THE 



AMERICAN 



GARDENER'S MAGAZINE. 



OCTOBER, 1836. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art. I. Some Remarks on the Genus Phlox. By John 

 Lewis Russell, A. M., Prof. Bot. and Veg. Phys. to the 

 Mass. Hort. Soc. 



The almost exclusive American genus of Phlox, from Its 

 varied and exceeding beauty, claims a much higher regard of the 

 favorable notice of the floriculturist than the present taste seems 

 to evince. Who is not struck with the appearance of some snug 

 and favorite garden site, where, from its confined limits, a few only 

 of the most ornamental plants can be introduced, when he sees a 

 good and select collection of phloxes occupying the well ar- 

 ranged borders? I have often thought than an entire collection 

 of the numerous species and varieties of this single plant, grown 

 in a manner best suited to their different habits, would make a 

 rare, unique, and altogether unrivalled appearance, and recom- 

 mend itself, at least to some tastes, for its novelty. 



I suspect that the comparatively low estimation in which the 

 phloxes are held in this country is mainly owing to the improper 

 management of their cultivation. Thus it is an uncommon sight 

 to see a well grown phlox. I know not how, and with what suc- 

 cess, they cultivate the plant in England, where the humid nature 

 of the climate would no doubt materially assist in producing, if 

 not fine flowers, at least a considerable duration of them. It is 

 however certain that the plant is there considered worthy of much 

 attention, from the fact that new and sometimes fine varieties are 

 produced by the ingenuity and patience of florists. 



From the neglect to the wants of the several species, as ob- 

 servable in the gardens of this vicinity, one is not much tempted 



VOL. II. NO. X. 46 



