THE TREE PEONY 



The tree peonies grown in China were white, 

 pink, red, lilac and, it is stated by some writers, 

 yellow. The wish for a yellow peony has been 

 present in the heart of man for many hundred 

 years. So great was the desire of the Chinese 

 for this colour that they employed many schemes 

 to procure it : dyes were poured on the roots and 

 white flowers were wrapped in yellow paper with 

 the hope that the petals would take up the colour. 



Peonies were grown in the natural shape of 

 bushes, or were trained on espaliers in various 

 designs. Through careful retarding or forcing, 

 they were made to bloom in summer and autumn 

 as well as in the spring. 



In the art and literature of China the tree 

 peony has held a conspicuous place. In ceramics, 

 textile and pictorial art and in poetry and prose 

 the peony was an honoured motive or subject. 

 The beauty of the colour and form of the flower 

 has during many centuries made an irresistible 

 appeal to the most cultured inhabitants of the 

 Flowery Kingdom. 



In Chinese art, each of the twelve months of 

 the year was represented by a flower — plum for 

 January, peach for February, tree peony for 



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