CHAP. XVII YILLA GAEDENINa 119 



beautiful and attractive, being blotched and marked in every con- 

 ceivable form and colour. A. Campbell, Alex. M'Millan, Annie 

 Howard, Aurora, Bessie Nash, Buttercup, Cleopatra, Colonel 

 Holmes, Dr. Holmes, Catherine Agnes, Fred. Perkins, Earl of 

 Beaconsfield, General Grant, George Stewart, Jean Watts, John 

 Gray, Laura, Mars, Mrs. Jamieson, Mrs. Goodwin, Mrs. Birkmyre, 

 Mrs. Barrie, Novelty, Queen of Yellows, Miss Bliss, Orestes, Rifle- 

 man, Robert Congleton, Rosy Morn, William Dickson, William 

 Murray. 



The Paeony. — Pajonies are divided into two sections, those 

 having herbaceous stems and deciduous foliage, and the moutan 

 or shrubby species, which are also deciduous. Both the original 

 species were introduced just about a hundred years ago, and have 

 since branched off into many forms, chiefly noticeable for the many 

 tints and shades which appear in their grand massive flowers. 

 Most of the best herbaceous varieties have sprung from a species 

 called albiflora, formerly known as P. edulis, because occasionally 

 its roots have been eaten ; but its value as an edible root is not 

 much, though I dare say in time of great scarcity, where society is 

 ia a primitive condition, many roots and herbs not very palatable 

 are useful to sustain life. But it is for their flowers that the 

 Pseonies are valued now. Unfortunately, like many things which 

 possess brilliancy of colour or nobility of aspect, the duration of 

 their period of beauty is very limited, and for that reason they are 

 not adapted for the parterre, where continuous gaiety is required. 

 But this craving after things possessing a perpetual habit, to my 

 mind, has a mischievous tendency, inasmuch as it brings all things 

 down to one monotonous level. The prettiest gardens are those 

 where a continual change is going on — where, as one flower is leav- 

 ing us, another equally beautiful is coming on ; and it is here that 

 the merits of the Paeony will be estimated at their full valiie. 



Planting in Groups. — To make the most of Pieonies, plant a 

 few in a group on some shelving hillside, where they are not over- 

 shadowed by anything else. The wild garden is just the place for 

 displaying their beauties. The large clusters of brilliant-tinted flowers 

 springing out of a mass of deep green foliage is one of the most 

 effective pictures of garden scenery, and they last just long enough to 

 satisfy without satiating. Though the Pneony is an old-fashioned 

 flower as regards several of its varieties and species, and used to be 

 common in old-fashioned gardens, and was an especial favourite 

 with cottagers, yet few are aware of the many beautiful varieties 

 which are now to be obtained from our best hardy plant nurseries. 

 Very little need be said about their cultivation, as they will thrive 

 in any good garden soil, rather light than heavy in texture, and of 



