78 MVERT WOMAN HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER. 



Herbaceous Pmonies. 



The common red Pseony, or, as it is usually called in the old-fashioned 

 parlance among those of an older generation, Piny, used to grow in 

 every country garden ; its large and brilliant red flowers rendering it 

 very conspicuous, and delighting all lovers of gorgeous colorings. Well 

 do I remember i\\e furore caused among amateur florists by the intro- 

 duction of a white Pffiony, and every one must have a root of it, to 

 contrast with their flery-red flowers. 



Then the fragrant pink variety was introduced and much admired ; 

 and for many years no other novelty appeared in their ranks ; but the 

 English and French florists were busily engaged in cultivating these 

 flowers, and now over one hundred varieties are given in the catalogues, 

 and described as distinct in shape, hue, time of flowering, etc. 



The Pseony is very showy when planted by itself, yet when grown en 

 masse, the effect is truly magniflcent. The darkest shades should be 

 arranged in the center of the bed, and the colors shaded out to pure 

 white ; thus planted, a beautiful show can be obtained. 



Alba Plenaia, very double flower, white. 



Whitleyi, older variety, very fragrant, white with yellow center. 



Virginalis, of the purest white. 



Baron Eothschild, flower large, pale rose. 



Queen Victoria, rose color. 



Amabilis, outer petals rose color, and the inner a delicate, creamy white. 



Festiva, white, shaded to carmine red in the center. 



Albicans Plena, rosy pink, and blooms early and late 



Maiden's Blush, fine and large, bright pink. 



Duchesse d'Orleans, outside petals violet-rose, and deep salmon bufi' 

 at the center. 



Pomponia, of a purplish pink, with salmon colored center 



Pattsii, very rich, darkest purplish crimson. 



Duchesse de Nemours, rosy lilac. 



Tenuifolia, funnel-shaped leaves, flowers deep crimson 



Pompadoura, dark crimson, inner petals delicately cut. 



Eubra Striata, richest rosy crimson. 



The Moutan or Tree Pseonies are very beautiful ; they are perfectly 

 hardy, excepting in northern New England, where, to bloom in perfec- 

 tion, they should be covered with a barrel filled with leaves. They do 

 not die down to the roots every winter, and are more properly called shrubs. 



