New American Peony 
Mrs. Edward Harding 
Enthusiasm for the Peony is at a high point in the United States. 
The choicest Peonies of France, long the leaders in the field, have been 
imported and propagated extensively. In addition a number of 
American growers, both professional and amateur, have been bending 
their efforts to the development of new varieties of merit and beauty. 
This energy is stimulated by the increasing number of fine private 
collections and the numerous exhibitions held in various parts of 
the country. Large prices for roots are being paid by the interested 
amateurs, and substantial prizes are being offered for seedlings of real 
worth. 
Mr. E. J. Shay lor of Auburndale, Mass., has devoted many years 
to the careful hybridisation of these plants. He has bred a number 
of remarkably fine varieties, notably Georgiana Shay I or and Mary 
Woodbury Shay I or. His new Peony Mrs. Edward Harding (191 8) is 
the finest American Peony yet produced. It was exhibited at Cleve- 
land, Ohio, June, 1918, in competition for Mrs. Harding's prize of 
$100 offered for the best new Peony of American origin not yet in com- 
merce. The prize was not taken until the third year after it was 
offered. 
The beauty and distinction of this Peony caused a sensation, and 
won the prize for it. Small di\"isions of this variety command $100 
apiece, the highest price yet paid for a herbaceous Peony. One en- 
thusiastic Canadian collector, determined to possess this wonderful 
flower, paid Mr. Shaylor $100 for a root, and then paid the Canadian 
Government $25 customs duty and S7.50 war tax for the pri\dlege of 
importing it. 
Mrs. Harding, whom this Peony is named after, is a noted amateur, 
and has one of the finest collections of Peonies. She is the author 
of The Book of the Peony. 
The fame of this flower has spread rapidly, and many Peony- 
lovers who have not seen it are asking for a clear and fuU description. 
The following description is authentic: Peony Mrs. Edward Harding 
(Shaylor, 1918). Large, globular white flower, without any red lines 
or marks. The white is a warm creamy ivory tone. Petals very large 
throughout the flower, outside petals or guards measuring about 3 
inches. Lateral blooms have an occasional anther hidden deep in big 
petals. Stems are strong and stiff. Foliage large, clean, strong dark 
green. Buds are enormous. Entire plant is tall (about 40 inches), 
erect, robust, free-blooming and strikingly beautiful. 
Elinor Smith in The Garden. 
