FLAME® TRIO GARDEN PHLOX

FLAME® TRIO GARDEN PHLOX Homeowner Growing & Maintenance Tips

## Care Guide

• Recommended Soil:
• Grow in fertile, well-drained garden soil that retains moderate moisture without becoming waterlogged.
• Loamy or sandy soil with good drainage works particularly well for Dwarf Garden Phlox.
• Incorporate organic matter into poor soil to improve structure, moisture retention, and root development.
• Avoid persistently soggy locations, especially where drainage is naturally slow.
• Sun Exposure:
• Full sun encourages the strongest flowering, sturdy stems, and best overall color.
• Morning sun with afternoon shade is useful in hotter portions of the growing range.
• Allow adequate spacing between plants to promote air movement through the foliage.
• Bright light helps the red, white, and blue flowers make their strongest visual impact.
• Irrigation Needs:
• Water consistently during the first growing season while the root systems become established.
• Provide a deep watering when the soil begins to dry rather than frequent shallow irrigation.
• Established plants can tolerate some drier conditions but perform best with reasonable, consistent moisture.
• Water at the soil level when possible and avoid routinely wetting the foliage.
• Feeding & Nutrients:
• Moderately fertile soil generally provides a good foundation for vigorous growth and flowering.
• Apply a balanced perennial fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can produce lush foliage while reducing flowering performance.
• A layer of organic mulch can help moderate soil moisture and temperature.
• Pruning & Maintenance:
• Remove faded flower clusters to keep the planting tidy and encourage additional flowering.
• Cutting back spent stems after the primary bloom period can help maintain a neat appearance.
• Remove old foliage at the end of the season after it has naturally declined.
• Good spacing, air circulation, and avoiding unnecessary overhead irrigation can help keep foliage looking its best.

Family: Polemoniaceae · Common Name: Phlox

FREE with every plant purchased:

• The Sooner Guarantee: For details, click here!
• A pre-applied, pre-measured amount of time release fertilizer that keeps your plant well nourished for up to one year.
• Pre-hydrated Hydro-Gels are included in the top of each container to use when planting as they help retain soil moisture, and plants will establish more quickly with less transplant shock. Plants will also survive drought-like conditions and accidental missed waterings better.
• Planting and Care Instruction brochure.
• Catalogs of new and exciting plant brands, such as Garden Debut® and Proven Winners®.

We use and recommend www.dripdepot.com for our irrigation needs, from simple to install micro and drip systems, to commercial grade irrigation parts and supplies.

Interesting Notes About FLAME® TRIO GARDEN PHLOX

• Three Phlox, One Color Story: 'Flame Trio' isn't simply three unrelated colors tossed together. The combination brings together Flame Red, Flame Pro White, and Flame Light Blue so the individual flower colors can overlap visually and create a cohesive red-white-and-blue garden display.
• The Blue One Has a Little Twist: Flame Light Blue isn't a plain blue flower. Its dark blue buds open into distinctive blue-and-white pinwheel-style blooms, giving the trio a patterned element alongside the solid red and white flowers.
• Small Plants, Big Phlox Energy: Traditional garden phlox can become substantial border plants, but the Flame group was selected for a much more compact habit. That makes Dwarf Garden Phlox particularly useful when you want the flower clusters of garden phlox without dedicating an enormous amount of vertical space to them.
• A Mustard-Free Family Affair: Despite the name, garden phlox isn't related to mustard, cabbage, or other plants in the mustard family. Phlox belongs to the Polemoniaceae family, a completely different botanical group that includes other familiar ornamentals such as Jacob's ladder.
• Phlox Means Flame: The name Phlox comes from an ancient Greek word associated with flame or fire. That's an especially fitting bit of botanical trivia for the Flame series, where brilliant flower colors and a long summer display make the name feel remarkably appropriate.