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can you deadhead creeping phlox?

14 years ago

Being a beginner gardener, I purchased a couple various perennials at Home Depot about 2 weeks ago and I can't plant until the last frost date, which I have been told is after Memorial Day in my area of Zone 5 (Scranton, PA). I've been doing my best to keep the plants going. My question is on the drummonds pink creeping phlox...the flowers are wilting, will deadheading help? Thanks, -marielle042

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Comments (2)

lynlpn
14 years ago
Good Morning,

I am new to the forum so bear with me. I have phlox covering a slope behind my house. If you are deadheading them because they are losing their blooms in the container, that will not make them rebloom. Just keep them watered, but don't over water them until you plant them. Phlox sometimes will bloom again later in the season. The ones on my bank have done this, but never as spectacular as in the spring. I was having a problem with them dying out in the middle after they spread on the slope. I read where deadheading helps with that problem. So last year after the blooms had faded I took a hedge trimmer and cut off about an inch. Since I have so many on the slope that was the quickest and easiest way to accomplish it. It did work to help them fill out, and not die in the middle.
plumnellyga
13 years ago
Yes! Just trim the top quickly w/ weedeater! Trims it nicely, then it greens up again & fills out! Happy trimming!
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