How to Prune Phlox Before Blooming
- 1). Keep the overall shape and size of the phlox with light pruning. Prune in the spring before the start of the first set of blooms.
- 2). Remove or "pinch" back the growing tips and leaves of the phlox using pruning shears. Trim them back just above a node, where the stems emerge from. Pinching back will improve the growth of the plant and will help stagger the blooms of the phlox.
- 3). Prune all broken or diseased stems by cutting off the entire branch. Remove any insect-infested stems to prevent infection of the phlox. Cut all brown parts of the phlox to help stimulate growth on young green stems and foliage.
- 4). Remove the lateral or side buds to help produce a larger flower and longer stems. Cut back all branches that are warped and twisted. Remove any sucker shoots or stems shooting out of the roots of the phlox.
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