^ The Scents of Early Summer {%£ 



1 the rose of spring-time.' Unlike so many other perennials 

 the peony has, alas ! no second period of blooming during 

 the same season, but the dazzling beauty of its flowers 

 more than compensates for the comparatively brief time 

 during which it is in its splendour. How seldom one sees 

 the very early flowering P. tenuifolia, which our grand- 

 mothers called the Adonis peony. It came originally from 

 the Caucasus. Its fern-like leaves are very finely cut, and 

 the glorious flower is a blood-red colour, not found in any 

 other peony. The plant is only 18 inches high, but the 

 flower is very striking at a time when red is a scarce colour 

 in the garden. After its blooming period is over P. tenui- 

 folia dies right down and gives no sign of life till the 

 following spring. In this it differs from all the other 

 species, for peony foliage as a rule is a decorative feature 

 in the garden throughout the summer and early autumn. 

 Why irises are not more grown on the dry sun-baked 

 waste parts to be found in so many gardens, especially in 

 the south of England, it is difficult to understand. Given 

 a very dry position and ample sunshine they will flower 

 magnificently in the poorest soil. They are the only 

 flowers I know which will bloom profusely planted along 

 the foot of a privet hedge. We have a whole row planted 

 almost on top of the privet roots, and they give a wealth 

 of bloom, so that at least while they are in flower that 

 ugly hedge is bearable ! In fact, the drier the soil and the 

 more sun-baking their rhizomatous roots get the better 

 they flower. Theoretically they need lime, but on the 

 sandiest soils devoid of lime the majority of them flourish 

 exceedingly. There are few of the lovelier flowers which 

 require so little attention and which have so manv other 

 attractive qualities. They are nearly all perfectly hardy, 



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