Phlox intensia

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Lorna, Aug 29, 2010.

  1. Lorna

    Lorna Gardener

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    I bought five phloxes when at the Shrewsbury flower show. They're destined for a new bed not yet started, so the other day I just repotted them in bigger pots until I can plant them in the spring. Four of them are phlox paniculata, as expected; the fifth, which looks identical in shape, leaf and habit, is labelled Phlox intensia ('Neon Flare'). A quick look on the internet seems to be telling me that this phlox is an annual. It doesn't actually say on the label whether or not it is a perennial or an annual, though the planting instructions are so thorough it leads me to think they are describing a perennial. Can anyone throw any light on this for me, please?:cnfs:
     
  2. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    :scratch: Hmm, not familiar with Intensia as I have Paniculata & they are the perennial ones, nice big clumps now too, but on reading up on the Intensia it does seam to be an annual.. I found this on a Phlox site...

    You could maybe try overwintering it in a bright frost free place & it may shoot up next spring but somehow doubtful..
     
  3. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    I`ve checked my RHS plant and flower book and there is no mention of P. intensia, but having seen Marleys` post I can see that " intensia " is a registered mark and NOT part of the latin id. The annual Phlox is actually P.drummondii:gnthb:
     
  4. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    :scratch: I could find very little about it Dai, but that was interesting to read I thought.. Everywhere though seems to describe it as an annual plant..
     
  5. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    To be honest, I would treat it as a half hardy perennial and see what happens.:gnthb:
     
  6. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    Well I thought it was worth a try to overwinter it, just putting it in a bright frost free place will be enough do you think Dai..??
     
  7. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    I don`t see why not Ange.:gnthb:
     
  8. Lorna

    Lorna Gardener

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    Thanks, Marley and Dai. That was the article I read on the internet, Marley, but the description doesn't fit what I've got. I'm just going to treat it the same as the others (paniculata) and see what happens. Thought I was familiar with all the phloxes but apparently not!!
     
  9. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    Lorna, try taking some cuttings to be on the safe side.:wink::gnthb:
     
  10. Rob Jones

    Rob Jones Gardener

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    Maybe it is a mistake Lorna? Nemesia 'Amelie' is wrongly listed as an Annual on Shootgardening - lovely plant.
     
  11. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    What has that to do with Phlox Intensia?
     
  12. Lorna

    Lorna Gardener

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    Cuttings are a good idea, if I can find a non-flowering stem to cut!

    And I think Rob's nemesia quote was just an example of how the internet sometimes gets things wrong - if nemesia, maybe phlox intensia too.:)
     
  13. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    Aaahhh, silly me.:lollol::gnthb:
     
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