288 POPULAR GARDEN FLOWERS 



colours are varied, and the flower-heads are of good 

 size. The late bloomers are at their best from August 

 to October, and are rather taller in the main than their 

 early sisters, although some, notably the magnificent 

 white, Tapis Blanc, are quite dwarf. They are very 

 vigorous plants, with strong stems, and when established 

 in suitable soil spread into glorious masses. They 

 present a considerable range of colours, some of which 

 are brilliant in the extreme. One of their most power- 

 ful recommendations is the long period during which 

 they remain in bloom. They are often beautiful until 

 November. 



The spring-flowering varieties (as distinct from 

 species) of Phloxes have come from the " Moss Pink," 

 Phlox subulata (from subulate, awl-shaped) species, grow- 

 ing only about six inches high, and having purple 

 flowers, introduced from North America in 1786. With 

 its prostrate stems and dense mass of flowers this little 

 Phlox is a real carpetter, and is suitable for the rockery. 

 Frondosa and nivalis are forms of it. The former, with 

 its rosy lilac flowers, is a great favourite. It grows 

 rapidly, and so spreads into a broad mass. There are 

 now many charming varieties of subulata, giving much 

 variety of colour, and they form pretty cushions in the 

 border or on the rockery. 



There is yet another important section of Phloxes, 

 namely, the annual forms grown under the name of 

 Drummondii. Phlox Drummondii is a free flowering 

 annual, growing about a foot high, with purple 

 blossoms, which was introduced from Texas in 1835, 

 and is illustrated in the Botanical Magazine, t. 3441. 

 It was soon seen to be a useful plant, although it was 

 neither perennial nor hardy, and distinct forms of it 

 were soon raised and offered by seedsmen under dif- 



