I Bought Six Creeping Phlox And Was About To Plant…
Savannah Asked
I bought six creeping phlox and was about to plant them when I had a family emergency and was away for two weeks. They died due to lack of watering, and I was wondering if there’s a chance they could come back or if they are toast? The same question goes for a calla lily, it too died, but that’s a bulbed plant, is there the chance it can make it as well?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Savannah in Pennsylvania: Unfortunately once we allow plants to completely dry out there is little chance that they will recover. Do not feel too bad, you are certainly not the first person to have newly purchased plants dry out on them and when more important issues come up the loss of a few plants is not so bad in the grand scheme of things. Your calla lily may have enough moisture and energy stored up in the bulb to put on new growth but if the roots of the phlox dried up there is little hope for them. Only time will tell at this point but if they were not watered for two weeks I would be surprised if they came back. For now cut back all the dried up foliage and if you want to see if the phlox will come back keep the soil moderately moist, but if you do not see any new growth in the next few weeks the plants should be composted. I wish I had better news for you.
