72 



HORTICULTURE 



January 18, 1913 



Spring Flowering Hardy Phloxes 



I am well aware of the climatic 

 advantages of the north in regard 

 to midsummer eJiects of flowering 

 hardv ijereunials. For spring and 

 fall, "however, conditions are more 

 favorable in middle Atlantic and 

 central states. Close observation as 

 time passes shows a keener realiza- 

 tion of the splendid opportunities 

 for the future. The steadily in- 

 creasing demand for spring-flower- 

 ing phloxes is one evidence thereof. 

 Le'ading landscape gardeners, during 

 recent years, have begun using them 

 in many instances quite extensively 

 and illustrations of various planta- 

 tions, no doubt, have been instru- 

 mental in creating a general inter- 

 est. The most convincing demon- 

 stration of the ornamental value of 

 this hardy type of phloxes are sheets 

 of color in snowy white, light and 

 dark pink, various shades of laven- 

 der, carmine and magenta red, pro- 

 duced by the blossoms of Phlox sub- 

 ulata and Phlox amojna, when we see 

 them in reality. American visitors 

 at the International Exliibition in 

 England, last spring, appeared deeply impressed by the 

 artistic beauty of rock-garden work abroad. In the 

 various illustrated descriptions I have read, it did not 

 appear to what extent phloxes were employed. Indica- 

 tions at home show that in the floral spring arrays of 

 present and future rockeries they are to be a prominent 

 feature.' Phlox subulata, the "moss" or "mountain 

 pink," on account of the creeping habit of growth, the 

 dense carpet of blossoms and nearly evergreen, fine foli- 

 age, is indeed an excellent planting material. Thrivmg 

 by nature in high locations they quickly commence to 

 ramble over rocks, fill crevices and establish themselves 

 on steep and arid slopes. Reliable to endure the hot 

 midsummer month without harm, they very rarely suffer 

 if under light cover in winter. This covering is most 

 essential during March, when the soil under the thick 

 mass of creeping growth remaining in a frozen state 

 prevents root action, while the warm sun-rays disastrous- 

 ly urge vegetation. Of the garden varieties of Phlox 

 subulata recommendable, I mention alba and Nelsoni, as 

 the best pure white ; lilacina flowers light lilac ; the blos- 

 soms of Bridesmaid are white, purplish tinted ; those of 

 atropurpurea purplish rose, while subulata rosea is cov- 

 ered in May by a mantle of bright pink hue. 



Very closely related to Phlox suhulata are the slightly 

 hio-her and freer growing varieties of Phlox setacea, svii. 

 P.°frondosa, distinguished by clear, strong shades m 

 colors desirable for brilliancy in floral effects. The Bride 

 is a handsome white with pink eye ;. G. F. Wilson flowers 

 slate blue, while Goos & Koenemann's new Blueteiitep- 

 pich appears in clear pink and their latest introduction 

 Sternteppich, produces charming sheets of star-shaped 

 blossoms of a beautiful clear lavender blue. Phlox 

 amcena. one of the older species, 7 to 8 inches tall, can 

 be used for spring bedding or for edging purposes. Our 

 frontispiece shows its effect in the writer's rock-garden 

 built last year. The planting was done April 6th, and 

 the picture taken May Sr.th. following. The color of tho 

 flowers is a bright carmine pink of remarkable strengtn. 



Phlox subulata alba 



Equally well known is Phlox divarieata canadensis, 1 

 foot high, flowering in loose panicles of a pure pale blue. 

 Distinguished by a more robust growth and longer peri- 

 od of flowering is the very striking novelty Phlox divari- 

 eata Laphami. A great acquisition for rockeries, it will 

 be found extremely useful as a bedding plant and for 

 the herbaceous border, its beautiful large pale blue flow- 

 ers being a choice material for cutting. Closing my 

 notes, I wish to call attention to Phlox pilosa, one of the 

 best spring-flowering species for grouping. In bright 

 sunlight the effect of its masses of clear rosy lavender 

 flowers on stems from 12 to 16 inches long, is simply 

 grand. 



All the taller growing varieties mentioned should be 

 cut back after flowering, to insure a strong bushy growth 

 near the root-stock and a green appearance through the 

 later part of the season. The species subulata and seta- 

 cea, being creepers, as a rule are not cut at all. Spring 

 flowering phloxes prefer a light sandy soil of sufficient 

 moisture-retaining humus to prevent them from being 

 burned out. Propagating is done by division or cuttings. 

 As a rule seeding is not very abundant, and for this 

 reason seeds are seldom obtainable. 



-^uJi/:vul-^<f(AA/ 



Riverton, N. J. 



Reading notices are the worst possible 

 kind of advertising, for they are on their 

 own face deception. The reader is bun- 

 coed. Naturally he resents it and then the 

 boomerang swats the fellow who hoped to 

 gain by it. — Schultz. 



