HERBACEOUS PEONIES. 



[Published in Rural Life, June, 1879.'] 



For nearly a month our garden borders have been enlivened with the 

 beautiful and showy blooms of the Herbaceous Paeony. Planted among 

 conifers, flowering shrubs and ornamental trees, their gay-colored flowers 

 produce a charming effect. On our grounds we have a border two hundred 

 feet in length, and fifteen feet in width, which contains a choice collection 

 of ornamental trees, conifers, shrubs, roses, paeonies and hardy border plants. 

 The tall-growing trees and evergreens form the background, the shrubs and 

 trees of medium size come next, with the paeonies, roses and border plants 

 in the foreground. The assortments of paeonies when in flower is un- 

 doubtedly the most interesting feature of the collection. 



On our nursery grounds a large circular bed about twenty feet in diame- 

 ter, planted with the most showy and distinct varieties, has during these 

 beautiful June days attracted great attention. It is surprising that so noble 

 a flower, almost rivaling the rose in brillancy of color and perfection of 

 bloom, and the*Rhododendron in stately growth, should be so neglected. 

 Amateurs seems to have entirely lost sight of the many improved varieties 

 introduced within the last few years, and our finest gardens, perfect in other 

 respects, are singularly deficient in specimens of the newer kinds. In the 

 hope of popularizing to some extent this valuable class of plants, I will 

 briefly refer to their many desirable characteristics of growth and flower, and 

 at the same time furnish the names of a few choice sorts. 



The first point in their favor is hardiness. It may be truly said of them 

 that they are " hardy as an oak." In the severest climates the plants 

 require no other protection than that which they afford themselves. Then 

 their vigorous habit and healthy growth, freedom from all diseases and 

 insects, are important arguments in favor of their cultivation. Growers of 

 roses know well that their flowers are obtained by great vigilance and care. 

 Not so with the Paeony, which, when once planted, all is done. Each suc- 

 ceeding year adds to their size and beauty. The foliage is rich and glossy 

 and of a beautiful deep-green color, thus rendering the plants very orna- 

 mental even when out of flower. 



The newer varieties produce very large, handsome, regularly- formed cup- 

 ped blooms, resembling large roses. No other flower is so well adapted 

 for large, showy bouquets. The Paeony may be planted either singly on the 

 lawn or in borders. Where the lawn is extensive a large bed makes a grand 

 show, almost equal to a bed of Rhododendrons. The following are six of 

 the best and most distinct kinds : 



Modeste Deep rose, very large, cupped like a rose. 



Delachii Dark purplish crimson ; the best dark variety. 



Ambroise Versehaffelt Purplish crimson, very full; fragrant. 



Papillionacea White, superb large flower. 



