How to Grow Popstars Annual Phlox

If you’ve never grown annual phlox before, no problem. They’re very easy to start from seed, either indoors a few weeks before your frost-free date or out in the garden once the weather stays consistently warm. Just make sure to place them in a sunny spot because these beauties bloom best in full sun, though they’ll do just fine in part shade, too. Annual phlox also prefers well-drained soil and plenty of moisture. Growing about 10 inches tall and wide, ‘Popstars’ phlox works best toward the front of garden beds or around the edges of a container. For maximum impact, try these plants along your entryway for a cheerful welcome or as filler in your patio pots. You can group several phlox plants together to create a heap of colors and textures or pair them with other annuals and perennials. You can just leave the flowers in your landscape or cut them for a bouquet. ‘Popstars’ phlox is self-cleaning, meaning you don’t need to deadhead the faded blooms. But if the flowers seem to be slowing down, give your plants a light shearing back to encourage more buds to develop. However, annual phlox often reseeds itself if you leave the flowers on the plants, so it may come back for you the next year without needing to be replanted. Fertilize with an all-purpose plant food once a month to keep your plants going strong until frost.