douglasi—alpine phlox—Three-inch Western native with half-inch knife-like evergreen leaves and half-inch white or pastel flowers (in June).
rigida—sandhill phlox—Western alpine, similar to douglasi except for thinner, more sharply pointed leaves and white flowers blending to blue and purple. The more acid the soil, the deeper the colors.
stolonifera—creeping phlox—Partly or fully evergreen creeper with four-inch stems, oval, hairy leaves, and full clusters of light or dark lavender flowers in May and June.
subulata—ground moss, or mountain pink—In April and May the six-inch mats of evergreen leaves are almost invisible under the profuse cover of one-inch, fragrant flowers. They may be purple, purplish-pink, or white, and some varieties are red or blue.
CARE. Fertile soil, acid or alkaline according to the variety. Moist. Most are hardy, again according to the variety.
PROPAGATION. Seeds (do not always come true), cuttings in July and August, division of roots.
SPECIAL USES. Rock gardens, edging, ground cover.
Primula Primulaceae Primrose Official “Sections,” by common cultural requirements.
Auricula Section. P. auricula and other European alpines and their hybrids; usually evergreen; flower in early spring. Stony, drained, rich loamy soil lightened by leaf mold and sand; will stand more sun than most, but not hot midday sun; likes its roots under stones; mulch with stone chips.
Candelabra Section from Asia. Flowers in tiers, one whorl above another, open-faced; most tall with big leaves. Needs moist soil, part shade. Flowers in late spring and early summer. Disappear over winter.