The best varieties of phlox for a bright flower garden
The best varieties of phlox are different for each grower. Some people like the proud tall bushes with large inflorescences. Others prefer compact plants a little more than half a meter tall. Most gardeners prefer perennials without bothering themselves with planting seedlings annually. And there are also such connoisseurs who are not a burden to renew the flower bed with new plantings of annual phlox every spring.
Perhaps it is difficult to single out the really best species among the huge variety of these delicate flowers. They are all good and beautiful in their own way. High and low, early and late, large and small - phlox are still charming. Today we have selected for you a small collection of these brightly flowering plants. We hope that it will help both novice flower growers and experienced phlox fans make their choice. So, we present to your attention the best varieties and varieties of phlox.
Early flowering phlox white pyramidal
Some growers consider these plants to be a separate species. In fact, this is the name for varieties of spotted or meadow phlox, which have a characteristic shape of inflorescences. They are wide, but "folded" into an elongated pyramid, a bit like an ear corn... And they are called spotted because of the presence of barely noticeable brown spots on the stems.
Pyramidal phloxes are distinguished by early flowering.
Some of the brightest representatives of the pyramidal white group are the following phlox:
- Shneelavin (Snow Avalanche). The height of the bush is up to 80 cm, grows rapidly, blooms in June. The flowers are pure white, no more than 3 cm in diameter.
- Delta. The bush grows up to 1 m in height, blooms in July. The inflorescences are narrow, the flowers are white, with a crimson center and thin rays along the petals of the same color.
- Omega. Fast-growing phlox up to 90 cm high. Blooms in mid-summer. The flowers are white, with a pale lilac ring.
- Natasha. The plant growing up to 80 cm develops slowly. In July, long inflorescences bloom on the tops of the shoots. They consist of small, maximum 2.9 cm in diameter, two-colored flowers. The petals themselves are white, and a wide crimson-pink stripe is drawn along the center. In the sun, it fades and becomes lighter.
Although spotted phlox are related to resistant paniculata, they are weaker. Bushes are more often affected powdery mildew, spots and nematodes.
We should also mention the pyramidal lilac phlox. It also has characteristic elongated inflorescences. They are slightly loose, consist of small, up to 2 cm in diameter, lilac flowers. The middle is slightly darker, and the petals have wavy edges. Of this group, it is the earliest flowering one - the first buds open in early June. The bush is quite tall, over 1 m.
Charming small-flowered phlox
Small-flowered phloxes are no less beautiful than their large-flowered relatives. Despite their size, they have their own advantages. For example, such inflorescences are absolutely indifferent to rain and wind. They do not get disheveled, do not sag under the weight of drops. In addition, phlox with small flowers are easier and easier to grow. Plants develop well and bloom even without regular additional watering and fertilizing. In addition, the bushes grow compact, keep their shape well and do not need to be tied up. In terms of color, this group contains almost all colors of the rainbow.
Small-flowered phlox are considered to be, in which the flower diameter does not exceed 2.5 cm.
One of the charming representatives of small-flowered phlox varieties, a photo of which can be seen below, is the hummingbird phlox. It belongs to the paniculate color group.
The variety is distinguished by its large, semi-friable and branched, conical inflorescence. At the same time, the flowers of the phlox Hummingbird are only 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter, lilac-blue, very light shades. A purple star is visible in the center. The stems are strong, with plenty of foliage. The variety is characterized by high winter hardiness.
The cosmic charm of the star phlox
Most gardeners consider phlox to be perennials. However, there is only one species among them, the lifespan of which is limited to one season. This is Drummond's phlox, perhaps the longest flowering and most varied in color culture. Dissolving its inflorescences in early summer, it does not stop blooming until the first frost. Externally, the bush also differs from perennials. Its stems are thin and branched, with lanceolate-oval leaves. The height of the plants is very compact and does not exceed 40 cm. Some varieties of annuals are even dwarfs - only 12-15 cm tall. As for the color, everyone can choose a plant for their taste and color. Phlox can have a wide variety of colors, from white to chocolate.
Phlox Drummond, in turn, are of two types:
- large-flowered (they have flowers with wide and rounded petals, which have an even edge);
- stellate (these petals are cut into thin segments, some of them are longer than others, making the flowers look like stars).
