Phlox is so versatile that it can find a place in practically every garden. You can find the phlox as an annual plant or perennial, tall or as a creeping ground cover. The choice is certainly not easy.
Which Phlox varieties are suitable for the garden?
Phlox varieties are diverse and can be divided into annual and perennial varieties. Perennial varieties are hardy and include perennial phlox as well as ground cover phlox such as carpet phlox and cushion phlox. Annual varieties, also called summer phlox, offer a wide range of flower colors and shapes.
Perennial Phlox
Among the perennial varieties of phlox you will find both perennial phlox and ground-cover varieties. What they all have in common is that they are hardy. Some varieties need protection from the sun rather than the cold during this time. Perennial phlox can be easily propagated by division.
Annual Phlox
There are numerous variations of the annual phlox, also known as summer phlox. They usually do not grow as tall as the perennial herbaceous phlox and, in contrast to this, are of course not winter hardy. In annual Phlox you will find a particularly large selection of flower colors and shapes, such as star-shaped or multi-colored flowers.
Perennial Phlox
The large-leaf phlox (Phlox amplifolia) is one of the more robust varieties. It tolerates both heat and partial shade and even copes well with a longer dry period. Particularly noteworthy is its good resistance to powdery mildew, algae and other diseases[. Depending on the variety, it can reach a size of up to 1.70 meters and blooms for a particularly long time.
Phlox as ground cover
The types of carpet phlox (Phlox subulata) and upholstery phlox (Phlox douglaasi), for example, are suitable as ground cover. They are not only suitable for rock gardens and bed edges but also for grave planting due to their low growth. The Soil should be sandy and well-drained for these varieties. They bloom around May and June.
The wandering phlox (Phlox stolonifera) is also not very large, reaching a height of up to 30 cm. It tolerates light shade and moist soil best. If it is too shady, it will not bloom extensively. Phlox stolonifera spreads relatively quickly through runners. It blooms from April to June.
Tips & Tricks
Plant the species that best fit your garden, the range is very large. With the right choice, you can enjoy blooming phlox all summer long.
