Phlox+Paniculata

= Phlox Paniculata =





Cultural History:

This plant's origin is native to the United States. It was the Europeans who first recognized the plant and they experimented with breeding it. It was reimported to the U.S. And the hybridists made tremendous contributions and contributed many variations to the plant- about 800 different other types of this plant. It is one of the prominent plants in gardens from the turn of the century up until sometime in the 1940's. In the 1940's there were about 220 varieties of this plants and names, but many of them are now missing. Over the years, it was regarded as old fashioned and not as popular anymore. Also, many old cultivars were gone. Recently, there has been a higher interest in the plant and new cultivators are becoming more and more apparent.

Cultural Significance:

The plant grows on different types of garden soil (including the heavy clay soil). The types of soils affect how much watering the plant needs. For example, if you are using sandy soils, you will need much more watering to keep the flower blooming. The best type of soil for it would be the alkaline soil, which is rich and slightly sweet. This type of soil is able to hold water well. The plants are also heavy feeders, and it is important to reset the plants on regular basis- so about every four to five years. They need full sun, and a little shading if necessary. At least in the southern states or if this plant is exposed to high climates, it should have some shading.

Importation or cultivation of the plant in the US

The plant is cultivated, and its habitat is that it is rich woods, has thickets, gravel bars, and it consists of base of bluffs. This plant is a popular fall-blooming plant and it has many horticultural varieties. The colors of it can vary from white to deep purple. The white flowers are rare but they do grow in Missouri and other places across the States. It is a kind of plant that flowers for a long period of time and it is definitely a heavy bloomer. The plant grows about 12 inches a year and it can occupy a garden area of about 18 to 24 inches wide. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, and it grows best in fertile, moist soil.

Description of what we can learn about culture (in the U.S. or in the place of origin of plant)

There were a variety of new plants that were introduced from Europe to Americas and from the Americans to Europe. Students could concentrate on naming them and then focusing on this type of plant. They could read an articles that are related to the European plants that were imported to the United States and name all of the fruits, vegetables, and grains that were very common during that period of time. They could go on a field trip to this garden and examine all the different types of plants and compare this plant with all the other ones by looking at the similarities and differences. Then they can relate themselves and figure out what do living things need to survive and realize the importance of plants through a lesson.

Sources: http://www.missouriplants.com/Pinkopp/Phlox_paniculata_page.html http://www.gardening-tips-perennials.com/growing-phlox.html http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/phlox-paniculata-garden-phlox.aspx