Drummond phlox: blooms until the first snow!

Phloxes

Both biennial and annual plants are used to create perpetually blooming flowerbeds and borders. Among the latter, the lush and vibrant Drummondii phlox stands out. With proper planting and care, it continues to bloom until late autumn—practically until the first snow. And if you start growing seedlings from seed, the first flowers will bloom as early as late spring.

Phlox Drummond: description

This herbaceous plant, along with 69 other species, is a member of the Polemonium family. Phlox drummondii was introduced to Europe from the United States in the 19th century and quickly gained popularity for its fragrance, diminutive size, and lushness. Unlike other perennial species, it is especially attractive to gardeners for its versatility (flowerbeds, borders, rock gardens, and pots), its variety of colors, and the variety of flower shapes. The lush bushes do not exceed 40 cm in height. The flowers, which can contain up to 90 in a single complex inflorescence, are 2-3 cm in diameter.

Varieties

Phlox Drummondii is the only one annual speciesIn turn, it has two subspecies:

Large-flowered – plants reach 40 cm in height, the maximum height for this phlox. The inflorescences come in a variety of colors.
Starflower gets its name from the shape of its flowers, which resemble a star with an eye in the center. Height varies by variety and can range from 15 to 35-40 cm.

Common varieties

Breeding institutes have put considerable effort into increasing the popularity of Drummond phlox. They have developed numerous varieties with diverse shapes, colors, and heights. Their work continues today. Among the most popular varieties, gardeners highlight the following:

Button – drought-resistant, two-colored series of varieties with a height of up to 20 cm;
‘Milky Way’ and ‘Star Lace’ – the value of the varieties lies in the star-shaped form of buds;
‘Chanel’ and ‘Strawberry and Cream’ are phlox with double inflorescences and very lush flowering;
Tetra Riesen is a variety with large flowers, the diameter of which reaches 4 cm.

Growing from seeds

To grow strong bushes that will bloom long and profusely, proper gardening practices should be followed from the start. Seeds should be purchased from gardening stores, after first checking that the expiration date is correct and the seeds are viable. If the gardener plans to force the seedlings onto a windowsill, prepare the containers and loose, light soil.

For your information!

In southern regions, sowing is done in December on snow. The seeds are distributed over the compacted snow cover and covered with pre-prepared soil.

Seedling method

To decorate a flowerbed with flowering bushes in early May, use this technique. The optimal time for sowing seeds for seedlings is early spring. Step-by-step instructions:

Take the seedling container and disinfect it using potassium permanganate.
Fill with a soil mixture of peat and sand in equal proportions, baked in the oven.
The seeds are distributed over the substrate and covered with a thin layer of soil.
The box is covered with film and moved to a brightly lit windowsill where the temperature is 21°C.
After the seedlings emerge, the film is removed, and if necessary, the crops are moistened and fed every 10 days with complex fertilizers.
After three weeks, the seedlings are transplanted into separate containers, 3 pieces each.
There they are pinched to stimulate branching after the formation of the fifth true leaf.

Seedless

If there's no opportunity or time to force seedlings, sow directly into open ground. In early May, make shallow furrows and keep them well-watered. Place three seeds in each hole, 15 cm apart, and cover with the removed soil. If all of them sprout, keep only the strongest seedlings. Remove weak specimens promptly to prevent them from robbing the plants of nutrients.

Planting nuances

Phlox thrive in sunny, shade-free areas. Furthermore, the plant is demanding regarding the chemical composition and structure of the soil. It requires fertile soil that is not too heavy. However, very light soil is also unsuitable for phlox. It's best to prepare the site in advance, improving its properties if necessary with natural soil loosening agents (peat, humus), sand, and complex mineral fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium.

Begin planting seedlings in their designated garden or flowerbed location in the first half of May. Harden off the seedlings first. The main stages of gardening are:

The area is cleared of weeds if any have appeared.
Holes are dug according to a pattern of 12 x 12 cm or 25 x 25, depending on the art object being designed and the height of the variety.
The holes are moistened and the seedlings are placed in with a lump of earth.
The plantings are covered with soil, which is slightly compacted.
To protect the roots from overheating, the tree trunks are mulched with peat.

Caring for phlox

To ensure the plant continues to delight with blooms until the first snow, it requires careful care. These steps aren't labor-intensive, but they are essential for lush and long-lasting blooms until frost. Drummond phlox is drought-tolerant, but doesn't like overwatering. Water the plants only during dry spells. Apply water in the evening, applying it to the roots to prevent drips from falling on the flowers. This can lead to the development of fungal diseases.

For your information!

When the air is dry, phlox shoots are susceptible to aphids and spider mites. At the first sign of their presence, spray the plants with an insecticide solution.

The plant has a shallow root system that is easily damaged. Cultivate the soil carefully. To extend the interval between treatments and slow moisture evaporation, it's best to mulch the soil beneath the plants. Peat, compost, and humus are also used as mulch, as they also enrich the soil with various macro- and micronutrients.

During the intensive growing season, the plants are fertilized twice a month. Preference is given to complex mineral fertilizers with high phosphorus and potassium content, as nitrogen stimulates foliage growth at the expense of flower formation. To create the effect of continuous flowering and extend it into late autumn, faded flower buds are promptly removed.

Growing Drummond phlox is not a particularly difficult process. Moreover, the effort is well-worth the abundant blooms, which, with proper care, will continue until frost.