304 BRECK S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



with flesh-colored ; P. albicans^ with white flowers ; and 

 many others. This class of Peonies flower the last of 

 May and the first of June. 



P. tenuifolia, or Fennel-leaved, with fine leaves like fen- 

 nel ; in flower the first of May ; it is of a deep-crimson 

 color, and, when in bud, very beautiful. There is a dou- 

 ble variety of this sort. 



P. albiflorac — The White-flowered or Chinese Peony, 

 is the parent of many fine varieties, such as P. Sibirica 

 and F. Whitleyi, with white flowers ; P. Tartarica, flesh- 

 colored ; -P. ITmnei, lilac-red ; P. Heevesii, lilac-rose ; P. 

 Pottsii^ crimson, all old varieties. After these come a 

 succession of splendid sorts, viz. : P. prolifera tricolor ; 

 flowers in clusters, ground petals pure white, with a glo- 

 bular mass of small yellow petals in the center with the 

 crimson stigmas protruding ; P. festiva^ large, full, double 

 pure white flowers, delicately striped or touched with pur- 

 ple ; P. sulphurea^ with large petals of a light sulphur 

 color; Duchesse de N'emours^ with a multitude of other 

 beautiful varieties. 



P. paradoxal — A purplish-red species from the south 

 of Europe, which has produced several varieties, such as 

 P. Grevillei^ P. compacta^ P. fmbriata^ etc. P. decora 

 and P. corallina^ are species with large, single, purphsh- 

 red and red flowers. 



P. Moutan, or the Tree Peony and its varieties, are 

 magnificent plants, with flowers of various shades of red, 

 lilac, light and dark-purple, and white, measuring from 

 six to eight inches in diameter ; all are of easy culture, 

 very hardy, requiring but little protection. The variety 

 Banksii^ 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 will be very double, 



