PHLOX (Lat., from Gk. 4)26E, sort of flower, Hanle, from 02(.ELp, phhfu in. to burn; connected with Lat. Ilaarar,., to born, Skt. Urn), to shine brightly). A genii, of mostly tall, erect, spread ing perennial herbs belonging to the order Polemoniaeoe, natives of North America. The ?• • 119.
species, nearly all of which have a wide natural distribution within the I u ited States, have entire lea ves, and generally very showy flowers either solitary or in terminal clusters. Owing to their hardiness. easy eultivation, and the size and beauty of their flowers, ninny hybrid varieties with single and double flowers. in many colors, forms, markings, and long period of bloom, and a few of the pure species, arc grown in gardens, being well adapted for planting on rockeries and in borders and groups. The best known annual of this genus is Phlox Drum mondii, native of Texas, from all annual phloxes now in cultivation have been derived. Phlox pilosa is a somewhat variable species which flowers from Alay to August. Phlox reptons is native
to the Alleghany Alountains. Phlox Stellurio- is much prized as an ornamental plant on account of its numerous white flowers. The ground or moss pink commonly grown in gardens is Phlox subulata. The wild sweet William (Phlox diro rico has pale lilac or bluish flowers appearing in spring and early summer. All the species of phlox grow readily in ordinary rich soil; the annuals from seeds and the perennials from seeds, division of the stools, or cuttings of the stems and roots. The seeds are sown early in the spring, given gentle heat, and after the seedlings are large enough they are transplanted, hardened under glass, and later set out in the open. The stein cuttings are made in sunliner and placed in fine sandy soil under cold frames or in greenhouses. The root cuttings when slightly covered with soil and placed in gentle heat sprout readily. After the cuttings have rooted they may be treated like the seedlings.