PENTLANDIA— PEONY. 



253 



PENTLANDIA. 

 See TJrceolina miniata, Page 298. 



PEONY. 

 PcBonia. 



The Peony has few rivals in the herbaceous border, 

 when well treated, which, as is the case with many other 

 strong, noble characters, is not always done. Because it- 

 is strong, it is generally supposed that it will feed and 

 care for itself. The reverse is the case, generally, with 

 strong growing plants. The stronger they are the more 

 food they require to bring out their full development. 

 A more neglected plant is not to be found in our gardens 

 than the Peony. It is put anywhere, without regard to 

 its necessities, in the shade, in the grass, or so near the 

 path that it gets trampled under foot. In spite of such 

 treatment it will flower. While the Peony will flower 

 under unfavorable circumstances, it should have a deep, 

 lively loam, rich when the plants are set, and kept so 

 ever after. The ground should be mulched in summer 

 to keep the roots moist, and some coarse litter should be 

 thrown over the plant in winter to prevent severe freez- 

 ing, as well as alternate freezing and thawing. The soil 

 should be well worked about the plants, the same as for 

 the Eose. With such treatment, the plants, from a dis- 

 tance, will seem all flower, instead of presenting an occa- 

 sional one. 



Shrubby Peonies. — This genus is divided into 

 two distinct classes, Shrubby and Herbaceous, of which 

 there are several species, and a large number of varieties. 

 The shrubby species and varieties are usually propagated 

 by division, or layers ; but they may also be grafted on 

 the roots of the herbaceous sorts, or struck from cut- 

 tings. The grafting may be done any time from the 

 beginning of September until the first of March. Select 

 good strong tubers of the herbaceous sorts, and take off 



