Panicled phloxes are deservedly popular with flower growers. Their unpretentiousness in care and long flowering will not leave anyone indifferent. Therefore, every year the selection gives more and more interesting varieties of this plant. And one of them is "strawberry soufflé" phlox, the combination of shades of which evokes the idea of an exquisite airy dessert. This type of flower is suitable for both cutting and creating unusual group plantings in a flower bed.
Photo and description of phlox "strawberry soufflé"
This variety belongs to the group of perennial panicled phloxes. It is characterized by a tall bush, whose height reaches 110 cm. The shoots are strong, woody at the base.
Oval-lanceolate leaves on the stem are opposite. The flowers are a deep salmon pink with strawberrytint and a purple eye in the center, the shade does not fade in the sun. Their diameter reaches 3.5 cm. The shape of the flowers is tubular-funnel-shaped with five petals. They are tightly collected in inflorescences, thereby forming a lush bright panicle.
Since phlox "strawberry soufflé" is a perennial plant, it develops a powerful root system - up to 30 cm deep. This feature allows the plant to withstand frosts down to 29 degrees without any shelter.
The flowering period lasts from late July to mid-September, but depending on the region of the country, it may shift slightly.
Site selection and application
Phlox "strawberry soufflé" prefers to grow on loamy soils with low acidity. The site for planting the plant should be well lit, but light partial shade is allowed. It is not recommended to plant a plant on heavy clay soils, as this negatively affects the development of the bush and flowering.
The landing site must be protected from strong gusts of wind. You can not plant phloxes near shrubs and trees with a shallow root system (lilac, spruce, thuja), as stronger plants will take all the nutrients from the soil.
When planting several plants in a row, the distance between them should be 30 cm. According to the description, phlox "strawberry soufflé" is ideal for creating group plantings in a flower bed. In this case, it is necessary to select other varieties or plants of the same height and with an identical period.flowering. Also, single plantings of panicled phlox look spectacular against the backdrop of a bright green lawn.
Secrets of agricultural technology
The main condition for the successful cultivation of panicled phlox "strawberry soufflé" is timely watering and fertilization. This herbaceous plant does not tolerate drying out of the roots, therefore, throughout the season, it is recommended to monitor soil moisture and, in the absence of seasonal precipitation for a long time, irrigate. At the same time, watering should not be plentiful, but it is better to apply water in small volumes, but more often.
Lack of moisture leads to a loss of decorativeness of the bush. The lower leaves turn brown, and the inflorescences become more loose and scarce.
This task can be facilitated by mulching the topsoil with peat. This will help protect the root component from overheating and reduce the evaporation of moisture in a particularly hot period of the year. Water for irrigation must be taken settled, while its temperature should be 18-20 degrees.
It is also important to feed in a timely manner. During the active growing season, it is recommended to use humus, which will increase the green mass. During the formation of buds, it is recommended to use an extract based on wood ash. To prepare it, it is necessary to dissolve 100 g of the substance in 1 liter of hot water, insist the agent for 24 hours, and then bring the total volume of liquid to 10 liters. It is necessary to water the resulting product at the rate of 1 liter for each bush. This will allow the plant to form dense panicle inflorescences, as well aswill give brightness and saturation to the shades of colors.
Diseases and pests
Panicle phlox "strawberry soufflé", like other types of culture, is susceptible to powdery mildew and microspore nematode.
In the first case, it is necessary to fight the disease with the help of fungicides such as Topaz, Skor, Fitosporin. Processing should be carried out in advance, without waiting for the appearance of a white coating. Preparations are recommended to be used in accordance with the attached instructions.
When affected by a nematode, which can be recognized by deformed shoots, the bush should be dug up and disposed of. In this case, it will not be possible to save the plant.
Reproduction
As you can see in the photo above, phlox "strawberry soufflé" can be propagated by dividing the bush. The procedure should be carried out in spring or autumn. In this case, the rhizome must be divided into 2-3 parts, which will have a sufficient number of developed lateral roots.
Also, this type of panicled phlox can be propagated by stem cuttings. At the same time, 2 leaf nodes and well-developed leaves should form on each of them. Cuttings should initially be placed in a mini-greenhouse, and after rooting (in July - August), transplanted into the soil at a distance of 15 cm. This type of propagation should be used in late spring - early summer. Until the plant gets stronger, it should be covered for the winter. For shelter, you must use peat, coniferous spruce branches.
Phlox "strawberry soufflé," according to flower growers, is an exquisite plant variety that helps create unusual bright corners in the garden and flower beds.
