What Happens When You Top Tall Phlox.

I thought I would try topping some of our Tall Phlox this year to see how it would do. I was impressed with the results, and I think I will plan to do it from now on. If you've never tried it, take a look and see what you think.
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[@ademeyer]

I watched your video last Spring, and topped my Phlox David. I had a spectacular crop in mid summer and the show lasted so much longer than usual. Thanks for showing us your experiment!

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks for letting me know that. I'm really glad that it worked out well for you too!

[@HadesTut0rials]

@@MidwestGardener Hi, Hi, So should I top mine in late May to get this result or top them earlier in the year? Great video!

[@MidwestGardener]

@@HadesTut0rials Rather than a time frame, I would probably go by height. I'm guessing that mine were probably between 3 and 3.5 feet tall. Definitely try to do it before they start producing flower buds.

[@suefernandes8582]

Your an all rounder Jim, when it comes to growing and taking care of the garden, your flowers amaze me just as much as your veggies do !!

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Sue!! That's very kind of you to say.

[@lindaplumley4060]

Watching this video in June 2020. Just bought these plants, 3 for $10 at Lowe's on sale. Got them in the ground and am already in love with them and can't wait to top them next year as you've done. Thank you for this information - I found it informative and inspirational.

[@MidwestGardener]

3 for 10 bucks sounds like a good buy to me, Linda. Thanks for the kind words! Very much appreciated.

[@1533ramsay]

I just purchased 7 of these in the discount section at lowes. Wasn't sure what I purchased. WOW, I hope mine are this beautiful!!!👍👍👍🇺🇸

[@MidwestGardener]

I'm sure yours will do great. You can beat a great find in the discount section!

[@gaylestegall7239]

They are so easy to grow. Hope have had luck with yours.

[@persephonespomegranate]

Thanks for this! I’m pretty new to gardening and just bought a ton of phlox for a nice large drift of it. Still learning how to maintain it and this was helpful. Cheers. 🌱

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! I hope your phlox give you many years of enjoyment!

[@AnOldSchoolHome]

This is such a beautiful plant! And it seems like the trimmed ones did just fine , as well 😊 great way to keep them coming 😊

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Sasha! This is one of those plants that I can't mess up no matter what I do.

[@solangeboudreau6467]

What a difference. Thanks for posting. Can’t wait to try that this summer🌸

[@MidwestGardener]

Good luck with it....it wont' be long.

[@zetty12428]

Never grew phlox before but I always thought they are so beautiful. So last year I asked my friend if I can cut some of her phlox for propagation. They grew short but surprisingly flowered by the end of the season. I looked today a lot of them has started to emerge. I’m so excited. I’m looking forward to use the topping technique. Thanks!

[@MidwestGardener]

I'm guessing that they will do even better for you this year. That awesome that you have a gardening friend to share with! You might be able to enjoy them for decades. Ours were here when we moved in about 25 years ago or so. You're very welcome!

[@philisbramlett6890]

I read, I learned that with Tall Phlox wait until after the first beautiful blooms , topped them off and , WOW ❗ Each bloom has been bigger and brighter each time . It's now mid Sept. 2021 . I think they have blessed my home all these months for a reason . I read t, I learned from others with Tall Phlox , and their expertise worked for me . Most of all this Garden had to have been Blessed ...🦋

[@MidwestGardener]

I'm glad that yours did so well, Phillis!

[@Mrsnufleupagus]

Doncha love it when a plan comes together!! Proof is in the pudding...that worked well! Have a great weekend Jim:)

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Ryan! You have a great weekend too!

[@ltlbnsgarden]

I think it worked out perfect! They are full and very pretty! Great job friend! 😊

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks! They turned out a little better than I thought they would, so this is what I'll be doing every year now.

[@1533ramsay]

Love this comparison. What a testament for pruning...Thx

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Mark! They turned out great again this year. Maybe even a little better.

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

Wow those came out really great! Sure is some pretty flowers. Made a huge differance! Great job done buddy! Hope you have a great weekend! :-)

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks! Those have been some good flowers for us. They were here when we moved in over 20 years ago.

[@kevinbradleygardeningandou9767]

Definitely worth a try next year, I like the multi stem blooms, thanks for the information. :-)

[@MidwestGardener]

Yep, it's worth a shot.

[@BobMelsimpleliving.]

Either way the Phlox look great. It seems topping works great. Best wishes Bob.

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks! Wish it was time to grow it again.

[@bluepine33]

I agree with Wendy Curtis below - keep the camera at a distance and make your point.

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks.

[@50shadesofgreen]

wow jim topping them was a really good choice they look very impressive

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks! I think I will do it every year now.

[@p.c.6706]

At first I thought I like the ones that weren't topped cause it looked so much fuller. Come to find out you had topped that one so yeah that definitely makes a huge difference. It looks so much fluffier :-)👍

[@MidwestGardener]

I'm a believer now. I think everyone should give it a shot, just to see.

[@RayCoyle1]

The deer topped my for me! I hope they bloom.

[@MidwestGardener]

Well, I sure hate to hear that. That wouldn't be so bad if they just did it once, but they might be back.

