DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 303. 
PZONIA.—Prony. 
(From Peon, an eminent physician of antiquity J 
This interesting genus contains many magnificent flow- 
ering plants, embracing more than one hundred varieties 
and species, all of which are desirable for the border, and 
perfectly hardy, standing over winter without protection. 
Most of the genus are herbaceous. P. Moutan, and its va- 
rieties, are shrubby; their roots are fleshy, but not so 
distinctly tuberous as those of the herbaceous species. 
All require nearly the same treatment. The time for di- 
viding the herbaceous sorts is in September or October ; 
the whole stool should be taken up. With a sharp knife 
it may be divided into as many pieces as there are tubers 
with buds; it is necessary that a bud be preserved on 
each tuber. At this season of the year the Peony is in a 
dormant state; the buds are just beginning to show them- 
selves, and, if delayed long after the first of October, the 
new fibres begin to push, and the plant will be less likely 
to flower the coming spring. The Peony should not be 
disturbed in the spring, unless it be very early, as it does 
not succeed well when transplanted at that season, without 
a ball of earth adhering to the roots. The tubers should 
be planted in a deep, rich, light, garden soil; the crown, 
or bud, should be placed three inches below the surface. 
The species of the Peony have been so much changed by 
the florist, that it is difficult to draw the line of botanical 
distinction with any degree of accuracy; and, for floral 
purposes, it is not necessary. 
Peénia officindlis—This is the old Double Crimson 
Peony, familiar to every one as a household friend. 
When first introduced into Antwerp, two hundred and 
fifty. years ago, the plant sold for twelve crowns,—a large 
sum for those days. 
The varieties of this species are P. rosa, with rose; P. 
blanda, with blush; P. rubra, with red; P. carneus, 
