Happy Memorial Day! The summer blooming perennials are finding their way to the farm markets & flower centers now. I could see today when I was there, that it was bustling. Nothing like some warm weather with timely showers to get people-a-planting! Here is my next favorite:
My third favorite summer perennial is Summer Phlox, P.paniculata. This 3’-4’ tall popular summer standard is a best pick for many reasons. Requiring only minimal staking, this phlox is a long-lived perennial and also a robust seeder so you will have many a volunteer, but in a controllable way. The extended bloom time of late June through October (sometimes November) makes it a must for any carefree cottage garden. I have a couple mildew resistant varieties, ‘Bright Eyes’ which is pink with dark magenta centers & ‘David’ which is white. Other colors include light purple & magenta. You can control mildew on any variety with a little early prevention. Simply thin your plants some by taking down a few stalks for better air circulation. You can also control height by taking them down a few inches now before flower heads start to form. These plants will need to be watered in any severe draught situation. (preferably in the morning so leaves can dry properly) Otherwise, they are fragrant, beautiful and a soft looking addition to your perennial back border or center to a circular garden.
If you need any height to your garden plan, Phlox paniculata is a must!
No comments:
Post a Comment