Tall Hybrid Phlox Mixture

Appearance

• Tall phlox earns its name by growing to heights of 3 feet or more. Lance-shaped leaves cover the length of the stem and range from deep green to variegated depending on which variety you receive in your mixture. In the summer, the plants produce a dome-shaped cluster of inch-wide flowers. The most common color of garden phlox is pink, but your hybrid mixture may also contain plants with purple, white, red or magenta flowers.

Phlox Growing Requirements

• Your mixture of tall phlox can be planted in full sun or lightly shaded areas. If you live in an area with hot summers, give your phlox some shade in the afternoon to keep the sun from bleaching the flowers. Plant your phlox in soil that drains well but is able to retain moisture. If your soil is sandy or composed of clay, work organic matter into the soil before planting your phlox mixture. When planting phlox starts or thinning seedlings, allow 18 to 22 inches of space between each plant to accommodate phlox's 2-foot wide spread.

Basic Phlox Care

• Tall phlox needs moist soil to thrive and should never be kept in dry soil. In addition to regular watering, you can keep the soil moist by laying down a 3-inch layer of mulch in your phlox bed. To encourage lush growth, remove all but six stems when the plants in your mixture reach 6 inches tall and pinch back the tips of the remaining stems. Feed your phlox with a 10-10-10 fertilizer or an organic fertilizer in early spring and again in early summer. When using any fertilizer, follow the package directions regarding how much to apply. To keep your phlox bed tidy, cut off the flower clusters as soon as they fade. Dividing your phlox every two to four years will prevent the plants from becoming too crowded.

Phlox Problems

• Powdery mildew can be a problem with tall garden phlox. Prevent this fungal disease by keeping your phlox well-spaced to improve air flow and watering at the base of the plant, not overhead. If possible, look for a hybrid mixtures of phlox that is resistant to powdery mildew.Tall phlox is also subject to spider mite infestations. These spider relatives look like tiny red dots on the underside of leaves and live by feeding off the juices of your plants. A small infestation can be taken care of with a blast of water from the hose, but a heavier infestation should be treated with insecticidal soap.