Developing Business In The Garden Industry
Phlox adds colour and fragrance in August
A quintessential cottage-garden plant, phlox is a favourite with bees and flower arrangers and is nominated as the HTA’s Plant of the Month for August.
Phlox paniculata is a hardy herbaceous perennial with fragrant pink, white or purple/blue flowers which will flower from midsummer through to late autumn and can be used to attract wildlife such as bees and insects into the garden.
It does best in well-prepared soil that has been enriched with well-rotted compost or manure to improve moisture retention and drainage. Ideally, it prefers full sun although it will still perform well in partial shade.
HTA’s David Gilchrist comments “Phlox is a quite superb hardy herbaceous perennial, with sweetly fragrant panicles of pink, white and purple/blue flowers. It is the ideal herbaceous or mixed border plant and can be used informally in a cottage garden. It is also good for cutting and flower arranging. Phlox ‘Nora Leigh’ has a variegated leave form and is well worth growing in the border.”
Nominated and agreed upon by British growers and retailers, the HTA’s Plant of the Month campaign highlights the plants that are widely available and looking especially good in garden centres each month. Different varieties are recommended together with simple planting and care hints and tips.
Plant of the Month point of sale materials can be purchased through HTA partners Hortipak and Floramedia.
The plants included within Plant of the Month have been nominated and agreed by the HTA Ornamentals Committee and the HTA Retail Management Group to ensure the campaign meets the needs of both growers and retailers.
The aim of the Plant of the Month campaign is to make it easier for gardeners by selecting a plant on a monthly basis that will be looking great, is widely available from UK nurseries and easy to maintain in the garden.
For further information and to see the full calendar for 2012 visit www.the-hta.org.uk/plantofthemonth2012
For high resolution images of Phlox, please contact the HTA Media Office.
Contacts
Gill Ormrod, Angela Bean or Cassie King
HTA Media Office
Tel: 0118 930 3132
Email: media.office@the-hta.org.uk
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More on Phlox:
Phlox likes a well prepared soil that has been enriched with rotted compost or manure and is moisture retentive but does drain. Full sun is best but it can tolerate partial shade and is fully hardy.
All the cultivars have an upright habit so may need support in the shape of a stake or birch twigs. Phlox paniculata will require staking when planted in borders alongside other herbaceous perennials.
Dead heading will prolong the flowering period. In late autumn cut the stems right down to the base and mulch with well rotted manure in early spring.
Other species of Phlox such as Phlox douglasii and Phlox subulata can be grown in alpine troughs and containers. They can also be planted in rockeries and as edging plants. There is also an annual Phlox called P Drummondii of which there are several cultivars.
Slug pellets can be used to protect the emerging shoots in spring.
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is the trade association for the UK garden industry. It is dedicated to helping develop the industry and its member businesses, including most garden centres and other garden retailers, growers, landscapers, manufacturers and service providers.
The HTA was founded in 1899. Its key roles include: provision of advice-based services such as business improvement schemes, briefings and help lines; training, conferences and events for members; market information and research; promotions such as the National Garden Gift Voucher scheme; and working closely with government and the media to influence policy and projects.
Last updated: 26/07/2012 10:12