HERBACEOUS PLANTS 151 



people off them. It is really impossible to make a 

 successful selection without you are in constant 

 touch with them throughout the year, and as there 

 are so many good things among them I am afraid 

 the lists of valuable varieties to grow are still very 

 long, they however include nothing but those which 

 have been tried and proved useful for the purposes 

 of " British Floral Decoration," and as far as space 

 admits should all be found in every herbaceous 

 border. 



PEONIES 



If one quietly contemplates the glorious colour, 

 size, and form of these magnificent hardy herbs one 

 cannot but marvel at the comparative few that one 

 finds in gardens. 



In common with many other splendid herbaceous 

 plants they are neglected for other things which 

 have no pretence to half their charm. In Japan 

 and France their claims have been fully recognised 

 for many years, and there is no doubt that one day 

 England, with her usual tardiness, will appreciate 

 their beauty. 



They require very little care or attention, and 

 increase in size every year. They will grow in prac- 

 tically any soil, but if very light it should have a 



