PAEONIA 



(From the classic Greek name paionia, named for Paion, the physician of the gods) 



Ranunculacea 



27. Paeonia moutan, vars. {P. arhorea, vars.) 



English Names: Tree peony, Chinese tree, Botan (/a^aw), Meutang 

 (meaning King of Flowers, China) 



HORTICULTURAL VARIETIES MAY 



TYPE FROM CHINA 



BEAUTIFUL,large, single or double, slightly fragrant flowers often eight 

 to ten inches across, ranging in color from white to deep crimson, 

 borne on much-branched, somewhat woody stems from three to six feet 

 high. Foliage thick, shiny 

 green, very handsome, and 

 persistent. Very fine in 

 isolated clumps in the her- 

 baceous border, or among 

 shrubbery. Undoubtedly 

 the most splendid of the 

 Peonies, though some- 

 what harder to grow than 

 the other species. Good 

 also for cutting. 



Strictly a shrub rather 

 than a herbaceous peren- 

 nial, and mostly quite 

 hardy. Does well in sun, 

 though blooming longer 

 in partial shade. In plant- 

 ing the soil should be dug 

 to a depth of two or more 

 feet, with a large quantity 

 of well-rotted horse ma- 

 nure or cow manure 

 worked in at the bottom. 

 Fill with soft, rich loam 

 mixed in equal quantities 

 with leaf mold. The roots 

 should not come in direct 

 contact with the manure. Peonies should be liberally watered at all times, 



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