Question
I recently purchased a pink phlox plant planted in our front yard which gets all the morning sun and plenty of pm sun.  Its planted just under the overhang of the front of our home so it doesn't get that much rain, so I water about every 3 days.  Of  the four stalks, three are brown with dead leaves and no more flowers.  This is the first year for the plant and I am not sure how to treat.  I see no mildew or spider mites either.  My other 2 phlox are doing much better.  Should I spray and treat with something or cut down to the ground and leave the one healthy stalk??

Answer
Hello Becky

It is possible that you are killing this poor plant with kindness!  It really doesn't need to be watered every 3 days!  I bet you don't water you established phlox that often - if at all?

Certainly cut down the dead stems and leave the healthy one - only water when the leaves look a bit droopy!  In fact, putting a mulch of leaf mould or well rotted garden compost around the plant will  help to retain moisture and you probably wont need to water very much at all.

I do hope your plant recovers and gives you a good show next summer.

Gill