P^EONIA. 69 



all of which are desirable for the border, and perfectly hardy, 

 standing one winter without protection. Most of the genus is 

 herbaceous. P. Moutan, and its varieties, are shrubby ; their 

 roots are fleshy, but not so distinctly tuberous as most of the 

 herbaceous species. All require nearly the same treatment. 

 The time for dividing the herbaceous sorts is in September or 

 October; the whole stool should be taken up. With a sharp 

 knife it may be divided into as many pieces as there are tubers 

 with buds ; it is necessary that a bud be preserved on each 

 tuber. At this season of the year the Peony is in a dormant 

 state ; the buds are just beginning to show themselves, and, if 

 delayed long after the first of October, the new fibres begin to 

 push, and the plant will be less likely to flower the coming 

 spring. The Peony roots should not be disturbed in the 

 spring, unless it be very early, as it does not succeed well 

 when transplanted at that season, without a ball of earth 

 adhering to the roots. The tubers should be planted in a 

 deep, rich, light, garden soil ; the crown, or bud, should be 

 placed three inches below the surface. The species of the 

 Peony have been so much changed by the florist, that it is dif- 

 ficult to draw the line of botanical distinction with any degree 

 of accuracy; and, for floral purposes, it is not necessary. 



Pfsony officinalUs. This is the old Double Crimson Peony, 

 familiar with every one as a household friend. When first 

 introduced into Antwerp, two hundred and fifty years ago, the 

 plant sold for twelve crowns, a large sum for those days. 



The varieties of this species are P. rosea with rose, P. 

 blanda with blush, P. rulra with red, P. carnesens with 

 flesh-colored, P. allicans with white, flowers. This class of 

 Peonies flower the last of May and the first of June. 



P. tenufolia, or fennel-leaved, with fine leaves like fennel ; 

 in flower the first of May; it is of a deep crimson color, and, 

 when in bud, very beautiful. There is a double variety of this 

 sort. 



P. hybrida is a hybrid between the last and P. decora, and 

 very pretty ; flower deep red. 



