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TREE PEONIES (Taeonia Ploutari) 
In the flower gardens of China, where they have been grown for over 1,500 years, the Mow Tans were 
considered the most beautiful of all flowers, and for this reason were called Hwa Wang, “King of Flowers.” 
So highly prized were they that it is said single plants were valued at one hundred ounces in gold, and, 
when first introduced to Europe in 1789, they were sold in France for as much as one hundred Iouis d’or 
($460) each. 
Tree Peonies, or shrub Peonies, as they are sometimes called, do not die to the ground each year, but 
form a woody growth, eventually becoming a bushy shrub, from 5 to 6 feet high, and several feet in diameter, 
producing their immense, strikingly beautiful blooms, sometimes a foot in diameter, in greatest profusion. 
There are color schemes among them never found in the herbaceous forms, such as bright pure reds, 
brilliant scarlets, dark maroons, and rich wine colors, with lovely pure whites with golden stamens, and 
delicate blush, rose, mauve, and violet shades. 
The French varieties are mostly full double, while those from Japan are usually single or semi-double; 
they are unusually large flowering, most of them having a beautiful cushion of thick golden stamens in the 
center of the flower. 
Tree Peonies have always been scarce, as they are difficult and slow to propagate. The French varieties 
are grafted on the roots of herbaceous kinds, which do not sucker, and, if planted deep, they soon become 
established on their own roots. The Japanese graft them on the roots of the wild Tree Peony, which suckers 
so badly that almost invariably the graft is choked out and killed, as the foliage of the wild stock cannot be 
distinguished from that of the named variety. 
TREE PEONIES ARE PERFECTLY HARDY and require the same soil and treatment as the her¬ 
baceous kinds. A top dressing of well-rotted manure may be applied in the fall and worked into the ground 
in spring, but it should never be allowed to come in contact with the stems. A slight hilling-up 
around the base of the plants with earth, or dry straw during the winter, will be beneficial. 
While they are perfectly hardy, they begin their growth so early that severe late frosts are liable to 
injure the young flower-buds. For this reason they should be planted, if possible, in a situation protected 
from the early morning sun, or the half-developed buds may be covered, should freezing occur in the early 
spring. They are so beautiful that they well repay this slight care. When in full bloom, the flowers will last 
much longer if shaded from the hot afternoon sun and the direct rays of the sun during the hottest part 
of the day. 
Tree Peonies are easily forced in a cool greenhouse. Simply lift the roots the beginning of September, 
plant them in large pots, which can be plunged in ashes or soil, where they can be given their natural rest 
by freezing, and bring them inside the beginning of February. 
Three years ago it was my good fortune to be able to purchase the largest and most noted collection of 
Tree Peonies in France, that of Brochet & Sons, successors to the famous Paillet Nurseries, Chatenay, 
which had long been noted for their Tree Peonies, winning grand prizes at all the expositions during the last 
fifty years. This collection consisted of over 5,000 plants, in 238 varieties. 
As it has long been my ambition to make Tree Peonies a specialty, the principal object in securing this 
collection was to have stock plants from which to propagate. Specimen plants of the entire collection were 
planted in my specimen garden, where, together with the collection of Japanese varieties, may be seen a 
collection of upward of 350 varieties. This is, undoubtedly, the largest individual collection of Tree Peonies 
in the world. 
I regret that I am not able, at present, to issue a descriptive list of these Peonies, owing to the large 
number of varieties and the great demand for them. Of many of the varieties there are available at 
present but a few plants of each. Patrons desiring a collection of these beautiful flowers may safely leave 
their selection of varieties to me, being assured that I will cover as wide a range of colors as is possible. 
These plants are now well established on their own roots. This is very important, for the reason that 
young shoots on suckers will be of the same variety, while from plants not established on their own roots, 
the suckers will not come true, and almost invariably destroy and replace the true variety. 
I offer them (own-root plants), my selection of varieties, at $5 each. 
Special Offer 
Collection of six European Tree Peonies (own-root plants), in six different varieties, for $25. 
I can also offer a limited number of young European Tree Peonies, grafted on herbaceous roots, my 
selection of varieties, at $2.50 each; 6, all different, for $12.50. 
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