Star phlox, as this variety of Drummond is also called, is one of the most beloved by flower growers. The original shape, long flowering and many-sided color - what else is needed to decorate a flower garden? The most beautiful varieties of star phlox include:
- Twinkling star (dark pink flowers with a white border);
- Ferdinand (flowers are claret-purple, in the center is a large white star with lilac tops, the edges of the petals are white);
- Star rain with white and pink flowers;
- Light Blue with blue and white flowers.
Powerful broadleaf phlox
Among the garden beauties there are real heroes - broad-leaved phlox. These plants differ from other varieties by their impressive appearance and "good health". They almost never get sick with anything and grow quickly. In a short time, a small seedling turns into a dense bush with strong shoots. But the main difference is still the foliage - it is larger than that of other phloxes. The width of the leaf plate can reach 8 cm with a length of 17 cm.
Three types of broadleaf phlox are popular among gardeners:
- David (white);
- Davids Lavender (lilac with a white center);
- Goliath (light lilac with a white ring).
Needle phlox - a flowering bedspread in your garden
As a separate type of needle phlox does not exist. Often this is the name for subulate phlox, they are sod, for the shape of the leaves. The structure of this plant variety is peculiar. The bush grows in the form of many recumbent stems, densely covered with small leaves. They resemble hard needles with a sharp tip no more than 2 cm long. This is probably why phlox got its name.
The “needles” retain their green color for a long time, until the onset of real winter frosts.
Growing, phlox forms a real green carpet that transforms during flowering. It begins in late spring, and sometimes the second wave comes in early autumn. The flowers are small, no more than 2.5 cm in diameter. But there are so many of them that the bushes themselves are sometimes not visible. Although the plants branch out quite well on their own, their shape can be adjusted by cutting. But the height of subulate phlox does not exceed 17 cm on average, which is why they are also called mini-phlox.
To date, foreign selection prevails among the varieties available for purchase.Perhaps this is due to the fact that this species rarely sets seeds. However, the "overseas" phloxes are very effective and charming, for example, like these varieties:
- Thumbelina. Bushes no more than 15 cm high. The flowers are pink, small, with a carmine ring.
- Aurora. The bush is no higher than 12 cm. The flowers are white, star-shaped, with an imperceptible pink tint.
- Wilson. Highest variety with 20 cm bushes. The flowers are very small, lavender blue.
Mysterious smoky phlox
Smoky species can be considered one of the most beautiful and best varieties of phlox. They are usually not distinguished into a separate group, however, the color of such phloxes has an individual character. It's all about the light so-called haze - a thin silvery (less often chestnut) bloom on the petals. Due to the haze, the initial color of the inflorescences is able to change.
Among the smoky phlox varieties, it is worth noting:
- Berendey;
- Selena;
- Bach.
Phlox Berendey
The bush is compact, up to 80 cm in height. Shoots are strong, but slightly inclined under the weight of large rounded inflorescences. Blooms in July, large flowers are purple at first, with a lighter center. The petals are covered with a silvery coating, thanks to which the flowers gradually turn gray.
If the weather is hot, the haze practically does not appear and the flowers remain lilac.
Phlox Selena
A medium-sized bush no more than 80 cm in height grows quickly. It blooms from the middle of summer with large, lush and conical inflorescences. In the photo of phlox Selena, you can see that the large dark pink flowers are covered with a gray haze. The middle of the flower in the form of a white star remains unchanged. The color of the petals changes to silvery in cool weather. They themselves are slightly wrapped inside the flower.
Phlox Bach
The full name of the variety is Johann Sebastian Bach. The bush grows up to 80 cm in height. Stems are slender but firm, drooping slightly. Phlox Bach (photo above) blooms in July. Flowers and inflorescences are medium, dark pink with a raspberry ring. The petals are wavy, covered with a gray haze. Subtle brownish strokes are traced on them.
The variety is sensitive to bad weather and sun. It is better to plant phlox in partial shade.
Here they are so diverse, some of the best varieties of phlox. Large heads of bright inflorescences leave no one indifferent. Choose the ones you like, plant under the window and admire their flowering and aroma.