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Explanation of American Peony Society Descriptions 
All of the descriptions in the following list except those marked * are abbreviated from the detailed 
descriptions in the official bulletins of the American Peony Society, in the following order: 
Name; originator and date of origin; type of flower; color, with page and number of shade in the color 
chart; fragrance, if especially pleasing; habit of plant; and season of bloom. 
Peonies are classified as follows: 
Single. Those with a single row of wide guards, and a center of yellow pollen-bearing stamens. 
Semi-Double. Those with several rows of wide petals, and a center of stamens and partially transformed 
petaloids. 
Japanese. These have wide guards the same as the singles, but with the stamens and anthers greatly 
enlarged into narrow, thick petaloids of various colors, tipped with vestiges of yellow; the anthers 
are without pollen. 
Anemone. A step farther in the process of doubling, with the stamens all transformed into short, narrow 
petals, forming a round cushion in the center of the flower. 
Crown. In this type wide petals are developed in the center of the flower, forming a high crown, with the 
narrow short petals forming a ring or collar around it. Often the crown and guards are one color, 
and the collar another, or of a lighter shade. 
Bomb. The next step, in which all the center petals are uniformly wide, approaching the guards, but 
distinctly differentiated from them, forming a globe-shaped center without collar or crown. 
Semi-Rose. Flowers in which the petals are all uniformly wide, but are loosely built, with a few pollen¬ 
bearing stamens visible, or nearly concealed. 
Rose. The process of doubling is completed, all stamens fully transformed into evenly arranged wide 
petaloids, similar to the guards, forming a perfect rose-shaped bloom. 
Colors. The chart used contains about 360 colors, in about 1,440 shades. Most of the technical names 
of the colors explain themselves, a few are at variance with the popular conception, and the following 
comparisons will be of assistance: 
Hydrangea-pink is light shell-pink; pale lilac-rose, a shade deeper; mauve-rose, light pink; violet- 
rose, medium-light pink; mauve, deep pink, with purple tinge (example, Edulis superba); lilac, pale pink; 
solferino-red, medium-light pink (example, Modeste Guerin); Tyrian rose, brilliant red (example, Felix 
Crousse); aniline-red, similar to Tyrian rose , with less of a purple tint (example, Henri Demay); purple- 
garnet, dark garnet of a blackish ci'unson (example, M. Martin Cahuzac); dark crimson, contains more 
purple than garnet. Rose-magenta or carmine-rose, dull purple-lake and deep carmine-violet are shades 
of dark crimson as found in Delachei, Pierre Dessert and Edouard Andre. 
The figures 1 (155), 2 (155), etc., refer to the number of the color in the chart, the figure outside of 
the parenthesis indicating the degree of intensity. They are inserted only for the benefit of any who may 
wish to use them as an aid to the identification of their own varieties. 
Fragrance, where not mentioned, is understood to be absent or not especially pleasing. 
The abbreviation and figures following the variety name (Cal. 1855) indicate the introducer’s name 
and the year of introduction. The names and their abbreviations are, Anderson (And.), Calot (Cal.), 
Crousse (Cr.), Dclache (Deb), Dessert & Mechin (D. & M.), Dessert (Des.), Donkalaer (Don.), Foulard 
(Fo.), Gombault (Gom.), Guerin (Gr.), Hollis (Hoi.), Kehvay (Kel.), Lemoine (Lem.), Mechin (Mech.), 
Miellez (Miel.), Parmentier (Par.), Richardson (Rich.), Rosenfield (Ros.), Verdier (Verd.), Verhille (Ver.), 
Whitley (Whit.) 
TWO LETTERS FROM THE FAR EAST-AND TWO FROM HOME 
A few years ago you were kindly interested in sending 
seeds and plants to my friend, Mr. Sze, in China. This 
summer I was so fortunate as to visit my friend in his 
home in Tientsin, China. I found him in a new home, 
with grounds he is much interested in beautifying. 
The plants you sent lived and flourished and were a 
delight, and the seeds also grew. Now I come to you 
again to help in this far-away beautiful home. — M. 
ELLA MORGAN, 
This is to notify you that I received, a few days ago, 
my order of peonies, which arrived in good condition. 
—MISS CONCEPCION BRIAS, Manila, Philippine 
Islands. 
The plants came early enough for me to get them out 
before I came away. Consequently, I wish to thank you 
for the prompt delivery as well as for the quality of the 
bulbs and plants. I also hope to visit Wyomissing in 
peony time next June. Mine, of course, do not bloom 
till the last of June and first of July. — JOHN L. 
REA, New Jersey. 
The peony roots arrived securely labeled, splendidly 
packed and in A1 condition. Altogether the roots are 
of the highest class, and I am entirely satisfied and 
especially pleased with their size, condition and the 
care with which they are labeled.—J. C. TOWNSEND, 
Pennsylvania. 
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