Count on tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata hybrids) to provide a colorful summer display in perennial gardens, blooming as much as six weeks or more. Some cultivars begin blooming in mid-summer, others not until late August. Most tall garden phlox grow two to three feet, with some slightly taller.
Garden phlox are available in a wide range of pink, rose, red, lavender, purple, orange and white, along with bi-colors that have an “eye” in the center of each flower or a contrasting margin. Cultivars range from softest pastels to electric, “knock-your-socks-off” brilliant blooms. In addition to their visual appeal, many tall garden phlox are sweetly perfumed. Tall garden phlox needs sun to bloom.
Tall garden phlox are typically purchased as potted plants from nurseries, garden centers, or local farmers markets. Make sure you get Phlox paniculata because there are other phlox species that, while very lovely, will have different growth habits and growing requirements than what we describe here.
Phlox are beautiful perennial flowering plants that come in a wide variety of colors and grow well in many climates. They are popular choices for cottage gardens, cutting gardens and even as houseplants. With their spectacular blooms and sweet fragrance it’s no wonder gardeners love to incorporate phlox into their landscapes.
While phlox plants are relatively easy to grow, their health and vigor can deteriorate over time. When this happens, it may be necessary to transplant the phlox to a new location. Transplanting phlox is a fairly straightforward process if done properly. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to successfully transplant phlox for an even more vibrant garden display.
When is the Best Time to Transplant Phlox
Timing is key when it comes to transplanting phlox. The best time to move phlox plants is either early spring or fall. Transplanting in early spring allows the plants time to establish before summer heat sets in. It also allows them to develop new roots before going dormant for winter. Late summer or early fall is another ideal time, as the plants can establish themselves before the first frost. Avoid transplanting phlox in summer when hot, dry weather can put added stress on the plants.
Tools and Supplies Needed
Before beginning. gather the necessary tools and supplies
- Shovel or garden spade
- Trowel
- Gardening gloves
- Water source such as a hose or watering can
- Soil amendments (compost, peat moss, etc.)
- Mulch
Ensure your shovel or trowel blade is sharp to cleanly cut through roots for minimal damage. You’ll also need a wheelbarrow or garden cart if transplanting a sizeable clump of phlox.
Selecting Phlox Plants for Transplanting
When selecting phlox plants to move, choose young, healthy specimens free of disease or insect damage. Avoid older plants as they may not tolerate transplanting as well.
For established clumps, select vigorous shoots around the outer edges Avoid taking too much from the center as this can compromise the main plant Dividing large clumps into smaller sections also minimizes stress.
When digging, aim to retain as much of the root system as possible. Having an extensive, healthy root mass will help the transplants establish quickly.
Preparing the Planting Hole
Proper soil preparation is key to phlox transplant success. The new planting hole should be dug at least twice as wide as the plant’s root ball. Make the hole only as deep as the root mass.
While digging, loosen and break up the soil at the bottom of the hole. This encourages new root growth down into the ground. Mixing in soil amendments such as compost or peat moss also creates a nurturing environment for new root development.
How to Transplant Phlox Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps for transplanting phlox:
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Water phlox plants 1-2 days before digging them up. This makes removal easier and minimizes stress.
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Dig deeply around the perimeter of the root ball then slide a shovel or spade underneath to lift the plant. Support heavy clumps from below.
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Gently place phlox plant in the prepared hole. The top of the root ball should sit level with the ground.
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Backfill around plant with native soil, pressing gently to fill in air pockets.
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Water thoroughly until soil is moist but not saturated.
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Place 2-3 inches of mulch around base, avoiding contact with the crown.
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Provide regular watering over the first 4-6 weeks to encourage root establishment.
Aftercare Tips for Transplanted Phlox
Proper aftercare is vital for transplanted phlox. Here are some key tips:
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Monitor soil moisture closely, watering when the top few inches become dry. Avoid overwatering.
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Consider using transplant fertilizer or root stimulator to encourage new root growth. Always follow label directions.
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Stake tall varieties if needed to prevent wind damage while new roots develop.
