PLANTING AND CARE OF ORNAMENTALS 
17 
PEONY 
Peonies can be planted either in the fall or 
spring. They are vigorous, hardy, and thrive 
evenrwhere, except in the low altitudes of the 
Gulf States and southern California. 
The ground should be spaded deep, tvpo 
feet if practicable. Fertile soil is prefera- 
ble, though not necessary for satisfactory 
results. Set the crown three inches below 
the surface of the ground. If planted in 
the fall, mulch with four or five inches of 
fine earth and leaves, straw, or coarse stable 
manure. It is advisable to give the ground 
immediately around the plant a dressing of 
manure every winter. The rough trash should 
be raked off in the spring. 
Every seven or eight years it is advisable 
to dig them up and replant them. Cut the 
roots into two or more parts with a sharp 
knife. Each part should have three to five 
eyes. Reset in September or October as de- 
scribed above. 
When planting in mass for color effect, set eighteen to thirty inches apart, 
depending on whether the variety is a strong grower. In growing for cut flowers, 
set two and one-half feet apart, in rows three and one-half to four feet wide. The 
tops die in the fall, and should be cut off. Some leave them until spring to mark 
their place, so that the roots will not be dug up by mistake or injured when 
the ground is worked over. 
Peony. 
Peonies make strong 8hoot8. The buds 
can force through several inches of ground. 
The buds of the crown should be set at lea^t 
three inches below the surface of the ground . 
IRIS 
The Iris is one of the most beautiful flowers, and can be grown anywhere 
on all kinds of soil. It will thrive in spite of neglect where other flowers fail, 
but gives l)cst results on fertile, well-drained soil. The Iris can be planted either 
in the fall or spring. Strong plants set in the fall will give more bloom the first 
season than those set in the spring. Put the crown of the root about two inches 
below the surface, pressing the dirt firmly around it. Be careful not to get the 
roots too deep; otherwise they will rot. If planted in the fall, they should be 
well mulched the first winter with four or five inches of loose soil and leaves or 
coarse manure. This should be raked off in the spring. For planting along bor- 
ders and in masses for immediate color effects they can be set eight to ten inches 
apart. If planted in rows, set eighteen inches apart in rows three feet wide. 
When the clumps of Iris get large, they can be divided with a sharp spade, 
during their resting period late in August and transplanted. If reset promptly 
in fresh earth and watered, they will produce the usual bloom the following sprintt. 
