| ii, We si ks Me 
a regularity of form, and:richness of colouring, which pre- 
sent an admirable contrast with their dark shining green 
leaves, and render them the greatest ornaments of a room or 
the Green-house. They need less protection than almost any 
other Green-nouse plants, and four of them, which were left 
in the open ground during the winter of 1821, and which were 
protected merely by a hot-bed frame, received no injury, al- 
though the ground in the frame was frozen to the depth of 
five inches. 
- PEONIA MOUTAN, or Tree Peony. 
In the gardens of China, they cultivate 240 varieties of 
this splendid pliant, some of which are sold as high as a hun- 
dred ounces of gold; and in so much esteem is it held by | 
them, that it is there called “the King of Flowers.” During 
the months of March‘and April, this plant appears in its most 
magnificent garb, and its flowers, which are from eighteen 
inches to two feet in circumference, form, what is so rarely 
met with, a combination of splendour, delicacy, and fra- 
erance. It is yet a rare plant, having been but recently ine | 
troduced to this country; but, as it is one of the hardiest 
Green-house plants, it is very probable it may ultimately be 
found to stand our winters in the open air. 
‘Besides the above we are indebted to China for three 
splendid Herbaceous Pzonies, viz.— | 
Paonia sinensis Whitleii, with double white, of sulphureous 
yellow flowers, afterwards changing to white, and whose ex- 
ternal petals are generally tinged with red; the stems are 
usually three feet high, with from two to three flowers:on 
each. 
Peonia Humei, with very large double crimson flowers, 
of brilliant appearance, and a pleasant odour: flower stems 
also grow to the height of three feet. 
Paonia fragrans, with rose coloured sweet scented flowers; 
this viooms the {atest of all, and the flowers are generally in 
cymes of two or three on a stem. oie 
’ 
PYRUS JAPONICA, or Scarlet Flowering Japan Apple: 
Tais is also a very ‘lesirable plant; its flowers, which are 
produced in ciusters during most of the winter season, are 
t the most briliiant scarlet, and are succeeded by small 
