Can Summer Phlox be grown in containers?
Yes, you can but you will need to divide it and start with a small clump again every 1 or 2 years. They will quickly crowd themselves. Other than this, it is completely possible to grow these in container.
Both of the plants have flowered over winter, one with blue/purple flowers and the other with sort of maroon...Should i prune them back now in early Spring? Thanks
I believe you have Phlox and Peony here in these images.
Yes, it looks like they are leggy and could use a good clean up.
Prune back the Phlox to about 6 inches from the ground. The Peony should actually die back naturally.
These articles will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/phlox/growing-garden-phlox.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/peony/peony-care.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/peony/peony-pruning.htm
MY PHLOX IS BROWN AND LOOKS DEAD. SHOULD i CUT IT OUT OR CUT IT BACK HOPING IT COMES BACK GREEN?
Yes, you should cut back any dead growth. This will help any new growth to come back through. This article will give you more information on the care of these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/phlox/growing-garden-phlox.htm
I have planted many perennials this year. I planted 6 hybrid phlox only about 8 inches tall. The I planted Dianthsis and these are short varieties. ALL were blooming profusely. The I notices the Phlox(in full bloom) foliage shriveling(flowers still perfect) The plant parted at soil level and died. The Dianthsis did the same ..all perfect blooms laying in the dirt and the whole plant fell over with area at ground level and leaves in that area yellow.. Grubs? over water? I pulled Phlox out root ball was very small They had been planted about 4 weeks...I lost 5 but now the next seems to be doing the same.. Thank you Elena
This sounds like overwatering and possible root rot or crown rot from overhead watering.
This article will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/watering/watering-garden.htm
Both of these varieties have blooms on single stems. Do I just snip off the spent bloom right at the top of the stem, leaving the stem? New buds are not presently visible!
Cut off spent flower clusters as soon as the flowers begin to wither with a pair of small shears.
Cut off the entire flower spike once all the buds have bloomed and there are no new buds forming along the stem.
What conditions would be best for this to grow?
It appears to be Garden Phlox! This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/phlox/growing-garden-phlox.htm
I tried to upload photo but kept saying more info needed ??
It isn't, completely, necessary to cut them back all the way. Usually, you will trim, only the dead flowers heads off. That's not to say that you can't cut them completely. Sometimes, after a few years, they will need a good regenerative pruning.
This article will give you a good run-down of their simple care requirements: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/phlox/growing-garden-phlox.htm