garden phlox

Garden phlox should be watered frequently, but not too much. During the growing season, ideally water plants or areas of soil that the plants are growing in on a weekly basis, making sure to check the soil for moisture prior to watering to avoid over- or under-watering. Water generously, providing enough to wet the entire root zone, and then allow the top 2-3 inches of the soil to dry before watering again. It is especially important to avoid over-watering in the fall, as garden phlox does not appreciate wet soil during winter dormancy, which may lead to roots rotting. In general, the plants should not require any supplemental watering during the winter period since they are dormant.

Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Miss Kelly') grows best when it is planted in a full sun location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Light shade can be tolerated but too much shade can cause the plants to become leggy and have a reduced number of blooms. As with most plants, during periods of extreme heat and drought, some afternoon shade may be beneficial to prevent damage from too much sun and dehydration.

Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Miss Kelly') can be pruned in late winter or early spring, just before active growth begins. During this time, remove any dead, damaged or overcrowded stems and trim back any branches that may have grown too long. This will help ensure that the plant will look its best for the blooming period. It may also require a light shaping of the plant to remove any overly bushy foliage. A more aggressive pruning may be needed if the shrub has become leggy or woody.