It is very generally cultivated, and flourishes in the province 

 of Lo-Yang. In England there are but two species of the 

 shrubby Paeony, — that which is here figured and P.papavera- 

 cea, which has a large single flower, and was introduced by 

 Sir Abraham Hume. Of P. Moutan a variety has been ob- 

 tained which is named P. Moutan rosea: it differs in the 

 flowers, which are of a somewhat darker red. Notwithstand- 

 ing the exertions of many botanists who have sent collectors 

 to China, numerous varieties of this beautiful shrub have not 

 yet been obtained. These varieties are frequently depicted by 

 the Chinese in various ornamental branches of art, as double 

 flowers in the different colours of pink, purple, crimson, yellow, 

 and white ; but the jealousy which the Chinese have ever en- 

 tertained towards the English, and indeed towards foreigners 

 generally, has hitherto frustrated the arduous exertions of 

 botanists to obtain these splendid ornaments. The cunning and 

 duplicity of the Chinese are such, that many specimens which 

 have been imported as new, have proved on flowering to be 

 such only as were already possessed by this country. There 

 ai'e, however, some imported plants of this shrub having the ap- 

 pearance of novelty now in the possession of the Horticultural 

 Society, who have with much zeal endeavoured to obtain some 

 of the valuable incognita of that country. The Mouta7i may 

 truly be accounted one of the most ornamental shrubs in 

 our gardens : it is sufficiently hardy to stand the winters of 

 this country. The spring of the year, when it puts forth its 

 shoots, is the time it is susceptible of injury from the Aveather, 

 when the covering of a mat at night will be found a sufficient 

 guard. The flowers, which appear during the months of May 

 and June, give splendour to the shrub, not only by their indi- 

 vidual beauty, but by their great profusion. 



This shrub thrives best in a situation somewhat sheltered, 

 and in earth composed of a rich loam, rotten leaves, and a 

 small portion of sand. It is propagated by laying, early in the 

 spring ; and in the autumn of the following year the layers 

 may be taken off" and potted. If these have a little protection 

 by frames during the succeeding winter, and are kept one 

 year in pots, they will become fine established plants, and may 

 with safety be planted in the shrubbery or pleasure-ground. 



This plant was introduced by the late Sir Joseph 13anks in 

 1794. 



