1876 .] 
THE CARNATION AND PICOTEE.-CHAPTER VIII. 
169 
NEW PHLOXES. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
Li^HETHER we look at the annual form represented by the splendid 
lisL/ varieties of Phlox Drmnmondii^ the rock plants of which P. setacea is a 
01’ the taller summer-flowering varieties which have sprung from 
P. deciissata, such as are represented in our plate, the popularity of the 
Phlox as a garden-flower is fully accounted for. Of the latter group, the French 
cultivators have during the last few years obtained many splendid novelties, 
affording both richness and variety of colouring. We have selected three, as 
showing very distinct types of flower, but there are many others equally good 
and equally desirable. The brilliant glowing carmine tint of Eesplendens (fig. 1) 
is not to be reproduced on paper ; there are also lighter and darker shades of a 
similar hue, while others are more rosy, or more empurpled, or more pinky, all 
large-headed and brilliant in the summer garden. Madame Durennb (fig. 2) 
represents one of the lilacs, with a crimson eye; while a third type, with lilac 
flowers and a pale centre, occurs in Menotth (fig. 3). This last comes nearer in 
colouring to some of the older varieties, but forms a nice contrast when growing 
among the higher-eoloured modern sorts. There are also many very beautiful 
varieties amongst the whites, which have pink, crimson, or purple eyes. 
The easy culture, neat habit, and gay colouring of the Phloxes recommend 
them as border flowers in every mixed garden ; and they are, moreover, amongst 
the hardiest perennials we cultivate. Thej^Jike a cool rich soil, and have no 
objection to peat-earth. Young plants may be raised from cuttings annually, 
and these, if vigorous, flower well in a comparatively dwarf state. The next 
season they break up strongly from the base, attain a greater height, and are 
perhaps at their best as regards an effective display, though if well cared for, 
and sufficiently strong at planting-out time, the young plants often develope 
exceedingly fine heads of blossom. A note of a few good sorts will be found at 
p. 286 of our volume for 1875. We have to thank Mr. John Fraser, of Lea Bridge 
Road, for the specimens figured, which were selected from his choice collection of 
these flowers.—T. Moore. 
THE CARNATION AND PICOTEE. 
Chapter VIII.— Why do Carnations Run ?—Work for August. 
®HIS running of the colours of the flowers is one of the difficulties which 
the grower has to encounter, and it is often a matter of serious distress 
to the inexperienced cultivator. So it has been from the beginning. 
One correspondent [“ J. C.’'] writes on this subject thus:— 
“ I really am at a loss to find anything like a clear theory in mixing soils for Carnations. 
I only used plain rotted turf, liberally mixed with charcoal, not a particle of manure, and 
only one dash of weak liquid manure in June, but my plants and flowers were the surprise of 
all, though hut few, and far superior to the previous year, when I grew them in what is 
termed a rich, generous soil, and applied the nectar as freely as if they every day required a 
feast. Moreover, there was an almost total absence of that great drawback, rm flowers, 
which in the previous year I had suffered especially from. 
3rd series.-IX. Q 
