PHLOX DRUMMONDII

Half-hardy annual



Those who are acquainted with the older forms of this annual might fail

to recognise a friend under its new and improved appearance. There are

now several beautiful types, each possessing characteristics of its own,

and all producing flowers that are perfect in form and brilliant in

colour. The large-flowered section produces splendid bedding plants, but

the dwarf compact varieties are also highly prized for effective massing

and general usefulness. The latter attain a height seldom exceeding six

inches, and are therefore eminently suitable for edgings and borders, as

well as for bedding. They bloom profusely for a long period, not only in

the open ground, but also as pot plants in the greenhouse or

conservatory, where they are conspicuous for the richness of their

display.



For early flowering sow seed of all the varieties in February or March

in well-drained pans or shallow boxes. Any good sifted soil, made firm,

will suit them, and every seed should be separately pressed in, allowing

about an inch between each; then cover with fine soil. This will

generally give sufficient space between the plants to save pricking off;

but if the growth becomes so strong as to render a transfer necessary,

lift every alternate plant, fill the vacant spots with soil, and those

left will have room to develop. Pot the plants that are taken out, give

them a start in a frame, and shade from direct sunshine. Phloxes should

not be coddled; the best results are always obtained from sturdy plants

which have been hardened as far as possible by free access of air from

their earliest stage of growth. This does not imply that they are to be

rudely transferred from protection to the open air. The change can

easily be managed gradually until some genial evening makes it perfectly

safe to expose them fully. A space of about two feet each way is

required for each plant of the large-flowered class, but a more modest

allowance of nine or twelve inches will suffice for the dwarf varieties.

Before they are put out the plants must be free from aphis; if not,

fumigation should be resorted to once or twice until there is a

clearance of the pest. Seed of the annual Phlox may also be sown in the

open ground during the latter part of May, and the plants will flower

abundantly from mid-August until frost destroys them.



The employment of Phlox as pot plants has already been alluded to, but

special mention must be made of Purity, which is by far the most

valuable of all the varieties for blooming indoors. The pure white

flowers, which are sweetly scented, may be produced at almost any period

of the year. They are, perhaps, more highly appreciated at Easter than

at any other time, and to insure a display at that season seed should be

sown in September or October. The plants will do well if grown on in a

cold frame, the final shift being into pots of the 48-size. When grown

under glass, Phlox should be given treatment as nearly hardy as

possible, all that is necessary in regulating temperature being the

exclusion of frost from the greenhouse or frame.