Phlox (Annual) Growing Guide

Phlox drummondii

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Well-drained soil of average fertility.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Limited, though young seedlings often survive light frosts.

Feeding

Mix a light application of a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil prior to planting. In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid fertilizer to prolong bloom time.

Spacing

Single Plants: 5" (15cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 5" (15cm) with 5" (15cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow annual phlox seeds indoors to get a head start, or you can plant the seeds where you want the plants to grow two weeks before your last spring frost is expected. Transplant carefully, without disturbing the roots.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Annual phlox attracts butterflies and beneficial pollinators. In warm climates, annual phlox sometimes reseeds but it is never invasive. Colors include rose pink, white, purple and light pink.

Harvesting

After annual phlox has bloomed heavily for a few weeks and is slowing down, cut back the plants by half their size. The new growth will produce a second flush of flowers.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Phlox (Annual)

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail