THE BOOK OF THE PEONY 



used with other plants, will increase the sum of 

 our happiness by lengthening the period of bloom 

 still further. 



In addition to flowering at the desired time 

 all of the varieties suggested in this chapter for 

 the purpose of extending the season have distinct 

 and attractive qualities of their own. 



The following list gives the approximate order 

 of bloom of the different kinds of peonies desir- 

 able for the garden.^ The order, of course, will 

 vary somewhat on account of different conditions 

 of soil, exposure and weather. 



( 1 ) P. tenuif olia — with fern-like foliage. 



(2) P. Wittmaniana and Wittmaniana hybrids — 



little known but very beautiful. 



(3) P. officinalis (rubra and other varieties) — the 



peony of our grandmothers' gardens. 



(4) P. suffruticosa or P. moutan — the tree peony. 



(5) P. lutea — a pure yellow species. 



(6) P. albiflora or sinensis — Chinese peonies. 



Early varieties. 

 Midseason varieties. 

 Late varieties. 



(1) First to bloom in the old-fashioned gar- 

 dens was P. tenuifolia, known in England as the 



^ See colour plates and illustrations in this and the 

 next chapter for the six species in the list. 



106 



