95 



disappeared, but in its place there will be the matured indi- 

 viduality of the plants themselves, with their strong stems, broad 

 leaves, and gigantic blossoms. It is a great point in favour of 

 the plants that the flowers are carried high above the leaves on 

 long, vigorous stalks. Every bloom is boldly displayed. In this 

 respect the Paeony scores over its late companion of the flower 

 garden, the Cactus Dahlia, which shyly hides its flowers among 

 the leaves unless well pruned. The Paeony will want neither 

 staking nor pruning to cause it to play its part effectively. It is 

 not a coy, clinging plant. It is sturdy and self-supporting, and 

 it holds its head up with a sort of regal pride. One might call 

 it a "state" plant a figure of courts and levees, where proud 

 and noble figures are seen. 



The modern garden Paeony is divided into two great classes 

 the Herbaceous and the Tree. The difference is mainly in habit, 

 and does not extend to character of bloom, as it does in Roses. 

 Herbaceous and Tree Paeonies might be mixed in a group without 

 the ordinary observer being able to distinguish them, whereas he 

 could separate Tea and hybrid Perpetual Roses with ease. The 

 Herbaceous Paeony loses its leaves and stems in the autumn, dying 

 quite away to the root, like a Michaelmas Daisy, and growing 

 again from buds on the underground rootstock in the following 

 spring. The Tree Paeony does not do this. Its stems are harder 

 and more woody, and they do not decay every year. It is true 

 that it generally loses its leaves, so that it cannot be described as 

 an evergreen. It might be designated as a deciduous (that is, 

 leaf-losing) shrub, like a flowering Currant or a Lilac. Both 

 classes have very large and beautiful flowers. 



The first requirement of Paeonies is a deep, rich soil, and the 

 second abundance of room. They rarely show their true character 

 in poor, thin, dry ground. It is true that they will grow and flower, 

 but they will not spread into great, broad clumps, and throw up 

 large flowers by the dozen. The grower should aim at excellence, 



