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The Perennial Garden: Phlox
Phlox. The phlox paniculata, or summer blooming hardy phlox is one of the most reliable and showy [72] of the herbaceous perennials. It is perfectly hardy and will stand a good deal of neglect and still give good results, but the size of the flowers can be increased and the length of its blooming season prolonged by good care. Phlox is not fastidious about its location, doing well in sun and partial shade, but it does respond to a rich deeply prepared soil and frequent cultivation throughout the season. Never allow the plants to suffer from dry weather. As soon as the blooms fade remove the flower heads in order to conserve their energy for another crop of bloom, and also to prevent the plants from seeding themselves. This is of great importance, because the little seedlings that grow up in and around the old clumps are not true to variety, and are a cause of the so called "reverting" to magenta. The best results are secured from young plants and the stock should be renewed, by division of the roots in early spring or fall every third year. Phlox may also be propagated by cuttings taken from the new growth in spring, or from the side shoots that develop later in the season, and rooted in a cold frame.
A little rotted cow manure or sheep manure cultivated into the soil around each plant, after the first bloom, will aid in the production of a second crop of flowers. [73] Varieties. Elizabeth Campbell, best salmon pink, Europa, white with carmine eye, very pretty, Mrs. Jenkins, white, good for shade, Baron von Dedem, scarlet, Rhinelander, vivid salmon, large flowers, May blooming Phlox. Miss Lingard, glossy foliage with white flowers, blooms in June and at intervals through July and August provided the flower heads are removed as soon as they fade. Phlox divaricata, April and May, good for edging purposes as it grows about 1 foot high, dark green foliage and lilac and white flowers. Only blooms once. Rock garden varieties discussed in Chapter V which treats of rock plants.
Papaver Orientale, Oriental Poppy. This poppy comes in crimson and various shades of pink, its handsome large flowers appear during late May. They combine beautifully with May blooming perennials, however, soon after the flowering period their tops die down leaving empty spaces through the beds which may be filled with annuals to continue the bloom.
Poppies are best divided in late summer after the foliage has disappeared, or in early fall, not later than October 1st. They do not like to be transplanted and one cannot expect the finest blooms the season after moving. Never disturb the plants in spring and leave the old clumps untouched as long as they bloom satisfactorily. New stock may be raised from seed, [74] sow seed in June sown in June in a very well prepared seed bed and barely covered with finely pulverized soil.
Varieties. Mrs. Perry, best salmon pink. Mrs.
Jno. Hawkins, salmon pink. Perry's, white, Mary Studholme, salmon pink. Cérise Beauty, bright cérise. The Papaver Naudicaule or Iceland poppy can be obtained in orange, yellow and white, it is classed among the perennials, but is short lived. The plants can be allowed to seed themselves, or fresh seed may be started every year or two in a frame or seed bed. Platycodon, Japanese Bellflower. The Japanese Bellflower is related to the Canterbury Bell and produces attractive cup shaped flowers resembling those of Canterbury Bells. They are rather deep rooted and the soil in which they grow should be deeply worked and rich, but not too heavy or too light. They will not stand badly drained locations but under congenial conditions are perfectly hardy. Propagate preferably by seeds sown in June, and transplant to the garden the following spring. Division of the roots is not an advisable means of propagation but can be done if necessary, in spring only. Varieties. Grandiflorum, deep blue, July. Album, white, July.
Pyrethrum, Painted Daisy. Pyrethrum is an oldfashioned garden favorite; its blooming season is June; [75] the flowers come in shades of pink, red and white, and resemble large daisies. They are easily grown and if planted in a sunny situation in fertile well-drained flower beds they will give little trouble. An occasional watering should be given when necessary, in order to prevent them from drying out too much, and a little rotted manure dug into the soil around the plants each spring will be of great benefit in maintaining a vigorous growth. The blooming season may be prolonged by removing the flowers as soon as they fade. The stock can be increased either by allowing the flowers to seed themselves, or by division of the roots made spring or fall. As the seedlings appear they should be transplanted to the nursery row and kept watered and cultivated to encourage growth. They will not produce good blooming plants for two or three years, depending upon the care they have in the nursery.
Varieties. Roseum, rosy pink, Uliginosum, white.