelia as an attractive annual herb with many varieties, all coming in different attractive colors. It is a beautiful addition to any garden. The best part about lobelias is that they are so easy to grow and care for! If you are mesmerized by their beauty and want to have them in your garden then you are at the right place as we are going to share everything you need to know on how to grow and care for lobelia.

Lobelia is an easy growing, versatile herb you can plant freely in your garden, use as a border, in hanging baskets, containers. ground covers etc. The one thing you should have in mind before choosing your lobelia variety is it’s mature height which is important for choosing the perfect planting location. L. inflata(Indian tobacco), L. cardinalis (Cardinal flower), and L. siphilitica are the most common varieties for home gardening.

One of the most popular varieties of lobelia is called Indian tobacco and this is because Native Americans once smoked lobelia plant to treat asthma. Another name for lobelia is pukeweed because it was once prescribed the plant to induce vomiting. We have to warn you though that the plant is poisonous so don’t try this at home.

Planting & Fertilizing

When choosing the perfect planting location for your lobelia, have in mind that almost every variety prefers partial shade, although they can grow quite nicely in full sun as well. As for the soil, make sure it is nutrient rich and well hydrated. Offer a water soluble fertilizer each month for best results.

Watering

Watering is important for lobelia’s blooming. Soil should be kept moist constantly. Water annuals with 1 1/2 inches of water per week while perennials less frequently but deeply. However, you should allow the top soil to dry between waterings.

Pruning

Another great thing about lobelias is that they are self-cleaning plants that don’t require removing of faded flowers like many other annuals. But when the first blooming season is over it is best to prune the stems which will encourage the production of new blooms.

Annual Lobelia

If you want to grow annual lobelia out of seeds then all you need to do is spread the seeds on top of the soil and water thoroughly then place them in a warm, light place. In a week or two, when the seeds start popping out, you can start thinning them out. When there is no fear of frost anymore and your plants are around 2-3 inches tall it is time to transplant them in the garden, ideally 4-6 inches apart.

Perenial Lobelia

During winter you should provide pine needles mulch to protect the root system. This is for perennial varieties of course. You can also cut back perennial lobelias to just above ground level after blooming has ceased. As for the annual varieties, pull them out and discard them once heavy frost kills them in autumn.

 

How to Grow and Care for Lobelia