- Determine when to divide phlox. Divide phlox while it still looks healthy. ...
- Remove the entire cluster of phlox from the ground. [2] ...
- Wash the soil from the roots with a garden hose. This gives you a better look at the roots and plant crowns.
- Make multiple small divisions from the cluster. Make sure each new division has at least 1 or 2 healthy plant crowns and an ample root base to sustain the ...
- Cut the cluster into 2 to 4 smaller clusters by chopping it with the garden shovel. Keep the new plant divisions cool and moist.
How do you divide phlox plants?
To divide phlox, cut around the root ball with a sharp spade, then gently lift the plant out from the ground. Remove excess dirt from the roots.
How do you get rid of Phlox roots?
Chop the roots under the plant by circling back around the trench again with your shovel. Push the shovel blade into the ground, angling it to reach under the plant's root base. Push down on the handle to lift the roots. Continue around the phlox until the cluster lifts from the ground. Wash the soil from the roots with a garden hose.
How often should you divide Phlox?
As a general rule, phlox plant division can be done every two to four years in spring or fall. When phlox plants start producing fewer or no blooms, it may be time to divide them. Likewise, if the foliage becomes sparse, it is probably time for dividing phlox.
How big does a phlox plant get?
As with most kinds of tall garden phlox, the center or "eye" of the flower is a different color from the rest of the petal. Bright Eyes reaches 1.5 to 2 feet in height and spreads to be 1 to 1.5 feet wide. Thai Pink Jade grows to be 2 to 3 feet tall, with a spread of 15 to 24 inches. Continue to 7 of 10 below.
When can you divide tall phlox?
Most phlox need to be divided every two to four years if they're growing well. The best time to do divide and transplant is in spring, before new growth begins. Each division should consist of three to five vigorous shoots with roots attached.
How do you split and transplant phlox?
To divide phlox, cut around the root ball with a sharp spade, then gently lift the plant out from the ground. Remove excess dirt from the roots. Separate the roots into sections with three or more shoots and adequate roots with a sharp, clean knife. Plant these new divisions immediately and water them thoroughly.
Will tall phlox spread?
It spreads slowly, growing in mounds that get 4–6 inches thick. The whole plant turns into a carpet of color in spring, when flowers cover every square inch of foliage.
Should tall phlox be cut back?
Garden phlox can be kept more compact by cutting them back in late spring or early summer.
Should you deadhead tall phlox?
Since phlox is a perennial, the resulting seedlings can become weedy and often do not bloom. Deadheading the plants allows the parent plant to focus on providing blooms and keeping the main crown healthy. You can then divide the plant every two to three years and make more of this lovely bloomer if you wish.
Is phlox easy to transplant?
0:132:04Garden Tips : How to Transplant Phlox Flowers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe best time to do this is either early spring or in the fall fall is probably better because thisMoreThe best time to do this is either early spring or in the fall fall is probably better because this is an early spring bloomer. And we don't want to disturb it when it's blooming.
What grows well with tall phlox?
Perennial Gardens Garden phlox makes a good companion for other summer-blooming perennials such as lilies, bee balm, rudbeckia, Shasta daisies, yarrow, clematis and daylilies.
Do you cut phlox back in the fall?
Cut Back: Phlox Like bee balm, this fragrant flower likes to spread and can be vulnerable to mildew. Trim it down to the soil in the fall to help prevent mildew from taking hold. If plants are especially thick, try using a small billhook to grab and cut off stems.
Does phlox like sun or shade?
Light: Both varieties of phlox enjoy full sun, although the upright Garden phlox can take a little afternoon shade, particularly in the south. Soil: Phlox is tolerant of most garden soils, but well-drained soil is preferable, particularly in northern areas where spring snow is slow to drain.
How do you prepare a tall phlox for winter?
Tall Phlox (Phlox paniculata) – Cut back to ground when foliage dies back....When to prune depends on the variety of perennial but can be separated into mainly 3 categories:Prune down completely after killing frost.Prune down in fall or spring to basal foliage.Don't Prune in fall (prune or clean up in spring)
Should I cut down phlox for winter?
Winterizing Garden Phlox If you live in a colder region, you can protect the phlox roots with a layer of mulch, but be sure to do this before the ground freezes. However, you can also prune phlox for winter by cutting them back once the flowers have faded. Prune in the late summer through the fall to avoid reseeding.
