Paparazzi Angelina Phlox is a captivating plant, bringing vibrant color and graceful form to any garden. Known for prolific blooming, this hybrid phlox creates a striking visual impact, making it a popular choice for gardeners seeking beauty and ease of care. It thrives in various settings, transforming landscapes into stunning displays.
Discovering Paparazzi Angelina Phlox
Paparazzi Angelina Phlox (Phlox hybrida ‘PPPHL07301’) is a perennial in the Phlox family, recognized for its low, spreading habit. It reaches a height of 5 to 10 inches and spreads between 12 to 18 inches, forming a dense mat. The plant showcases fragrant, star-shaped flowers in shades of lavender-pink with prominent purple eyes, blooming profusely from mid-spring to early summer. Its narrow leaves emerge with a coppery-bronze tint in spring before maturing to a grayish-green hue. A cross between Phlox subulata and Phlox stolonifera, this hybrid is known for vigorous growth and good mildew resistance.
Planting Your Phlox
Select the right location for successful establishment of Paparazzi Angelina Phlox. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade, with full sun exposure promoting the most abundant blooms. Well-drained soil is important; the plant does not tolerate standing water. It adapts to various soil types and pH levels, but enriching the soil with organic matter before planting enhances vigor.
When planting, ensure adequate spacing for its mature spread, about 15 to 18 inches apart. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide, gently placing the plant with the top of the root ball level with the soil surface. Backfill the hole with soil, firming it around the roots to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
Caring for Established Paparazzi Angelina Phlox
Once established, Paparazzi Angelina Phlox requires consistent, moderate watering. It prefers evenly moist conditions but tolerates drought once its root system is well-developed. Watering deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry is more beneficial than frequent shallow watering. During the active growing season, especially in spring, a light application of balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer supports healthy growth and blooming.
Pruning is beneficial for maintaining the plant’s tidy appearance and encouraging further blooms. After the main flush of flowers in late spring or early summer, deadheading spent blooms can promote a second, smaller bloom period. To keep the plant compact and prevent it from becoming leggy, a light shearing back by about one-third to one-half of its height can be performed after flowering. This rejuvenation pruning maintains a dense, attractive mat.
Addressing Common Challenges
Paparazzi Angelina Phlox is robust but can encounter issues. Powdery mildew, a fungal disease with a white, powdery coating on leaves, can occur, especially with poor air circulation or high humidity. To mitigate this, ensure plants are spaced appropriately for good airflow and consider pruning affected areas. Paparazzi Angelina Phlox has good resistance to powdery mildew.
Root rot is another problem, caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil. Symptoms include yellowing leaves and a general decline in plant vigor. Ensuring excellent drainage and adjusting watering practices to avoid soggy conditions prevents this issue. If signs of decline appear, assessing soil moisture and drainage is a good first step.