THE TREE PEONY 



Morris and the Earl of Sandwich both took a 

 great interest in the tree peony and produced 

 several distinct sorts from the Papaveracea. 



In 1860 the English gardens were chiefly sup- 

 plied by French growers. In the English maga- 

 zines of the eighties there are references to " Whit- 

 sun roses," which was the popular name by which 

 the tree peony was then known to the trade. 



For some time past, the English appear to 

 have wanted a blue peony above all others. In 

 about 1875 this colour is referred to as being 

 the most highly desired. In 1 880, Robert Fortune 

 was commissioned by the Royal Horticultural 

 Society to find a blue peony. After much search- 

 ing in China, he succeeded in finding a moutan 

 with lilac flowers — which seems to be the nearest 

 to the ideal yet realized. 



About 1870 an English nurseryman collected 

 seeds of all the varieties in commerce and started 

 propagation of tree peonies. These plants have 

 gradually been grown by more and more persons. 

 In 1890 it was said that the sorts offered could be 

 counted by the hundreds. At the present time 

 English growers list no less than one hundred and 

 ten different kinds. 



201 



