Cicely Mary Barker's Phlox Flower Fairy

August in the garden!
  Now the cheerful Phlox
Makes one think of country-girls
  Fresh in summer frocks.

  The you see magenta
  Here is lovely white,
Mauve, and pink, and cherry-red   
  Such a pleasant site!

  Smiling little fairy
  Climbing up the stem,
Tell us which is prettiest?
  She says, "All of them!"

This is a group of hardy and tender plants, which are native of North America. The name Phlox means flame, in regard to the bright colors of the blooms. These plants are great for borders, rock gardens and flowerbeds. The annual kinds can be grown in a greenhouse for spring and winter bloom. They are also useful for cutting their flowers.

Long-leaved phlox was used medicinally by several native tribes, the Havasupai, Okanagan-Colville, the Paiute, the Shoshoni and Washo Indians among others. A decoction of pounded roots was rubbed all over the body for colds or aches, it was also given to babies with stomachaches. An infusion of the whole plant was given to "anemic" children. An infusion of mashed roots was taken for diarrhea. A decoction of the entire plant was taken for stomach disorders, and an infusion of roots was given to children for stomachaches. Externally, a decoction of leaves was put on boils, and an infusion or decoction of roots was used as an eyewash.