All the Dirt on Gardening

Cold-hardy, perennial, Garden or Summer Phlox plants are loaded with summertime flowers that feed butterflies and have sturdy stems that can be cut for arrangements. The first discovery of Phlox was recorded in VA, 1678, by John Banister, an English missionary-naturalist who was studying the flora and fauna of the British Colonies. Then, in 1737, Linnaeus established the Phlox genus, naming them flowers the color of glowing flame. Summer or Garden Phlox, Phlox paniculata, shows off its colors in the heat of summer with large heads of scented flowers covered with butterflies and skippers. The tallest varieties are native from the Appalachians to the Ozarks. Summer Phlox is one of the most widely grown and bred perennials in the world. They are not particular about soil type but need a moist, well-drained place in the sun. If they do not have adequate air circulation they are susceptible to powdery mildew. Three mildew-prevention tips: Snip out all but 4 - 6 stems in ma...