70 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



P. paradoxa is a double variety, or species with purplish red 

 flowers ; blooms last of May. 



P. decora, grevilli, and corallina, have large, single flowers, 

 purplish red and red ; in bloom the middle of May. 



P. Siberica is one of the finest species; the flowers are sin- 

 gle, but in clusters, and very showy ; white, shaded with pink; 

 blooms 1st of June. 



P. alba flora, P. Tartarica, and other Chinese and Tartarian 

 sorts, are the parents, probably, of a splendid race of late flow- 

 ering Peonies, denominated the Chinese. They are in bloom 

 about the middle of June. To enumerate and describe all 

 would occupy too much space. P. Whitleji has large double 

 white flowers. P. Humeii, double lilac-red. P. rosea has large 

 double rose-colored ; rather later than the two last. P. Reeve- 

 sii, semi-double purple. P. Pottsii, semi-double lilac-rose. 

 These are some of the more common sorts, but all beautiful. 



Among those of the more recently introduced sorts, are P. 

 sulphurea, with pale yellow flowers. P. Duchess de Nemours, 

 with the broad exterior petals a blush white, while the centre 

 is filled up with numerous fine petals of a sulphur color ; quite 

 a novelty. P. prolif era-tricolor . P. triumphans. P. grandi- 

 flora carnea. P. festiva. P. plenissama variegata. Many 

 other new varieties might be named, all desirable for the bor- 

 der, or to be planted out in a quarter by themselves. 



PcBony Moutan, or the Tree Peony, and its varieties, are 

 magnificent plants, with flowers of various shades of red, lilac, 

 light purple and white, measuring from four to eight inches in 

 diameter, all of easy culture ; very hardy, requiring but little 

 protection. The variety Banksice is one of the most common 

 kinds. I have had a plant of this with from seventy to eighty 

 flowers upon it at one time, presenting a splendid sight. The 

 flowers vary on the same bush : some of them are very double, 

 of a light pink color, fading, as they open, to a faint blush, or 

 white towards the edges, and at the base deepening to a pur- 

 plish red ; others are semi-double. Some flowers will be of a 

 deeper pink; variations take place also in the size of the 



