PERENNIALS AND CALIFORNIA BULBS 33 
Perennial Phlox. Fine in bold masses of white, red and purple 
PERENNIAL PHLOX 
The Perennial Phlox most commonly known are all forms of Phlox paniculata or 
P. decussata. They are among the very best perennial plants known for midsummer 
effects and especially in bold groupings. The flowers are in many shades of both soft 
and brilliant colors, so that by selecting colors they will blend with any planting. 
As they vary in height from 10 inches to 5 feet it will be seen that they have great possi- 
bilities for hardy borders. The best effect is to be had by massing in groups of from 
six plants on of a single color. They can be planted to good advantage in open shrubbery 
or in front of tall shrubs. 
Culture. Sit., in sun if in a cool climate; in light shade or where the sun is cut off 
in the heat of the day if in a hot climate. Dense shade is not good and a hot, dry posi- 
tion out of the question. Soil, best of all a well-worked garden loam whether sandy clay or 
even fairly gravelly with a liberal dressing of well-rotted manure worked in. PL, Sep- 
tember to March. Fall is better than the spring. Prop., two-year-old plants are best. 
They can be propagated in three ways: (1) Divisions of old clumps. In this case the 
vigorous young shoots on the outside are to be kept. (2) By young shoots cut off in 
spring and rooted in a house or frame. (3) By root-cuttings cut off and planted in the 
winter. All of these make fine plants the second season. Seeds are worthless; they 
grow easily but produce a large percentage of poorly colored flowers. 
Mulching. In California a summer covering of any fibrous material, such as fairly 
well-rotted manure, grass-clippings, leaf-mold, or even shavings, will prevent the sur- 
face of the soil from getting dry and is a great help. 
