THE BOOK OF THE PEONY 



sent out his latest peony under the name of " Vic- 

 toire de la Marne," we have a long and entertain- 

 ing story, of both horticultural and human 

 interest. 



For greater convenience and clearness I have 

 set out in tabular form some of the facts one 

 should have in mind in order to read without con- 

 fusion the complete history of the " peony " — 

 which generic name includes several species, each 

 with a separate record. 



Tabulation of Principal, Species of Peonies 

 I. Herbaceous Peonies 



These are bushy plants two to four and one- 

 half feet high that die down to the ground in 

 the Autumn. When the word " peonies " is 

 used reference generally is made to herbaceous 

 peonies (in distinction to tree peonies). 

 1. P. OFFICINALIS {of the apotJiecaries' offices or 

 shops — used for medicinal purposfes) — see 

 colour plate — the red single or double peony 

 of old-fashioned gardens. White single and 

 double varieties have also been known for 

 over three hundred years. 

 This species is a native of southern Europe and 

 is the peony of mythology and of Greek and 

 Latin literature. It is grown to some extent 

 in gardens now. This species gave the genus 

 its name. 



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