118 PLANNING AND PLANTING 



Peonies begin to do their real blooming the 

 third year after planting, and after the eighth 

 year they may be taken up in the early fall, divided 

 ,and replanted. 



When you cut the flowers for bouquets or for 

 .shipment, do not wait until they come into full 

 bloom. They should 'be cut in the bud just when 

 the real color of the flower first begins to show. 



Festiva Maxima is probably the outstanding 

 white, although originated in 1851. In the lati- 

 tude of Philadelphia it is usually in bloom for 

 Memorial Day. The white bomb-like flowers, 

 slightly tipped with carmine, may be had on stems 

 all of three feet in length by proper disbudding. 



Another unusual variety is known as Golden 

 Harvest, introduced in 1900. In this striking 

 variety the outside or guard petals are a lovely 

 blush-pink, the center a beautiful light creamy 

 sulphur, tipped with a few petals of white and 

 crimson. This Peony combines scintillations of 

 cream, gold, white, pink, peach, salmon and 

 .apricot. This variety also is in bloom at about 

 Memorial Day. 



Felix Crousse is a rich, brilliant, dazzling ruby- 

 red, blooming somewhat later in the season than 

 the two before mentioned. This is an 1881 intro- 

 duction, and has the distinction of being a good 

 red Peony that is a self-color and does not turn to 

 an ugly bluish tint as the flower matures. 



