ON PHLOXES 287 



sometimes sees a set of Phloxes referred to as " belong- 

 ing to the decussata section." Since decussata is a 

 synonym, or at the most an almost identical form of, 

 maculata ; and since maculata has only shared a part 

 with paniculata in parenting the modern late-blooming 

 Phloxes, the phrase " decussata section " is unfortunate. 

 However, there is no need to use it, as "late flowering" 

 suffices. We need only teach ourselves what it amounts 

 to, and then drop it for good. 



The use of 'Mate-flowering" as a sectional term 

 suggests that there are at least two classes of perennial 

 Phloxes. As a matter of fact there are three, but one 

 of them is a distinctly spring-blooming group. There 

 are two which flower in summer, and the earlier set has 

 derived from a different species, as might be supposed. 

 Phlox: glaberrima (from glaber, smooth, devoid of hairs ; 

 glaberrima means very smooth), a red species intro- 

 duced in 1725, had a form named suffruticosa (a suffru- 

 ticose plant is one that loses its leaves every year, but 

 retains its stems, and Phloxes growers will observe 

 that Phloxes hold their stems much longer than their 

 leaves), which bore pink flowers. This variety is figured 

 in the Botanical Magazine, t. 1555. The flower-lover 

 now understands why it is that he sees a section 

 described as the " suffruticosa group," and rightly 

 assumes that they have derived from Phlox glaberrima 

 suffruticosa. Nominally the parent does not bloom 

 earlier than the parents of the decussata group ; but 

 the varieties are earlier, and the section is usually 

 spoken of as the Early-flowering Phloxes. 



There are many beautiful varieties of both sections, 

 and each ought to be represented in gardens. Most 

 of the members of the early group grow two to two 

 and a half feet high, and bloom in June and July. The 



