This is the first comprehensive natural history of the genus phlox, whose 61 species of the diminutive, predominantly pink and white flowers can be found throughout North America and parts of Mexico. Locklear, a public horticulturist living in Nebraska, traveled widely over a ten-year period studying the myriad species in their natural environments. He offers a fascinating account of the botanical and horticultural history of phlox before devoting the bulk of the text to species accounts. From Phlox aculeata (Payette phlox), which grows along Idaho's Snake River Canyon, to the Phlox woodhousei (Mogollon phlox) of the Colorado plateau, all 61 varieties are profiled in detail with botanical descriptions, geographic range, preferred environment, relationships to other plants in the region, natural history notes, and cultivation information. 73 high-quality color plates are provided along with phlox lists by state and province, a glossary, and lengthy bibliography. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)