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’OR brilliant, bold color effects in mass during the late summer and autumn, the Hardy 
jj! Phloxes are indispensable. Without them it would be difficult to maintain the display 
of dazzling color afforded during July and August, at a time during which there is little 
else in bloom to be depended upon. Next to the irises and peonies, they are the most 
useful hardy plants we have, filling in, as they do, the gap between the early summer 
and the fall-blooming plants. 
No flower has been more wonderfully improved of late years, and the immense size 
and perfect form of new varieties will be a revelation to those who know only the old- 
fashioned kinds, with their dull colors and small trusses. The superb new varieties produce im¬ 
mense trusses of flowers, more than double the size of the old varieties, in pure, brilliant colors of almost 
every shade but yellow, and in the most varied and striking combinations imaginable, from purest white, 
delicate flesh, soft pinks, through salmons, oranges, fiery scarlets, the colors go, to deep blood-red, crimson, 
dark maroon, purple and amaranth. There are pale mauves and lavenders, soft blues and lilacs, deep 
violets and the dark metallic blue of Gloire de Maroc, as seen in the morning and evening light, shading 
in the bright sunlight to the darkest purple. 
There are large, white, star-shaped centers, surrounded by rings of strong color, and flowers of soft, 
delicate shades, with vivid scarlet or maroon eyes, and petals with rays of color in various shades. 
They may be planted in large masses of one solid color for landscape effects, as single specimens, or 
in groups in the hardy border, to produce any desired color. They are also very useful for planting among 
beds of earlier-blooming plants, such as poppies, peonies, etc., since they will endure the crowding of these 
plants in the early part of the season, and later send up their tall spikes of bloom, continuing the color 
effect after the spring flowers have gone. 
The older varieties were nearly all tall, but of late many very dwarf kinds have been introduced, which 
may be effectively used as borders for beds of the taller varieties, or among the low-growing plants of the 
hardy border. Especially useful for this purpose is Tapis Blanc, growing only to a height of 6 to 8 inches, but 
producing enormous, pure white flowers. A grand companion to Tapis Blanc is Argon, clear salmon-rose. 
Culture. —Phloxes are gross feeders and, while they will grow and bloom almost anywhere, only by 
giving them very rich soil and plenty of moisture in dry seasons can the best results be obtained. They will 
thrive in partial shade, where the colors are brighter and endure longer than in the open sunlight. Their 
natural season of bloom is in July and August, but, by pinching out the tops of part of the plants before the 
buds have formed, they will bloom much later and form many branches. This process may be repeated sev¬ 
eral times, if desired, throwing the blooming season into the late fall. They should be divided and replanted 
at least every third year, as, after the clumps become closely crowded, the trusses and blooms are very 
much inclined to deteriorate. 
The dwarf varieties may be planted 10 to 12 inches apart and the tall ones 18 inches apart for im¬ 
mediate effect. In well-enriched, highly cultivated ground, where they can remain to form large clumps, 
they will require from 2 to feet of space. 
In wet seasons, foliage of Phlox is sometimes attacked by mildew, which can be checked by sprinkling 
the plants and dusting them thoroughly with powdered sulphur, upon the first sign of its appearance. In 
dry seasons, in some localities, they are attacked by red spider, which is immediately detected by the lower 
leaves becoming a rusty brown. Where possible, apply the full force of the hose to the under side of the 
leaves, or dust the ground under them with sulphur during hot sunshine. Should the attack be severe, 
cut the plants to within a few inches of the ground, and allow them to make fresh growth. 
They may be planted any time from early to late fall, or in spring from April to the end of May. 
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