PEONY 
The Peony has been called many 
names by different growers: Queen 
flower, Glory bloom, Flower of 
the North, etc. It deserves all of 
these names and many more, for 
no other flower blooms as faithful¬ 
ly and with as little care as does 
our “Old Friend” the peony. 
Our list of peonies contains 
many choice varieties and we feel 
sure that you will find something 
you will want in this list. 
Peony Cultural Directions. 
The root division should be 
planted so that the crown or eyes 
will be between two to three inch¬ 
es below the ground. Plant about 
three feet apart each way. If 
planted too shallow the frost is apt 
to push them out of the ground. 
While peonies will grow in al¬ 
most any soil, it is certain that they 
will fully respond to good care. 
Use good rich garden soil and work 
a little well rotted manure into the 
soil. Use most of the fertilizer on 
top of soil in fall and spring. Peon¬ 
ies are coarse feeders, therefore 
the soil must be loose and porous. 
In preparing the soil for Peony 
planting, remember that you are 
planting for years to come, and 
the time and trouble taken at 
planting time will show in the 
thriftiness of plants. Give Peonies 
PEONIES 
good cultivation, as you should do 
with any flowers. 
A straw or leaf mulch over the 
first winter is a good thing to in¬ 
sure against damage by frost. 
There is no plant which will 
thrive, increasing in strength and 
beauty every year, with as little 
attention as the Peony. The third 
year after planting the ground will 
be entirely occupied and densely 
shaded by the foliage, so that com¬ 
paratively few weeds will grow. 
Each Fall, after the ground has 
become frozen, the tops of the 
Peonies should be cut off about 
three inches above the soil, and 
may be thrown back upon the bed 
to serve as mulch during the winter 
time. In the Spring this mulching 
should be taken off. 
During the seasons of extreme 
drought the growth of the Peony 
plants may be much improved and 
the crop of flowers largely in¬ 
creased in quality and size by 
drenching the beds thoroughly 
with water once or twice a week. 
The hose can be turned into the 
bed and allowed to run until the 
soil is saturated to the depth of 
twelve or fourteen inches. 
We supply fine healthy 5 to 8 
eye divisions. Our Peonies are all 
carefully inspected by the state 
twice each year and are certified. 
Alexandria. Full, double rose type, flower 
of Lilac-Rose, shaded lighter at tips of 
petals. Early and very free bloomer. 
One of the older Peonies but a very desir¬ 
able one. 35c each. 
Albert Crousse. Large very full blooms 
of soft pink. Ball shaped when fully 
open. Tall and erect, fragrant and very 
distinctive. 35c each. 
Ambrose Verschaffelt. Beautiful deep 
Carmine, midseason. This is one of the 
older Peonies, but very nice to have in 
your garden. 40c each. 
Augustine D’Hour. Large, medium com¬ 
pact flower, bomb type, dark red with 
silvery reflex. Tall and erect, with rich 
green foliage, blooms in late midseason. 
45c each. 
SEE INDEX IN BACK OF BOOK 
26 
