Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Sunday - July 26, 2015
From: Gaines, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Why Don't Phlox Bloom?
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
My summer phlox only bush up but never bloom. They are in full sun.ANSWER:
Your summer phlox (I assume they are Phlox paniculata) are usually quite reliable bloomers - especially in the Northeast. They have clusters of pink, white or lavender blooms on 3-4 feet high stems in July and August.
Some possible reasons they don't bloom include:
- Not enough sun. They need at least 6 hours of full sun.
- Powdery mildew weakening the plant.
- Pruning off the flower buds. Pruning the plant in early to mid-summer could delay flowering.
- Too much nitrogen fertilizer which could cause excessive vegetative growth.
- Not vigorous enough. Overgrown plants should be divided periodically
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Problem with Eupatorium greggii
April 27, 2008 - At the Garden's fall plant sale in 2006, I bought some Eupatorium greggii. It did very well last year. Recently, the entire plant looks like it is just wilting from the top down, as if it has some so...
view the full question and answer
Blackfoot daisy turning brown in Round Rock, TX
September 30, 2009 - A few days ago, our blackfoot daisy was doing wonderfully. Then we got heavy rains and suddenly the plant is sere and brown. Did the too wet weather do this, and will it come back next year?
view the full question and answer
Native plants for city lot in Longview, TX
March 19, 2008 - Just bought a city lot in Longview, TX and want to put in some plants at the periphery even before the house is built. Can you recommend any that would be from your list of East TX plants that are pa...
view the full question and answer
Argemone pleiacantha for Houston
June 25, 2007 - Hey, Mr. Smarty Plants! Please allow me to offer a spell check on a plant that I inquired about last night. It's Argemone pleiacantha. I live in Houston, TX, and have been told that it will bloom ...
view the full question and answer
Flowers for sandy soil and sun in Wharton Co., TX
March 23, 2010 - I live in Wharton County. I am looking for flowers to plant in beds that have sandy soil and are well drained. The area receives sun all day until 5-6 in the afternoon. I would like to have flowers t...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |