Center Point, Iowa 
27 
Peonies 
The herbaceous peonies have long been great favorites among hardy plants, but 
the wonderful improvements wrought by the plant breeder in recent years make them 
far more popular than ever. Many of the improved varieties rival the finest roses in 
fragrance and coloring, besides blooming much earlier and being much larger. 
Peonies do best in good, rich deep soil and a sunny situation, although they do 
well in partial shade. They are hardy in the far north and west, requiring no protec- 
tion. Once planted and started they need but little care. The blooms are often small 
or even single the first year after planting, but increase in size and beauty each year. 
They should be planted in September or October if possible, but may be planted in the 
spring. Plant about two inches below the surface in deeply worked, rich soil. If 
planted in the spring they may not bloom until the next spring. We offer the follow- 
ing list of choice varieties at reasonable prices. If wanted in large quantities, please 
write for prices. 
Alba Sulpliurea — White with yellow center. 
A fine flower and favorite. 
Festiva Maxima — A large ball of white 
with center petals dashed with red; an 
early bloomer and splendid keeper. In 
great demand for cut flowers, and is 
very popular everywhere. One of the 
very best peonies known. 
Fragrant* — A bright deep rose color, very 
large and double; extremely fragrant 
and free blooming. A splendid variety. 
Francois Ortegat — A very brilliant crim- 
son, producing a blaze of splendor, al- 
most purple. It is a vigorous and strik- 
ing flower, with a delightful spicy fra- 
grance. No collection is complete with- 
out it. 
Grandiftorn Rosa— Pink and early. The 
outer and center petals are red; slightly 
fragrant. A prolific bloomer; robust and 
vigorous. 
<; r jiii ill flora Rubra — One of the latest and 
best. Flowers immense, very dark red 
with bright yellow stamens in center; 
often only semi-double on young plants. 
L'Esuearanee — A beautiful rose-pink, fra- 
grant, and an early bloomer; very fine 
for cut flowers. One of the best. 
Mnguinca — Large, delicate and fragrant; 
red, turning to pink. 
Marie Lemolne — This flower fills all the 
requirements we demand of our favor- 
ites. It is as sweet as a rose. It opens 
slightly yellow, then fades to purest 
white. 
Officinalis Rubra — The old-fashioned bright 
red, very early flowering kind. They 
are always out for Decoration. 
l'ottsit — A splendid flower; deep crimson 
with bright yellow center. One of the 
earliest. 
Reeves — An immense flower and free 
bloomer; light rosy pink, center petals 
dashed with red. 
Rubra Triunnihans — Fragrant flowers of 
brilliant crimson. It does not bloom as 
soon as some others, the plants seem to 
require age, but are worth waiting for. 
