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Phlox Dragon is a herbaceous plant of an unusual variety, bred in 1958. At present, it is the only flower that has such an expressive contrast and a rich range of colors. The bush looks great in front gardens and flower beds, is used as a border. It does not differ in good vigor of growth, it is difficult to multiply.
“Dragon” is the very first variety of smoky phlox
Description of panicled phlox Dragon
“Dragon” is a popular and very effective perennial variety that has earned the attention of many phlox growers. The stems of the plant are erect, with elongated pointed leaves. The dragon bush is strong, slightly sprawling, grows up to 80 cm. It has a high degree of frost resistance. Grows slowly. The roots of the culture are powerful, located in the upper layer of the soil. The part located above the ground dies off every year.
Description of the parameters of the panicled phlox “Dragon”:
- life cycle – perennial;
- height – up to 80 cm;
- flower diameter – up to 5 cm;
- flowering time – medium;
- location – cool sunny places, partial shade;
- climatic zone – 3, 4;
- the soil is loose, moist, rich in nutrients.
Phlox “Dragon” feels comfortable and takes root well in temperate and polar climate zones: in Siberia and its southern regions, in the Far East, Yakutia, and central Our Country.
Features of flowering
“Dragon” is one of the most famous varieties of the smoky phlox group. The term and period of flowering is medium early. By the end of July, large fragrant inflorescences of a conical shape of a purple-violet color begin to emerge on phlox, with strokes of a silvery hue along the outer edge of the petals. Gradually, the strokes merge, form a smoky middle, giving the culture an unusual exotic look. The flower is five-leaved, 4-5 cm in size. Flowering is plentiful and long, up to 45 days. In order for the phlox to grow lush and healthy, it is important to strictly follow the rules of care, most of the day the bush should be in the sun.
Phlox flowers growing in different parts of the site may differ in color
Application in design
Due to unpretentiousness and winter hardiness, Phlox “Dragon” is often planted in city flower beds, alpine hills and parks. Used in the background as a background for low-growing plants, for example, host. Silver “scales” of flowers require a neutral environment. Ideal neighbors for the “Dragon” will be astilbe, somedago, daylily, oriental poppy and garden geranium. The bush looks original with perennial flowers: roses, irises or tulips, as well as with low shrubs. “Dragon” can be combined with any phlox, because of its unique color, it will not be lost against their background.
Next to the aggressors: variegated dreamweed, Indian dusheney, tenacious, the “Dragon” will feel bad.
Methods of reproduction
Phlox “Dragon” breeds in several ways:
- Phlox seeds rarely reproduce, since this method does not always give the desired result. Seeds should be collected in autumn, at the moment when the box becomes dark brown. It is best to plant immediately, as they quickly lose their germination.
- To propagate phlox by cuttings, a strong branch is selected, a cutting is cut off from it and stuck into the ground. After a few weeks, the cut branch should give roots.
- The most effective and convenient way to propagate Phlox “Dragon” is the division of the bush. This procedure can be carried out in spring and autumn. The culture planted by the “delenka” will delight with flowering next year.
Division is the most productive way to propagate phlox
Rules of landing
For landing “Dragon” choose a place with diffused lighting, without the scorching rays of the sun. Also, the variety does not like drafts, the north side, places under the crown of trees. The soil in which the Dragon will be planted must be fertile and well moistened. Experienced gardeners recommend choosing a large area for planting, since phlox can grow in one place for about 8 years.
The plant is recommended to be planted in May or early September. Before this, you should dig a plot to a depth of 30 cm and add humus to the ground. Clay soil requires good drainage, acidic soil requires lime.
Phlox landing algorithm “Dragon”:
- At a distance of 40-70 cm from each other, it is necessary to dig landing holes.
- Pour fertilizer and garden soil into them.
- Pour plenty of water and let it soak in.
- Place the phlox roots 5 cm deep, sprinkle with earth.
- Seal, water again.
In the case of propagation of phlox by seeds, they are sown immediately after harvest. The procedure is performed at the end of September-beginning of October, in loose soil. Seeds are laid out on the surface of the earth at a distance of 5 cm from each other and sprinkled with earth. In May, the emerging shoots are planted in a permanent place.
Aftercare
Phlox paniculata “Dragon” is a plant that is practically not susceptible to disease and does not require special care. The main thing is to plant it in a suitable place and follow some rules. Then you can achieve a longer and more abundant flowering of the bush.
Plant care requires the following actions:
- Watering the plant. Phlox should be watered regularly, but water should not be allowed to stagnate. It is advisable to do the procedure every 3 days, more often in case of drought. Watering to carry out at the root.
- Top dressing. At the stage of planting the Phlox “Dragon”, it is necessary to add humus or compost to the pit. To improve the color of the flowers, you can add wood ash. With the advent of spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied to the soil. With the onset of flowering, phlox needs preparations containing phosphorus and potassium. Fertilizing is best done early in the morning or after sunset. In autumn, phlox need phosphate fertilizers. In preparation for the winter, “Dragon” can be fed with a solution of potassium sulfate (10 g) and superphosphate (20 g) in a bucket of water.
- Mulching. Since the stalk of Phlox “Dragon” grows along the periphery, its middle part begins to age and come out of the soil. So that unprotected roots do not undergo freezing, they must be sprinkled with sawdust, peat or mowed grass, with a layer of 5 cm.
- Loosening. It is advisable to regularly loosen the soil where the Dragon Phlox grows. The procedure is best done the next day after watering. Simultaneously with loosening, it is necessary to remove weeds around the plant.
Preparation for winter
In autumn, around mid-October, phloxes must be cut to a distance of 10 cm from the ground. This will linger on the branches of snow, which will create a natural shelter. As a top dressing before winter, potassium magnesia, superphosphate, mineral fertilizers marked “Autumn” are well suited.
Shelter with spruce branches guarantees the safety of the bushes even during a snowy winter
The variety “Dragon” is winter-hardy, does not need shelter, but if the bushes are still young and fragile, then it is advisable to put spruce branches on top of them.
Pests and diseases
Phlox panicled “Dragon” can sometimes be subject to some diseases and pest attacks.
The plant can become infected:
- septoriosis;
- powdery mildew;
- phomosome
If nematodes attacked a phlox bush, then it must be dug up and burned.
The introduction of phosphorus and potash fertilizers increases the resistance of phloxes to diseases
With the invasion of slugs, it is worth trying to get rid of them with iron phosphate or a mixture of ash and tobacco dust.
Conclusion
Phlox Dragon is a beautiful perennial flower with a pleasant and rich aroma that can decorate any flower bed. Its cultivation requires little preparation and care, but does not take much time. If all the recommendations are followed, the plant will delight the gardener with flowering until autumn.
Phlox Dragon Reviews
