Tree Peonies at the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, Mass. Following are the names of the owners of a dozen gardens, selected at random, which include comprehen¬ 
sive collections of Farr's Tree Peonies: Mrs. Warren Bicknell, Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Henry Burden, Cazenovia, N. Y.; D. M. Blair, Richmond, Va.; Mrs. W, 
S. Carpenter, Jr., Wilmington. Del.; Mrs. William K. du Pont, Wilmington, Del.; Mrs. Henry Ewing, Lookout Mountain, Tenn.; Mrs. Mary Healy, Stamford. 
Conn.; Mrs. Louise J. Kinney, Louisville, Ky.; John H. Perry, Irvington, N. Y.; Mrs. Arthur Scott, Media, Pa.; Sunken Gardens, Harrisburg, Pa.; Dorothy T. 
Vogdes, Bala Cynwyd, Pa.; Mrs. Arthur Bailey, Pax tang. Pa. 
Culture and History of Tree Peonies 
History and Sentiment 
Tree Peonies are so named because they are hardwood 
shrubs like lilacs, azaleas, and the like. A more proper name 
might be “Shrub” Peonies, but Chinese written records term 
them “Tree Peonies” back to 536 A. D. when they were the 
exclusive property of the Emperor. Japan imported them in 
924 A. D., has made the most improvements since then, and 
leads the world in production today. England imported its 
first Tree Peony in 1787. Some American plants are known 
to be at least 50 years old. 
Permanence 
A Tree Peony in Norfolk, England, when 80 years old, had 
a spread of 15 feet, was 4 to 8 feet high, and bore 400 blooms, 
each 8 to 9 inches in diameter. Many Farr customers have 
reported 100 blooms per plant on specimens purchased since 
1913. The average rate of hardwood growth appears to be 
from 2 to 6 inches per year. Plants should last at least one’s 
lifetime. Development is most rapid during the first 10 years. 
Three-year plants bear 2 to 4 blooms, 6-year plants from 10 to 
30 blooms, depending on cultural conditions. 
How to Plant 
Your Tree Peony wants to live for 100 years. Therefore, 
dig a hole about 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep. Thoroughly mix 
2 pounds of Vigoro with the soil. Refill the hole with firmed 
soil to a depth where tips of roots will rest, leaving the 
nursery-row ground-marking about an inch lower than the 
top-level of the hole. Spread the roots and continue to “firm” 
the soil while adding it. 
Apply a 4-inch mulch of clean straw or hay around the 
plants and slightly beyond the root-radius, after the ground 
is permanently frozen, for the first winter. Leave branch-tips 
exposed. Apply a half-inch layer of hydrated lime to top 
surface each spring for ideal results. 
Feed, cultivate and water the plants conscientiously, and 
your Tree Peonies will be a constantly increasing source of 
pride and enjoyment throughout your lifetime. 
Where to Plant 
A location sheltered from prevailing winter winds is the 
first preference. They prefer limed soil, good drainage, and 
sunlight, remembering that partial shade will protect blooms 
from the sun; as background to perennial beds and rock- 
gardens; along the foundation of buildings or walls; in beds 
or as specimens and accent plants by themselves. In com¬ 
bination with “pre-Peony” bloomers, such as tall late Tulips, 
Lilacs, early Irises, Rosa hugonis, Azaleas, Spireas, etc., allow 
2 feet of unobstructed clearance around Tree Peonies so that 
pruning against overcrowding may be postponed for many 
years. While they may spread as much as 10 to 15 feet in a 
hundred years, 4 feet apart is a good rule if planted by 
themselves. 
