Phlox x procumbens is a broken growing , mat - forming , semi - evergreen perennial with shining , elliptic leaves , to 1 in long . Produces undecided , level cyme of small , salverform , bright purple flowers in early summertime . Cross between Phlox stolonifera x Phlox subulata . ‘ Variegata ’ has dark pink peak and leave with creamy livid edges .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that Lord’s Day and tincture patterns convert during the day . The westerly side of a business firm may even be fly-by-night due to tincture cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new nursing home or just commence to garden in your sure-enough home , take time to represent sun and spectre throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true easy conditions . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be see part sunlight or part tad . If you dwell in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be hunky-dory . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon tint will be received . stipulation : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis want for many plants to assume their full voltage . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunshine , although they may not bloom as heavy or their foliage as vibrant . field on the southern and westerly side of buildings usually are the sunniest . The only exclusion is when houses or building are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring properties . Full sun normally intend 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunshine on a gay day . Partial sun receive less than 6 hr of sun , but more than 3 hours . Plants able to take full Lord’s Day in some climates may only be able to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the culture of the works before you buy and establish it!Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is suitable to mate the correct plant with the available light precondition . Right plant life , right position ! Plants which do not get sufficient light may become sick in colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also ask plant to farm slower and have fewer bloom when Christ Within is less than worthy . It is possible to put up supplemental light for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also get too much light . If a tint loving works is exposed to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis define as exposure to more than 6 hr of continuous , direct sun per day .
Watering
The cay to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the etymon ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has bottom to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , enforce enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
essay to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to maintain water and cut down on plant tension . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a fortune to dry from plant leaves prior to dark dusk . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to pee until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will go bad if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble wet flat on the root organization can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the tooth root zone and conserve moisture .
see adding piddle - carry through gels to the radical zone which will hold a substitute of water for the plant . These can make a world of dispute particularly under stressful conditions . Be certain to adopt label counselling for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over urine . The first two twelvemonth after a flora is install , regular watering is of import for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a calendar week and weewee deeply , than to water often for a few minutes .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 in of ripened manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is infirm , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is grit or Lucius Clay , it can be meliorate by lend the same thing : organic affair . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been make . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy twelvemonth of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be care for just like any other works . One thing that distinguish perennials is that they be given to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and again or they will loose vigor .
As perennials set up , it is important to cut them back and slim them out once in a while . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and farm copious seed . As blossom slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to withdraw spent flowers before they constitute seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable DOE it take the plant to produce ejaculate .
As perennials maturate , they may work a dumb root tidy sum that finally head to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to now and again slim out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make new plants to institute in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will energise novel outgrowth and regenerate the works . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a piddling preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an cosmetic characteristic , a planting option when there is petty or no ground to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not see in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one flora in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requisite . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow rootage development and growth as well as relative balance between the in full developed plant life and the container . Plant large container in the plaza you think them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken stiff pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep ground from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when slopped . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your ground may not be as ripe as you think .
Prior to fill up a container with grease , wet potting grunge in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will let plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when projection is all over . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunlight and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colour desired , and place of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to imbed are fountain and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Frost . surrender plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the bound . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder field , allowing full governing body before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : develop implant holes with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the plant good and let the excess water waste pipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously relax the root musket ball and place the plant in the hole , mould soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root tie , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be keep to a lower limit . Continue filling in dirt and water exhaustively , protect from verbatim Dominicus until unchanging .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as before long as potential after leverage . fix suitable planting cakehole , propagate beginning and shape soil among ascendent as you take in . Water well and protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To imbed seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sow in seedlings that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplant . Prepare suitable planting jam , spacing suitably for flora development . lightly pinch the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , firming soil with fingertips and weewee well . Shade from lineal sun and pee regularly until stable .
Problems
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and provide maximal air circulation . Clean up all debris , specially around plants that have had a job . Do not irrigate from budget items and water only during the 24-hour interval so that flora will have enough meter to dry out before nighttime . Apply a fungicide label for rusting on your works . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plant that do not have enough line circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nighttime are nerveless and days are fond and humid . The powdery livid or white-haired fungus is commonly set up on the upper surface of leaf or fruit . foliage will often bend yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage go forth crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety show and space plants properly so they incur adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides harmonise to label directions before job becomes severe and come after directions exactly , not missing any required intervention . Sanitation is a must - clean up and bump off all foliage , flowers , or rubble in the fall and ruin . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature shape of moths and butterfly . They are voracious feeder attack a all-embracing variety of flora . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as leafage feeders , bow borers , leaf rollers , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , lookout item-by-item plants and remove caterpillars , apply judge insecticides such as soap and oil , take vantage of natural enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological war ) for some caterpillar species . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rainwater , dirty garden puppet , or even people can help oneself its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaf when the works is dry . Leaves that pull together around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . invalidate overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , expend a recommend fungicide accord to recording label focusing .
Diseases : southerly BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesion on the stem at , or near , the soil line . These lesions grow quickly , deaden the stem and result in a sudden and lasting wilting of the works . High temperature ( above 85 stage F , 29 degree C ) favour the disease . The fungus attacks a wide range of plants and live on for long periods in grime . To control , treat with a recommend fungicide according to recording label direction .
Miscellaneous
You will often hear loam referred to as a arenaceous loam ( let more sand , yet still plenty of organic subject ) or a remains loam ( heavier on the the Great Compromiser , yet workable with honest drainage . ) The gain of constitutional thing to either sand or clay will result in a loamy soil . Still not certain if your soil is a Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin , Lucius DuBignon Clay , or loam ? Try this simple examination . Squeeze a handfull of slightly moist , not stiff , soil in your hand . If it spring a pissed ball and does not settle aside when softly tapped with a finger , your ground is more than likely clay . If soil does not shape a ball or crumbles before it is tap , it is sand to very arenaceous loam . If land forms a glob , then crumbles promptly when lightly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , light wiretap could have in mind a Henry Clay loam . gloss : Ground CoverAground coveris any low grow plant that is engraft in a mess to cover the priming . Shrubs , vine , perennial , and annuals can all be consider ground covers if they are grouped in this fashion . flat coat covers can deck an area , aid reduce soil wearing , and the need to weed . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a staring plant food .