Question
Hello,
I'm writing regarding an issue I have with my garden phlox.  I believe it's the peniculata, the kind with the yellow around the edges, and light pink blossoms in the summer.  I planted several of these around my deck two years ago.  This spring, when the phlox was starting to grow in, my husband cleaned the deck using bleach based product and some of it spilled onto my phlox.  Two of them kind of curled up and died.  The rest are fine.  I'm having a hard time finding these at local nurseries and home depot, to replace them.  Do you know if they'll come back next year?  Or, can I take some stalks from another plant and re-plant them?  Thanks!

Answer
Phlox paniculata is a lovely plant, but growers charge too much for them because they are usually high maintenance.  We notice them for sale occasionally in this area, but most people are not that sophisticated when it comes to perennial plants.  And Phlox of any species are not on their list.

They are easy to obtain by mail order, and much cheaper.  I have ordered many from Bluestone Perennials:

www.bluestoneperennials.com

These are probably not vigorous enough to warrant dividing at the end of the season.  Possibly cuttings would root and expand your flock of Phlox.

But I would order more from Bluestone as well.  You can also grow them by Seed.  Let me know if you want a supplier for those.  Thanks for writing.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER