PAEONIA 



(From the classic Greek name paionia, named for Pa 

 Ranunculacea 



the physician of the gods) 



34. Paeonia (albiflora hybrids) vars. {P. sinensis vars.) 

 English Names: Herbaceous peony, Late flowering or Chinese peony. 



CHINA AND HORTICULTURAL VARIETIES LATE MAY TO LATE JUNE 



BEAUTIFUL, large, single or double fragrant flowers, four to six inches 

 across, in shades varying from pure white to crimson and mahogany, 

 and parti-colored, borne sometimes two to five on a stem on upright leafy 

 stems, often branching, 

 two to four feet high. 

 Leaves pointed-oval, deep 

 glossy green with red vein- 

 ings, very handsome, and 

 persistent. One of the 

 very best plants for the 

 herbaceous border on ac- 

 count of its hardiness 

 and splendid trim-foliage 

 eflTect throughout the 

 season, as well as for its 

 very lovely flowers. Ex- 

 cellent also for the front 

 of shrubbery beds and for 

 cutting. 



A perfectly hardy 

 perennial of easy culture, 

 in sun or partial shade. 

 In planting the soil should 

 be dug to a depth of two 

 or more feet, with a large 

 quantity of well-rotted 

 horse or cow manure 

 worked in at the bottom. 

 Fill with soft, rich loam 

 mixed in equal quantities 

 with leaf mold. The roots should be set carefully, with the crowns between 

 two and three inches below the surface of the ground, and should not 

 come in direct contact with the manure. Peonies should be liberally 



166 



