Phlox kelseyi 'Lemhi Purple'

[Lampwick]

Phlox kelseyi 'Lemhi Purple' - problems!

It just doesn't do anything, it just sits there! 

The first picture is the original plant, bought from Pottertons nursery about 18 months ago.
I took a number of cuttings soon after acquiring the plant, which all rooted readily enough, and placed them in various locations in the garden, even giving a few away to others.

It isn't mentioned anywhere on this forum, not even by members in the U.S.A.
Potterton and Aberconwy  appear to be the only nurseries which offers it here in the U.K.
Cutting (1) and cutting (2) have hardly made any growth in over a year.

[Maggi Young]

Two American  pages with  the plant - to give us an idea what it can do!!

http://navigate.botanicgardens.org/weboi/oecgi2.exe/INET_ECM_DispPl?NAMENUM=42295&DETAIL=1&startpage=1
- not looking too great, even in the Denver Botanic Garden!!

Lots more flowers  in this nursery pic....
http://www.sunnyborder.com/plants/online-catalog/item/Phlox/plklp.html

Prefers life at home, perhaps, John - though you'd have thought this summer we've had would have pleased it.

[Lampwick]

I thought I would have received a plethora of replies, especially from members over the pond, expounding their success with this plant. 

On the strength of this:- https://www.pottertons.co.uk/pott/view_product.php?pid=3312 I put in an order. 

[arilnut]

Here is mine. I got it from DBG in 2013. Bloomed in '14 and '15, then died. I have volunteers
around but they would be hybrids.

John

[Maggi Young]

It is certainly pretty - worth trying, I'm sure.  well done on at least getting a couple of years from it, John B !

[arilnut]

Hi Maggi. Yes I need to get back to DBG next year and get some more.

John

It is certainly pretty - worth trying, I'm sure.  well done on at least getting a couple of years from it, John B !

[Lampwick]

Thanks for sending the photo John. B.
I grow my plant like yours, with chippings around it and I have a few in a raised bed in an ericaceous peaty compost, but still with no luck. In 2004 I bought Phlox kelseyi ‘Rosette’ from Lingen Nursery here in the U.K. but that also never flowered for me.
By the way – Pottertons Nursery offer both P.k. 'Lemhi Purple' and P.k. ‘Rosette’
It look like I will have to move to Kansas! 

[Paul Cumbleton]

John,
Phlox kelseyi is said to grow in the wild on very alkaline soils, so it is possible your ericaceous compost is not suitable. I have it growing in my alkaline crevice garden where it grows slowly but surely and flowers....though never in abundance!

Paul

[Lampwick]

John,
Phlox kelseyi is said to grow in the wild on very alkaline soils, so it is possible your ericaceous compost is not suitable. I have it growing in my alkaline crevice garden where it grows slowly but surely and flowers....though never in abundance!

Paul

Thanks Paul, I will heed your advice. . .