PHLOX — PRIMULAS 



389 



sown in the open ground in May, or for early plants, in the hotbed 

 in March. They may be sown close in the fall if sown very late, so that 

 the seeds will not start till spring. 



The perennial phlox of the gardens has been developed from the 

 native species, Phlox paniculata and P. inaculata. The garden forms 

 are often collectively known under the name of P. decussata. In recent 

 years the perennial phlox has been much improved, and it now con- 

 stitutes one of the best of all flower-garden subjects. It grows three 

 feet tall, and bears a profusion of fine flowers in heavy trusses in mid- 

 summer to fall. Figs. 246, 248. 



Perennial phlox is of easy culture. The important point is that 

 the plants begin to fail of best bloom about the third year, and they 

 are likely to become diseased; and new plantings should be made if 

 the strongest flowers are desired. The plants may be taken up in fall, 

 the roots divided and cleaned of dead and weak parts, and the pieces 

 replanted. Usually, however, the beginner will secure more satis- 

 faction in purchasing new cutting-grown plants. This phlox propa- 

 gates readily by seed, and if one does not care to perpetuate the par- 

 ticular variety, he will find much satisfaction in raising seedlings. 

 Some varieties "come true" from seed with fair regularity. Seedlings 

 should bloom the second year. 



Fertile garden soil of any kind should raise good perennial phlox. 

 See that the plants do not want for water or plant-food at blooming 

 time. Liquid manure will often help to keep them going. If they 

 are likely to suffer for water when in bloom, wet the ground well every 

 evening. 



If the leading shoots are pinched off early in the season, and again 

 in midsummer, the bloom will be later, perhaps in September rather 

 than in July. 



Primulas, or primroses, are of various kinds, some being border 

 plants, but mostly known in this country as greenhouse and window- 

 garden subjects. One of them is the auricula (p. 354). The true or 

 English cowslip is one of the hardy border plants; also the plants 

 commonly known as polyanthus. 



Common hardy primulas (or polyanthus and related forms) grow 

 6 to 10 inches high, sending up trusses of yellow and red flowers in 