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Remove spent blooms to promote new flowering. Deadheading improves appearance and plant vigor.
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Watch for signs of transplant shock like leaf curling or yellowing. Increase water and shade if necessary.
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Mulch each spring with fresh material to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Leave space around the crown.
Transplant Shock in Phlox
Despite best efforts, transplanted phlox may still experience some degree of shock. Symptoms include yellowing or wilted leaves, stunted growth, and failure to bloom. Don’t panic right away, as plants often recover over time. Continue caring for the phlox by keeping it well-watered and in ideal growing conditions. Recovery can take several weeks to a few months depending on the severity of shock. If plants decline rapidly or fail to recover, removal may be necessary.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Transplanted Phlox
Choose a sunny to partially shady spot with well-draining soil when transplanting phlox. They thrive in loamy, humus-rich soil amended with organic material. Good drainage is imperative to prevent root rot. Shelter from hot afternoon sun prevents foliage scorching in summer.
Space phlox plants 12-18 inches apart depending on variety size to allow for ample air circulation. This prevents powdery mildew and other foliage diseases. Avoid planting extremely close to trees or shrubs with dense shade and aggressive root systems.
Best Uses for Transplanted Phlox
Thanks to its diversity, transplanted phlox serves many uses beyond ornamental planting:
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Cut Flowers – Many phlox varieties make excellent cut flowers. Their long vase life brightens floral displays.
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Fragrance – Sweetly scented varieties perfume gardens when planted near patios, decks, or walkways.
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Groundcover – Low-growing, spreading types quickly fill in blank areas and suppress weeds.
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Borders and Edging – Mid-sized varieties define beds, walkways, and other garden edges.
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Containers – Compact, mounding types thrive in patio pots and window boxes. Provide regular watering.
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Pollinator Gardens – Butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees flock to phlox flowers for their nectar.
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Cottage Gardens – All sizes blend perfectly with other old-fashioned annuals and perennials.
Tips for Transplanting Different Phlox Types
While techniques remain mostly the same, small adjustments help tailor transplanting for specific phlox species:
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Tall Garden Phlox – Given their height, secure taller plants with stakes after transplanting. Pinching back the growing tips encourages bushiness.
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Creeping Phlox – These spread rapidly so it’s easy to divide and transplant sections. Avoid burying creeping stems too deeply.
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Moss Phlox – Take extra care not to damage the delicate root systems. They prefer sandy, fast-draining soil.
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Drummond’s Phlox – Given their annual life cycle, allow seeds to drop before removing plants for transplanting elsewhere.
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Woodland Phlox – Transplant in early spring before abundant growth occurs. Add extra soil amendments to mimic their preferred enriched forest soil.
Troubleshooting Common Phlox Transplant Problems
While phlox are typically easy to move, issues can sometimes arise:
Drooping or wilting – Plants may wilt after transplanting. This is normal. Ensure adequate watering and light shade if extreme. Staking may help prevent stem damage.
Few or no flowers – Bloom delay is common due to transplant shock. Allow more time for plants to recover. Fertilizing can encourage blooms.
Root crown rot – Soggy soil promotes fungal infections at the crown. Improve drainage and allow soil to dry between waterings.
Weak leggy growth – Insufficient light causes leggy, thin stems. Move to a sunnier location and pinch back tips to encourage bushy growth.
Leaf spots or powdery mildew – Fungal diseases may occur after transplanting. Improve air circulation and avoid wetting foliage when watering.
Inadequate root establishment – If roots fail to develop well, water more frequently and consider using a root stimulator to encourage growth.
Achieve Enduring Garden Color with Transplanted Phlox
When done properly, transplanting phlox is an easy, effective way to propagate new plants and reignite growth. By following these tips for careful selection, gentle digging, attentive aftercare, and ideal growing conditions, gardeners can continue enjoying their phlox for many more seasons. A little time and effort now helps ensure lasting garden color.
Common issues with tall garden phlox
Powdery mildew can be a destructive disease on tall garden phlox. It appears as disfiguring, powdery white spots on the foliage. When these spots merge, they can nearly obliterate any remaining green tissue, moving onto the flowers as well.
