Phlox 'Lavender Beauty'
Phlox drummondii Grandiflora
Annual Phlox is an erect plant boasting a profusion of showy striped flowers in shades of lavender, blue and white.
Blooming in flat clusters from summer to fall. They soft swet fragrant blossoms are favorite of bees, butterflies, hummingbirdes and other pollinators.
Taller than some varieties, the plants grow to a height of around 24- 32in tall, and spread to around 12in wide. They have a branching habit and produce abundant flowers with a sweet candy fragrance
They are uniform, have outstanding weather tolerance and will flower from mid July right through the summer until October and maintain a tidy habit throughout the season. They will strive in full sun in fertile soil, but will appreciate some afternoon shade in hot climates.
They make terrific cut flower choice and will last a week to ten days in the vase. The sheer variety of starry blooms make each stem a standout specimen.
Details:
Life Cycle: Annual
Site: Full sun
Height:24-32"
Germination: 1-21 days
Days to maturity: 60-65 days
Seed depth: 1/4"
Pinch: when 3" high
Plant spacing: 9-12”
Approx seeds per packet: 100
How to grow:
Sowing: Sow from early spring to early summer, February to May
Seeds can be stated early indoors in late winter to early summer or can be sown directly outdoors where they are to flower. Seeds can be also sown in autumn, they make fine spring flowering pot plants for the cool greenhouse. 65 days sowing to flowering.
Sowing Direct:
Choose a sunny, well-drained site, and amend it with compost or well-rotted manure. Direct sow ¼" deep in spring, as soon as the ground can be worked. Pinch seedlings when they are 3" tall to promote branching, and thin to 8in apart. Maintain soil moisture all season, and fertilize monthly with a water-soluble fertilizer, following label directions.
Sowing Indoors:
Sow in spring about 5 to 7 weeks before the last frost date (around May). Sow into pots or trays containing John Innes or similar free draining seed compost. Make sure that the compost is moist but not wet and cover or seal in a polythene bag, exclude light until after germination which usually takes 10 to 21 days at 55- 60°F.
Transplant when large enough to handle into 8cm (3in) pots to grow on.
Pinch out the growing points when 3" high to ensure a bushy habit.
Annual phlox seedlings should be hardened off before transplanting to the garden. Put them outdoors in a sheltered spot for a few hours each day, gradually increasing their time outdoors over the course of a week. Plant out 20cm (8in) apart into rich well drained soil and full sun.
How to harvest:
Cut flower stems can be harvested, when first flowers per stem are just open. Remove the bottom leaves
Vase Life:
With a proper care and handling will last for 10 -14 days