Creeping Phlox & Propagation
The genus Phlox includes many species of low-growing plants 2 to 8 inches high. Annual creeping types are summer flowering and are cultivars of P. drummondii. Perennial creeping types bloom in spring and include P. subulata, P. nana, P nivalis, P. procumbens and P. douglasii. Perennial phlox is easily propagated by the methods including seed and division, among other methods. Since annual phlox lives for only one year, there is not much point in propagating it by any method except seed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Seed
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The best way to propagate annual phlox is by seed. Either direct sow the seeds, 9 to 12 inches apart, in the spot you want them to grow in the garden. Or, for an earlier start sow annual phlox seeds indoors, 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Plant outside after all danger of frost has passed. For best results, sow perennial phlox seeds in flats outdoors in autumn. They will germinate in the spring. Growing perennial phlox from seed is quite difficult.
Division
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The easiest way to propagate creeping perennial phlox is by division. Dig up spring flowering phlox in the fall, and come spring the plants will have put down new roots and be ready to get on with flowering. Cut out any dead or dying areas with a sharp knife or spade, usually in the middle of the plant, tossing these onto the compost. Divide the rest into manageable chunks and replant them back into the garden.
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Layering
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Some trailing types of perennial phlox such as P. nivalis can be propagated successfully by layering. Trailing plants put out long stems that grow along the top of the ground. To make another phlox plant, pin down the middle of the stem using a small rock or paperclip and covering area with soil. The plant grows roots where the stem has been buried. After the new plant has started to grow you can snip the stem connecting it to the parent plant, dig up the new plant and move it to another location.
Root Cuttings
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Take root cuttings when perennial phlox plants are dormant, usually from November to February. Dig up the phlox plant. Using secateurs, cut off the thickest roots dividing them into chunks 3 to 6 inches long. Growing them indoors ensures quicker sprouting. Plant each chunk horizontally into flats covering them with 1/2 inch layer of soil. The cuttings will produce shoots in several places along the root. Harden the cuttings off like seedlings before transplanting them outdoors.
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References
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- Photo Credit phlox image by olihaut from Fotolia.com
