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JULY 2019 / SOUTHERNLIVING.COM
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YOU MIGHT WONDER how a perennial that offers months of beautiful, fragrant
flowers beloved by butterflies and hummingbirds ever fell from grace in Southern
gardens. That’s what happened to summer phlox (Phlox paniculata). Blame it on a
disfiguring fungus called powdery mildew. It causes infected leaves and stems to
shrivel and turn gray, ruining the colorful show put on by the flowers. Happily,
mildew-resistant new selections have won us back, including ‘David’ (white
flowers, 3 to 4 feet tall), ‘Jeana’ (lavender-pink, 3 to 4 feet, and the best one for
butterflies), ‘Laura’ (rich purple with white centers, 2 to 3 feet, shown above),
‘Katherine’ (lilac-blue with white centers, 2 to 3 feet), ‘Nicky’ (deep magenta, 2 to
3 feet), and ‘Robert Poore’ (violet-pink, 3 to 4 feet). Plant in sun and well-drained
soil in USDA Zones 3 to 8. Pinching the tips from the stems when they’re 4 inches
tall will increase the number of stems and blooms. å
YOUR JULY
CHECKLIST
DON’T STOP PLANTING
Despite the heat, you can
still set out trees, shrubs,
and perennials purchased
in containers. Water each
one thoroughly in its
pot just before planting.
Afterward, keep the soil
moist around the roots for
the rest of summer. Mulch
to cool the soil and reduce
water loss. July is also the
time to set out small plants
of tomatoes, winter squash,
broccoli, and cabbage for
a fall harvest.
SPRAY FOR PESTS
Loathsome copper-and-
green Japanese beetles are
at their peak and will devour
the foliage and flowers of
dozens of ornamental and
edible plants. To kill them,
spray the foliage according
to label directions with
neem oil or Sevin. (Do not
apply to flowers, though,
or you’ll kill the bees and
butterflies too.)
NOURISH YOUR POTS
Apply a water-soluble
fertilizer to containers
every two weeks to replace
nutrients washed out by
frequent summer watering.
Or use a granular slow-
release fertilizer that will
feed for months, such as
Dynamite All-Purpose
18-6-8 plant food.
KEEP AN EYE ON ROSES
When strange reddish
shoots with deformed
flowers begin growing
from your rose, it’s time to
say goodbye. It is infected
with a fatal virus called rose
rosette that’s transmitted by
tiny mites. There is no cure.
Pull up the plant (roots and
all), seal it inside a plastic
bag, and put it out with the
trash. Don’t place a rose in
the same spot again.
PLANT OF THE MONTH
Summer Phlox
Once scorned, this dazzling native will make
a colorful comeback in your garden
BY STEVE BENDER
KEEP ’EM
COMING
Promptly remove
spent flowers
to encourage
rebloom.
