Herbaceous Plants 



285 



bouquets and arranging with all kinds of flowers. It is also 

 used to produce a mist-like effect in flower borders. The 

 plant is perfectly hardy in open, rather dry places. The 

 scientific name means gypsum-loving, because it likes cal- 

 careous soils. Other species, G. cerastioides and G. repens, 

 are excellent for rock work. 



Fig. 163. — Paeonia Albiflora. 



Peony iPceonia), Fig. 163. — The peonies belong to two 

 distinct groups, the shrubby or tree peonies and the her- 

 baceous species. The tree peony (P. moiUan) produces a 

 woody stem which annually increases until the plant attains 

 a height of 3 or 4 feet. The flowers are more delicately 

 shaded than the herbaceous varieties. Although considered 

 hardy, the plants are benefited by a wrapping of rye straw 

 or a covering of pine boughs. The herbaceous peonies 



