How to Care for a Mt. Fujiyama Phlox
Mt. Fujiyama (or Mt. Fuji) phlox is a variety of Phlox paniculata. This flower, which is commonly called garden phlox, is a cool-climate perennial. The plant features tall, showy flower stalks that can grow to 4 feet. The flowers on Mt. Fuji are creamy white, fragrant and grow on panicles that can reach 15 inches in length. Garden phlox thrives in cool conditions and grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Garden rake or tiller
- Organic compost
- Watering tool
- Mulch
- Pruning shears
Instructions
-
-
1
Plant your phlox in the spring. Spread a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic compost on the planting site, and then mix it into the soil to a depth of about 12 inches. These plants like rich, well-draining soil.
-
2
Space individual plants about 2 feet apart. Mt. Fuji is a larger variety of garden phlox and needs more room than other varieties. These perennials are clumping plants. A plant that is just three years old can already be 2 feet wide at the base. They also do best if air is allowed to circulate around them.
-
-
3
Dig a hole as tall as the root ball, but twice as wide. Remove the young phlox from the container and loosen the roots; then set it in the hole so that the top of the root ball is at the same height as the top of the hole. Back fill the hole with the removed soil and water thoroughly.
-
4
Water enough so that the soil is continually moist, but never soggy. Garden phlox do not tolerate drought conditions, but they can also suffer from mold and mildew if the soil is kept too moist. Water at the ground level to prevent the leaves from developing fungal diseases.
-
5
Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the plants. This will help keep the soil cool and moist. Remove flowers when they die, but before they go to seed. Plants grown from seed are not true to form. This is because Mt. Fujiyama is a hybrid, as are most garden phlox varieties.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Choose a location for your phlox that is exposed to full sunlight. These flowers bloom and grow best if they are planted where they will receive a full day's worth of sun. Garden phlox attract birds and butterflies, and they make terrific cut flowers due to their strong stems and long-lasting flowers.