What do you do with phlox after it blooms?
The biggest part of caring for phlox as they complete their blooming cycle involves deadheading and pruning. As blooms begin to fade away in late spring, it is important to remove them from the plant. Not only does this help to keep the plant from becoming unsightly, it also helps to improve its health and vigor.
How to transplant phlox?
Keep the new plant divisions cool and moist. Put the bare-rooted phlox into boxes, buckets or pots and move them into the shade if you are transplanting on a hot, sunny day. Cover the plants with newspaper to help them retain moisture.
How to get phlox to grow in the ground?
Push the shovel blade into the ground, angling it to reach under the plant's root base. Push down on the handle to lift the roots. Continue around the phlox until the cluster lifts from the ground. ...
How tall does a phlox plant grow?
The most common garden phlox variety is the tall phlox, which grows to heights of 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 m) tall in large clusters of dense foliage. This hardy perennial plant does best when it is divided every 3 to 5 years.
How to see the crowns of a plant?
Wash the soil from the roots with a garden hose. This gives you a better look at the roots and plant crowns. The crowns are visible at the top of the root base. ...
How to leave a plant in its original location?
If you want to leave a piece of the plant in its original location, you can plant 1 of the divisions back into the original spot later. Dig a trench around the outside of the entire plant cluster , severing the plant's roots with the blade of your garden shovel as you go.
When to divide creeping phlox?
To spread the early spring color to other parts of the yard, divide creeping phlox after it blooms in the spring.
How long does creeping phlox bloom?
Plant creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) and you can welcome spring with a carpetlike display of pink, purple or white blooms that lasts for two to three weeks and increases in size each year.
How to get a good size root ball?
Dig down into the soil, cutting straight through the non-woody mat of plant growth with the blade of the shovel. Dig down several inches to get a decent size root ball. The roots are typically short, but spread over the length of the plant stem where it contacts soil.
How to propagate phlox?
Propagate phlox plants is by dividing them in early spring. Dig your phlox plant out of the ground and split it into smaller clumps using a sharp knife. Then replant these clumps.
What is the difference between a phlox and a garden phlox?
Phlox subulata stays short and creeps, while garden phlox is tall and upright. As a result of these physical differences, the two are used differently. Creeping phlox is a ground cover, whereas garden phlox, with its greater height, is more likely to be found in the middle row or back row of a flower bed.
What are the different types of phlox?
Other types of phlox include 1 : 1 Drummond phlox ( Phlox drummondii) is an annual species. 2 While less popular, there is another creeping phlox besides Phlox subulata. It is called Phlox stolonifera. Among other differences between the two, the latter tolerates partial shade, whereas Phlox subulata needs full sun to thrive. 3 Woodland phlox ( Phlox divaricata ): This perennial shares the feature of blooming in spring with creeping phlox, but its size is more reminiscent of garden phlox. 4 Spotted phlox ( Phlox maculata) is a perennial similar to garden phlox both regarding bloom time and appearance. It has less of a problem with powdery mildew than does Phlox paniculata.
What family is phlox?
The Phlox genus belongs to the Polemoniaceae, or "Jacob's ladder," family. The garden phlox species ( P. paniculata) within that genus is valued for the long-lasting blooms it sports during the summer months. The flowers bear a mild fragrance and come in a wide range of colors.
Does phlox need full sun?
Among other differences between the two, the latter tolerates partial shade, whereas Phlox subulata needs full sun to thrive. Woodland phlox ( Phlox divaricata ): This perennial shares the feature of blooming in spring with creeping phlox, but its size is more reminiscent of garden phlox.
Is phlox a perennial?
Garden phlox grows in upright clumps, and it is a moderately tall perennial. In fact, "tall phlox" is another of its common names. The species name of paniculata refers to the "panicles" of blooms (flower heads) held atop its stalks.
Do phlox flowers come back?
Considering the value that garden phlox flowers add to a landscape, the care that they need is minimal. If located in a sunny spot and provided with a soil that drains well, they should thrive and come back year after year. Even their biggest nemesis, a disease known as powdery mildew, is rarely fatal to them; it will just spoil their looks a bit.
