Depending on which varieties you pick, you can enjoy a stunning explosion of color from your Phlox at different times throughout the season. In fact, if you mix and match your plants right, you can have blooms brightening up your garden all summer long! You can even encourage a second flush of flowers if you know a few tricks.
When Does Phlox Bloom?
The blooming window for Phlox is just as diverse as its color palette. To keep the show going from spring through late summer, try planting a mix of these varieties:
- April to May: Woodland Phlox
- May to June: Creeping Phlox and Moss Phlox
- June to July: Early-season Phlox (Phlox glaberrima)
- July to August: Meadow Phlox (Phlox maculata)
Some late-blooming fall varieties will even keep going through September, though they’ll need some cooperation from the weather to stay looking their best.
Can You Extend the Blooming Season?
You bet! You can actually “trick” your plants into blooming longer using a technique called the “Chelsea Chop.” Simply prune back about a third of the flower stems by roughly one-third of their height before they start blooming. These cut stems will take a little longer to regrow, meaning they’ll flower later than the rest of the plant. Just make sure you don’t cut back every single stem, or you’ll miss out on that staggered blooming effect.
For early-blooming varieties, you can also encourage a second act. Just deadhead the spent flowers right as they start to fade. With a little luck and some sunshine, you might get a bonus round of blooms in the fall.
What Kind of Care Keeps Phlox Blooming?
Phlox are thirsty plants, so make sure to give them extra water during dry spells. If you’re growing annual Phlox, they’ll appreciate a bit of liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing and blooming season. Perennial varieties are a bit lower maintenance—they’re usually happy with a good serving of well-rotted compost in the spring to fuel them for the whole year.
Can You Cut Phlox for Vases?
Absolutely! Phlox makes a fantastic cut flower, and the plant won’t mind if you steal a few stems for the house. In a vase, they can stay fresh for up to 12 days. For the best results, wait until the first few flowers on a stem have opened before cutting. I recommend heading out in the morning once the dew has dried to snip your bouquet—that’s when the stems are most hydrated!
