P^JONY. 87 



P^ONY. 



" Pseonia round each fiery ring unfurls, 

 Bares to the noon's bright blaze her sanguine curls." 



Of this genus of splendid plants there are known to be 

 about twenty species, and as many varieties. It is said that 

 the Pceonia officinalis rubra, or common double red Pseony, 

 was introduced into Antwerp upward of two centuries ago, 

 at which time it was sold at an enormous price. It has since 

 been highly esteemed in Europe and America, and is to be 

 found in all well-established gardens, exhibiting its vivid 

 crimson petals early in June. Many superb species have of 

 late years been brought from China, a few of which may be 

 noticed, with some others which are in very great repute. 



Pcvonia alba Chinensis is one of the finest of the herbaceous 

 sorts. The flowers are white, tinged with pink at the bot- 

 tom of the petals. 



P. edulis whitleji has also white flowers, which are very 

 large and splendid. 



P. edulis fragrans, is a fine large douTJle scarlet variety, 

 and produces flowers perfumed like the rose. 



P. humei has beautiful large double dark blush-coloured 

 flowers. 



P. paradoxa Jimbriata produces fringed double red flowers, 

 which are very beautiful. 



These are all hardy, and may be planted about four inches 

 deep in the garden, in October or November. The flowers 

 exhibit themselves to the best advantage when planted on a 

 bed that is elevated, and of a circular form. 



The following are half hardy and half shrubby; these 

 have been known to survive the winter by being well pro- 

 tected, but are kept much better in a green-house ; and they 

 also exhibit their flowers to greater advantage than when 

 exposed to the full sun. 



P. moutan Bankskii, or Tree Pseony, produces very large 

 double blush flowers in abundance, with feathered edges to 

 every petal. This variety is highly deserving of cultivation. 