[@philisbramlett6890]

🏡. I alwsys top off after each bloom and they keep flushing back fuller and more besutiful, brighter blooms all summer through early fall fall till the chill takes them .My home has vades with the blooms in them for approx. 10 days because I add some strawberry soda ( fanta) to the water ! Their BEAUTIFUL PURPLE AND PINK !

[@MidwestGardener]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing!

[@halinka2659]

Thank You Im going to toop my Phlox and hopely they gonna look like Yours so beautiful God Bless

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! Hope yours are more beautiful than ever this year!

[@maggieburnham3647]

My phlox is yellowing and drying out, however the soil under it is damp. Is it too wet or too dry? The leaves are wilting. These have just been planted a few weeks ago and some are blooming well I’m the same bed. It’s in a front bed that collects water and stays pretty moist.

[@MidwestGardener]

That's a tough one to call from here, Maggie. If they were only planted a few weeks ago, my first suspicion would be that their roots haven't had time to spread out, and they might be reacting to hot weather. I know that we are very hot where I'm at. But it's mostly just a guess on my part.

[@wendyc9906]

Please bring your camera back and don't move it so much. I can't see the comparison of the two different results side by side. You're showing close up of the blooms which isn't unhelpful. I know what phlox looks like, I want to see the comparison. Showing them together in the same screen would be helpful. thanks.

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks for the suggestions Wendy. I will keep that in mind next time I do a similar video.

[@200907Emerge]

Amazing! When should they be topped? It’s June 1st today. Is it too early?

[@MidwestGardener]

Well, I don't think there is a particular date. I would just go by how mine looked in this video.

[@jolyndaj]

Just beautiful 😄

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks!

[@lisaf7688]

Nice video, thanks!!

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@alexbhatt9175]

Jim, do you top the plants before the first bloom ? Or after they are done ?

[@MidwestGardener]

I have done both. I usually just wait till after the bloom the first time.

[@NannaCarlstedt2]

Thank´s!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome!

[@pudgesmum1509]

Do they spread or stay tall? I would like to buy some and hoping they reseed and spread.

[@MidwestGardener]

They stay tall, but they do grow a few new shoots from the bottom occasionally,

[@irishkazolotse]

This looks like a Chelsey chop to me ;0) many other tall flopping plants could benefit from the 1/3 topping around end of May... And you can grow new plants from the top material that was pinched! Is this David variety? Thank you!

[@MidwestGardener]

I can't tell you for sure what variety it is, because it was already here when we moved here. I've never thought of trying to root the toppings.

[@michelletotman6277]

Brilliant

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Michelle!

[@AnoushBotanical]

Extended bloom is always a bonus... Are your phlox fragrant?

[@MidwestGardener]

I've never noticed a fragrance, and I'm not sure why, but I've never tried to smell them.

[@AnoushBotanical]

California Phlox is color and scent filled... Your white is stunning either way!

[@MidwestGardener]

That's good to know. Thanks!

[@sacdigitaldesignweb]

What kind of phlox is it? Garden David? And how long do they stay bloomed?

[@MidwestGardener]

It was here when we moved here about 30 years ago, so I don't know the name. I've never really timed how long they stay in bloom, but I would guess about a month and a half or two.

[@sacdigitaldesignweb]

@@MidwestGardener they are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

[@MidwestGardener]

@@sacdigitaldesignweb You're welcome!

[@tdmmoore1820]

How can you propagate these tall phlox ?

[@MidwestGardener]

They slowly spread out, so I usually dig straight down on the outside of the clump and separate out a couple to move elsewhere.

[@scottwesley5382]

Should i cut out all stems remaining so new ones can grow in

[@MidwestGardener]

If you are talking about the dead stems before new ones grow from the ground, the answer is yes.

[@scottwesley5382]

@@MidwestGardener yes should i just cut them as kow as i can

[@scottwesley5382]

Whats the best way to help them spread,

[@MidwestGardener]

@@scottwesley5382 I usually leave a couple of inches, so I know where to look for new growth.

[@scottwesley5382]

@@MidwestGardener thank you for the help

[@brunoport]

Hi, which month did you top your phlox?

[@MidwestGardener]

Sorry, it's been too long, and I just don't remember.

[@shadowninja06-theshadowcla83]

Hi grandpa

[@MidwestGardener]

Hi!

[@shadowninja06-theshadowcla83]

Midwest Gardener :)

[@jl9573]

Show me how tall :(

[@MidwestGardener]

I think mine is usually about 4 feet tall.

[@lnystrom9044]

I got dizzy watching

[@MidwestGardener]

Sorry.

[@missgoldie6257]

VERY difficult to see what you're talking about.

[@MidwestGardener]

Sorry about that. If you are viewing on a phone, sometimes a tablet or laptop helps.

[@missgoldie6257]

@@MidwestGardener I'm watching on a laptop. The production of your video is horrible. Good gawd, telling me what to view it on. NEVER again, that's for damned sure.

[@MidwestGardener]

@@missgoldie6257 I was just trying to help. Sorry to disappoint.

[@_Hannah_..]

~Sooooo SUPER INCREDIBLE 🤍❕🕊🤍🕊🤍🕊🦢🤍🦢🤍💠🦎🤍💠🤍💠🤍❕🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🌿🌿🌱

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks!