Mystery Phlox

[Darren]

I bought this P. subulata about 20 years ago with a cultivar name that was clearly wrong. Now I feel I should try to identify it.

My feeling is that it is probably 'Emerald Cushion Blue'. The picture is slightly too pink - in reality the flowers are more on the blue side of lilac.

Any views on this?  Either way - it is a terrific plant (provided it gets a severe hair cut after flowering) and I've propagated it so there are now a number around the garden.

[Maggi Young]

Suspect you are correct, Darren -  this Wisley Log from 2009  has a handy compilation shot of cultivars on page 2  : http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2009May071241703840Log_10_of_2009.pdf

[Roma]

Did you scroll down to the end and see the ducklings

[SusanS]

Did you scroll down to the end and see the ducklings

Glad you prompted me to look Roma, they are so cute.

[Darren]

Many thanks Maggi 

[Lvandelft]

Hi Darren, just found your query today.
I’ve grown diverse Phlox subulata in our nursery for many years. Looking at your plant I believe that it is cv. Benita. The spots at the base of the petals in your plant are more distinct than in Emerald Cushion Blue. I don’t have a picture of Benita. The pics I made were always more pinkish than blue so I did not keep them. I presume because the little spots at base are a bit reddish, my camera could not get the blue color right.
Hereby a picture of P. Emerald Cushion Blue as it is in my garden.
Phlox subulata Emerald Cushion Blue

[Darren]

Thank you Luit,

You are correct in that the spots are quite distinct. Certainly more so than in your picture of Emerald Cushion Blue. Pictures of Benita on the web look a close match for the colour and spots but the petals perhaps don't seem as deeply lobed as my plant?

The original label said 'Tamaongalei' which is certainly not right.

[Lvandelft]

Indeed Darren, the petals on your plant are rather deeply lobed.
The only one nearly to your flowers is Purple Beauty, but has a different colour and then there used to be an older cv, G.F. Wilson, which is higher than Em. C. Blue, but it is too long ago that I've seen this plant to be sure.
There are many pics on the net but many names are given to the wrong plant.
I found a description in an old Gartenpraxis by Fritz Kummert (1992) and it could be the right match?
I could send you the Pdf to your mail address when you send me a PM. The article is in German with a page of flower pictures.

[SusanS]

Thank you Luit - I will ask Darren to be in touch with you.

I am glad you suggested G.F. Wilson, whilst browsing the net yesterday I spotted a photograph of a plant labelled with this name and it certainly looked a good match.

The plant we have forms a low but pronounced dome (which may just reflect the fact we cut it back each year) whereas the Emerald Cushion Blue in the same trough is a much lower dome and more of a mat (but again that could just be differences in cutting back)

We bought the plant from a small family run nursery close to where we used to live, we are not certain if the nursery still exists but are hoping to pop round that way when we next go to visit family in the area.  Whilst we brought the plant nearly 20 years ago we are hoping that they did their own propagation, rather than buying in for resale.  If this is the case than there is a good chance they may remember what varieties they used to produce (thereby narrowing the search) or have stock plants on site we can use for identification.

Whilst a little frustrating, it is also fun trying to workout which of the many options it could be.
Will keep you posted as to how it goes at the nursery.

Susan

[Lvandelft]

The plant we have forms a low but pronounced dome (which may just reflect the fact we cut it back each year) whereas the Emerald Cushion Blue in the same trough is a much lower dome and more of a mat (but again that could just be differences in cutting back)

Susan, I was wondering about that, when seeing the picture.

Whilst a little frustrating, it is also fun trying to workout which of the many options it could be.
Will keep you posted as to how it goes at the nursery.

Susan

That would be great!

[SusanS]

Hi Luit,
thank you for your help and the file you sent to Darren

We are confident the plant in question is phlox subulata G.F.Wilson, it certainly fits the written descriptions we have encountered in some of the older books and the over all shape and markings fit with the image you kindly provided, the colour is not quite right but that is probably due to the reproduction / photography more than anything else.

Unfortunately the nursery we bought the plant from ceased trading in 2007, had a lovely chat on the telephone with the gentleman who used to run it.  Sadly many of the plants within the gardens have lost their labels over time and he can no longer identify many of the plants.  This is a real shame as they had some wonderfully unusual plants and older cultivars planted in the display areas. 

But it happens ...... otherwise we wouldn't be posting on this thread   

Susan

[Lvandelft]

Hi Susan,
when your plant, as it seems, really is Phlox sub. G.F. Wilson then you have a plant in the garden that should be propagated and given to other serious gardeners, because I think it is a plant which in the trade only is offered under this name but rarely (never?) is the right plant.

It deserves to be kept in cultivation, as it was introduced as early as 1894 (?) by the Rev. Wolley Dodd and originated from a cross of Phlox bifida with Phlox subulata. The deeply lobed petals are clearly from P. bifida.

[Darren]

Interestingly the Beth Chatto Gardens is apparently selling this as 'Lilacina'. I'm not keen on rebranding cultivars as there are enough names already without causing extra confusion. Also I'm not convinced by the (admittedly poor) photograph. The spots don't look very distinct. In fact it looks rather more like your photograph of Emerald Cushion Blue, Luit.

http://www.bethchatto.co.uk/o-r/phlox/phlox-subulata-g-f-wilson.htm

Susan has taken lots of cuttings from our plant and hopefully the nursery where she works (Abi & Tom's Garden Plants) will be selling it in a year or two.