Garden Phlox Phlox paniculata 'Katherine'

Water

Garden Phlox requires consistent moisture, so water the plant once or twice a week, providing about an inch of water each time. It's best to water deeply and less frequently to encourage root growth. During the hotter summer months, you might need to increase the frequency, especially if you see the leaves drooping. Always check the soil moisture by feeling the soil; it should be moist but not soggy. If rain is plentiful, reduce additional watering to avoid waterlogging.

Light

Garden Phlox thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant is one where it can receive at least six hours of sunlight each day. However, a location with some afternoon shade can be beneficial, especially in hotter climates, to prevent the flowers from fading too quickly.

Temperature

Garden Phlox does well in a temperature range that typically extends from 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It is hardy to USDA zones 4 through 8, which means it can survive minimum temperatures down to -30°F. The ideal temperature for this plant is a moderate climate with warm, not hot, summers and cool nighttime temperatures.

Pruning

Pruning Garden Phlox is important for maintaining its shape, encouraging new growth, and preventing disease. Deadhead spent flowers to promote new blooms and cut back the stems after flowering is over, typically in late fall or early spring. Pruning back the stems by one-third in early summer can also help to increase air circulation and reduce the risk of powdery mildew.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Katherine') thrives in a well-draining soil mix rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A good soil mix can be made with equal parts of garden loam, peat moss or compost, and a bit of sand to improve drainage. Regularly adding organic mulch helps maintain soil moisture and enriches the soil as it breaks down.

Repotting

Garden Phlox does not typically require repotting as it is a perennial grown outdoors. Instead, clumps should be divided every 3 to 4 years in the spring to maintain vigor and to prevent overcrowding.

Humidity & Misting

Garden Phlox is not highly sensitive to humidity levels, as it is an outdoor plant. It does well in average garden conditions and does not require a specific humidity level to thrive.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Ensure bright light, good air flow, and cooler temps at night.

• Outdoor

  Plant in sun/partial shade; amend soil with compost.

• Hardiness zone

  4-8 USDA

Life cycle

Garden Phlox 'Katherine' begins its life cycle as a seed, often requiring a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. Upon germination in spring, the seedling emerges and develops into a vegetative plant with a clump-forming habit, exhibiting dark green, lanceolate leaves. As it matures through the growing season, the plant elongates and produces sturdy stems that will eventually bear the distinctive large panicles of light violet to lilac flowers with a white eye in mid to late summer. After pollination, typically by butterflies and hummingbirds attracted to the flowers' nectar, the plant produces small, brown, dehiscent seed capsules which release seeds for the next generation. In autumn, the foliage may change color and the plant begins to enter a dormant period, with the above-ground parts dying back with the onset of colder temperatures. The plant overwinters as rootstock and will resprout the following spring, continuing its perennial cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Early Summer

• Propogation: Garden Phlox, known scientifically as Phlox paniculata 'Katherine', is commonly propagated through stem cuttings taken in summer. This is the most popular method because it preserves the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by stem cuttings, look for healthy, non-flowering stems and make a cut of about 4 to 6 inches long, just below a node. It's important to remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting should then be placed into a well-draining soil mix, kept moist, and covered with a plastic bag or placed in a propagation chamber to maintain high humidity. Roots usually form within 4 to 6 weeks, after which the new Phlox plants can be potted up or transplanted into the garden.