THE BOOK OF THE PEONY 



country. Its large size and persistent growth, 

 the vivid red colour of its blooms and its notice- 

 ably unpleasant odour all serve to impress its per- 

 sonality on the observer. For sentimental reasons 

 and because it is one of the parents of some of 

 the wonderfully beautiful peonies of to-day, this 

 peony is entitled to a place in every garden. 



Besides this old red " piney " there are several 

 other fine kinds of the officinalis species that are 

 deserving of selection. Four particularly striking 

 varieties are easily obtainable and share with the 

 rubra plena the merit of blooming in May. They 

 are: 



P. OFFICINALIS ALBA PLENA, which has doublc white 

 flowers. The buds are pink when they ap- 

 pear, but fade to white as the flower opens. 



P. OFFICINALIS ROSEA PLENA, which has f ull flowers 

 of bright rose. 



P. OFFICINALIS LOBATA.^ This peonj has single 

 flowers of an unusual colour — a glorious 

 orange scarlet. 



P. OFFICINALIS LA NEGREssE, which has full, double, 

 rich, dark maroon blooms. 



^ At the present time an animated controversy is 

 going on in England as to the proper classification of 

 lobata. There is no controversy as to the beauty of the 

 flower, 



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