Maintaining good air circulation will help reduce powdery mildew problems, but the best way to avoid the disease is to choose disease resistant cultivars in the first place, then make sure theyre neither crowded nor shaded when you plant them.
If necessary, you could begin a fungicide spray program using sulfur or chlorothalonil (sold as Daconil 2787) at the earliest signs of infection.
Phlox may also develop other fungal leaf spots, particularly on lower leaves. However, they are rarely serious enough to warrant treatment.
Spider mites are the most troublesome “insect” pests of phlox. (Mites are not true insects, but are arachnids, similar to spiders.) They insert their sucking mouthparts to remove liquids from phlox leaves, causing pinprick yellow discoloration of the foliage, eventually turning leaves dry and brown.
Spider mites are generally worse in hot, dry summers than when its cooler or more moist. Vigorously growing plants are better able to tolerate mite feeding, so make sure phlox are watered and fertilized adequately to insure their vigor.
An insecticidal soap spray can be moderately effective, particularly if you catch the mite infestation in its early stages.
If the mite problem is severe, check your local garden center for Kelthane (dicofol), a miticide labeled specifically for use on ornamentals or flowering perennials.
- Apply any spray very early in the day, when temperatures will remain cool for several hours.
- Spraying during the heat of the day is more likely to damage foliage.
How to care for tall garden phlox
- Keep soil moist by watering thoroughly on a regular basis
- Water the soil rather than phlox foliage to aid in disease prevention
- If you must water overhead, water early in the morning so plants will dry rapidly in the sun
- Spread two to three inches of mulch after the soil warms in mid- to late June to keep the soil cool and damp, and to reduce weed growth
- Once stems are about six inches tall, eliminate all but five or six stems per plant, then pinch back the growing tips of those remaining stems (youll find they become more robust, produce larger clusters of flowers, and are less bothered by powdery mildew)
- A spring application of manure or compost is beneficial each year
- If not using manure or compost, you can apply a light application of 10-10-10 fertilizer as new growth emerges each spring, and then again just before plants begin to flower
If your phlox produces seeds, the resulting seedlings will not resemble the parent and will usually turn out to be pale magenta. To keep your plants the color you chose initially, its important to “deadhead” or remove clusters of faded flowers so mature, viable seeds are not dropped to the ground.
Some newer phlox cultivated varieties are sterile, but even then, deadheading is a good idea because it results in more attractive plants. And sometimes if you fertilize adequately, phlox may put out an unexpected second smaller flush of blooms.
Garden Tips : How to Transplant Phlox Flowers
FAQ
Do phlox like sun or shade?
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Mt. Cuba Center |https://mtcubacenter.orgPhlox for Shade – Mt. Cuba CenterSummary. Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) and creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera) are both shade-loving species prized for their beautiful spring flowers. Many …
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American Meadowshttps://www.americanmeadows.comHow To Choose The Best Phlox – American MeadowsBest Phlox for Sunny Cottage Gardens. A sunny cottage garden is an exuberant collection of bright flowers and contrasting textures in a wildlife-friendly atmosp…
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Heirloom Roseshttps://heirloomroses.comPhlox: Shade or Sun, Pots or Beds– a Plant for Every SpaceThe Same Plant, Different Sun Requirements Phlox is available in two main varieties: Garden (or meadow) Phlox and Woodland Phlox. Garden Phlox performs best in …
Does phlox spread quickly?
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Creeping Phlox:This variety is known for its fast-spreading habit, often used as a ground cover to suppress weeds and prevent erosion. It spreads via above-ground stems (stolons) that root where they touch the ground, forming a thick mat.
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Woodland Phlox:This species spreads more slowly than creeping phlox, typically forming clumps via seeds or creeping stems. It’s often used in shady areas or at the edges of woodlands.
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Tall Garden Phlox:These varieties are upright and generally don’t spread as much, often used as a background plant in borders or as a layer of color in the middle of the garden.