HARDY PLANTS. 
196 
Next come the dwarf evergreen or alpine phloxes. These 
are exceedingly showy plants for the rockery or margins of 
borders. They only grow a few inches high, have trailing or 
creeping shoots, and flower profusely in late spring and early 
summer. When well established in good ordinary, well-drained 
soil and in a sunny position the plants form large tufts, 
trailing freely over stones, and are most effective when in 
blossom. The best known species are: P. amcena, rose, June, 
6in. ; P. divaricata, blue, May, ift. ; P. divaricata alba, white; 
P. ovata, deep rose, May, ift. ; P. procumbens, lilac-blue, June, 
6in. ; P. reptans, rosy-purple, May, 6in. ; P. Stellaria, silvery 
grey or white, June, 6in. ; and P. subulata (Moss Pink), 
pinkish purple or white, May, 6in. Of the latter there are 
many lovely varieties, namely : Aldboroughensis, rose ; annu- 
lata, blush, with purple ring ; atro-lilacina, lilac ; atro- 
purpurea, purple, rose and crimson; compacta, rose; Fairy, 
lilac ; frondosa, pink ; G. F. Wilson, mauve ; grandiflora, 
pink, blotched with crimson ; Little Dot, white, blue centre ; 
Nelsoni, white ; pallida, rose and lilac ; setacea, rosy-pink, 
6in., May; rosea major, rose, crimson eye; and Vivid, rose, 
carmine centre. These are best planted in spring in gritty 
sandy loam. Damp in winter is fatal to them, so grow in a 
position fairly dry and sunny. 
As regards propagation. P. Drummondii, in addition to 
being reared from seed, may also be increased by cuttings in 
autumn, but this method is only advised in the case of very 
choice varieties. The herbaceous kinds may be increased by 
seed grown in heat in March, and the seedlings planted out in 
May ; by cuttings of young shoots 3in. long inserted in sandy 
soil in a cold frame in spring ; also by division of the plant 
in April. The alpine kinds are readily propagated by cuttings 
of young shoots inserted in sandy soil in a cold shady frame 
in July ; or by covering the trailing shoots with sandy soil in 
summer, and removing the rooted shoots the following year. 
Phuopsis (Crosswort). — P. stylosa is a pretty dwarf 
trailing perennial, belonging to the Madder family (Rubiaceae). 
It is a native of Persia, and bears rose or pink blossoms in 
terminal heads during summer. The leaves are arranged in 
whorls on stems a foot long A variety of this, Coccinea, has 
deep red or scarlet flowers. These plants will thrive in any 
soil except heavy clay, and are suitable for growing on large 
rockeries, banks, or in borders. On sandy or chalky soils they 
are quite at home. Plant in autumn or spring. Increased by 
seeds sown outdoors in April, also by division in autumn. This 
plant is also known as Crucanella stylosa. 
Phygelius (Cape Figwort). — P. capensis, the only 
species grown, is a showy hardy perennial, growing 3 to 4ft. 
