June 22, 1907. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
417 
The- 
Creeping 
Phlox 
(Phlox reptans). 
The dwarf spring flowering Phlox here 
indicated well merits its title of creeping 
Phlox, for while the plant is in full 
bloom it is sending out stems close to the 
ground bearing a number of leaves on 
the up-turned end. P inally when this 
stem comes in contact with the ground 
roots are produced at the knee or elbow 
reminding one somewhat of a Strawberry, 
though this plant produces only one 
crown at the end of each stem. The 
flowering stems are about 3 in. or 4 in. 
high in the open air, though they may 
grow an inch taller under glass. ihc 
flowers are produced in a loose umbel or 
cyme, and are of a deep rose-purple. 
This Phlo'x is altogether distinct from the 
one which we figured recently, for the 
leaves are much broader and narrowed to 
the base from a rounded end. 
Increase can, be obtained by the creep¬ 
ing stems above mentioned, and where a 
number of fresh plants are required it 
would be of great assistance to lay a 
stone on each runner to prevent the wind 
tossing about the young stems, or a peg 
will answer the same purpose. Only 
slight encouragement is necessary to get 
the plant to produce roots. As soon as 
rooting has taken place the runners may 
be separated from the parent plant and 
planted on the rockery or in the reserve 
garden, as the case may be. It some¬ 
times happens that a large number are 
required in establishments where spring 
bedding is carried out extensively, and 
this plan answers the purpose admirably. 
The rooted runners may, indeed, be 
Some growers are of opinion that the 
plant represented in the accompanying 
illustration should be named M. rupicola 
on account of its very dwarf habit. The 
plant is, however, a native of this coun¬ 
try, and found only on high elevations. 
During the early stages of growth it is 
almost as dwarf as an Eritrichium, but 
as growth proceeds the same lengthens 
considerably. It may be said that culti¬ 
vation at low levels encourages ranker 
growth than on the tops of mountains. 
We mav remind readers that M. r. 
Victoria is a very dwarf variety of this 
alpine, while M. r. Imperatrice Elizabeth 
is a very much taller grower, being sel¬ 
dom under 1 ft. in height. 
A dav or two before the photograph was 
taken in the Alpine House at Kew the 
stems varied from 1 in. to 3 in. just after 
they had first come into bloom. The 
flowers are of an intense blue, with an 
orange eye that fades to white with age. 
This eye is so small, however, that it can 
only be seen on close inspection, while 
at a little distance away one is impressed 
with the intensity of the blue and the 
attractive appearance of the little patch, 
which one would take for an Eritrichium 
nanum until one comes to close quarters. 
Those who would like the dwarf form of 
The Alpine Forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris). Maclaren and Sons. 
The Creeping Phlox (Phlox reptans). Maclaren and Sons. 
Green flv has been somewhat noticeable 
this year. ' Directly it appears it should 
be destroyed, as it spreads remarkably 
quickly and does a great deal of damage. 
Any reliable insecticide may be used. 
No lover of the Sweet Pea should miss 
visiting the National Sweet Pea Sociey’s 
annual show at the Royal Horticultural 
Hall. Westminster. This promises to be 
the finest one that has yet been held. 
G. F. DRAYSON. 
--- 
The Alpine . . 
Forget-me-not 
/ - "" 
|(Myosotis alpestris). 
this plant should get that which is sold 
under the name of M. alpestris or M. 
rupicola or M. alpestris rupicola, as it is 
the wild plant which has neither been 
improved by crossing nor in any other 
way. 
Propagation is easily effected by cut¬ 
tings in pots of sandy soil in a cold frame 
during the summer months. All that 
is necessary is to take off the shoots which 
have not flowered and after removing 
some of the lower leaves insert them 
firmly, and thev will produce roots with¬ 
out difficulty. ’ Indeed, the plant would 
also come true from seeds when the 
plants ripen such. 
