THE HERBACEOUS PEONY 
HE herbaceous Peony of today stands un¬ 
challenged as the most popular of hardy 
plants, and its friends who know its possi¬ 
bilities and its many good qualities are loud 
in its praises. Its popularity has increased 
by leaps and bounds in the United States 
during the last two decades, since the new improved 
varieties have been developed and become known. There 
are at present some 2,000 varieties of Japanese, French, 
Dutch, English and American origin; the public has been 
quick to appreciate the improved varieties, and demand 
the best; till now it holds full sway during June, which 
is becoming rather the month of Peonies than of roses. 
Peonies range in color from cream and purest white 
through the various shades of pink, lilac, rose and reel to 
the deepest carmine, purple and maroon, in every possible 
combination of shade and form. Size of bloom varies 
from four to eight inches in diameter. Most of them have 
a delightful fragrance. 
CULTURE 
This is one of the strong points. No flower is easier 
to grow. As contrasted with the rose, chrysanthemum, 
and carnation, which can be perfected only under the 
skillful care of the expert florist, the Peony needs but 
to be put into good, rich soil and left alone, where for 
eight, ten or even twenty years it will increase in size and 
beauty each year. If given a mulch of manure in the late 
fall, leaving it on all winter, the added enrichment of 
the soil will perhaps yield more and better blooms, but it 
is not needed as a protection. They are remarkably free 
from disease. 
When dormant in early fall they can be shipped long 
distances without injury. It is possible to transplant and 
ship them in the spring, but we do not recommend it, as 
they then undergo a severe setback, and do not bloom as 
freely for several years. The very best time is September, 
and that is when we begin filling orders. 
They should be planted with eyes two to three inches 
below the surface and the ground pressed firmly about the 
roots. They can be divided as small as desired, so long 
as each piece has at least one good strong eye on a piece 
of tuber. 
VARIETIES 
In the beginning we carried a limited number of 
Peonies, but as early as 1888 we had in cultivation over 
three hundred varieties personally selected from the best 
stock to be had in Europe. From that day to this we 
have made a special study of this interesting plant and 
have accumulated all there is to be had in literature, as 
well as tested every kind offered anywhere. 
We make no pretense of carrying or offering for sale a 
complete collection of every known Peony, but after 
passing through a thorough test of several years, those of 
decided merit and difference are retained. 
The points of excellence taken into consideration in 
making this selection are: Free blooming, strong stems, 
shape, fullness, keeping qualities, and freedom from blight, 
also shade and fragrance, with attention given to extend¬ 
ing the period of blooming. 
