PHLOX. 141 



The vernal ones, too, are acceptable, though humble in growth, 

 and delight the eye with their brilliancy and loveliness. The 

 summer varieties embrace some of the most beautiful sorts ; 

 they being intermediate in height, more delicate in foliage, and 

 include most of the fine new eyed, striped or shaded varieties. 

 They flower the second time if cut down immediately after 

 flowering, in July. 



While many herbaceous plants require protection in winter, 

 none of those I am about to describe need it, with the exception 

 of the dwarf species, which are evergreen ; the flower-buds are 

 formed in autumn, and should be slightly protected, or rather 

 shaded. It is not so much the cold as the powerful March sun 

 which does the damage ; all that is necessary, in most cases, of 

 protection, is to prevent the action of the sun upon the plant 

 when in a frozen state. Most of the species delight in a moist, 

 rich soil, but succeed tolerably well in almost any situation, 

 provided that it is not very light and dry. No plant is more 

 easily propagated. It is done generally by dividing the roots 

 immediately after the bloom is over, for the early-flowering 

 sorts, and in the spring for the late ones. They may also be 

 raised easily from cuttings, and from seed. 



CLASS I. EARLY VARIETIES FLOWERING IN MAY. 



Phlox subulata. Moss Pink. The leaf is subulate or awl- 

 shaped ; that is, narrow at the base, and becoming more or less 

 curved to one side at the point. This pretty species displays 

 its showy pink flowers the last of April, and in such profusion 

 as to conceal its yellowish-green foliage, and continues in bloom 

 for nearly a month, and is companion with the two following, 

 and, like them, from four to six inches high. It is known by 

 the common name of Moss Pink. It can be so rapidly increased 

 that it may be used to advantage for edgings, but requires some 

 care to keep it in order. 



There are many improved varieties of this species, viz. 

 white, purple, large pink, lilac with a red eye, &c. 



