FARR NURSERY COMPANY, WEISER PARK, PENNA. 
Tree Peonies at the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, Mass. Following are the names of the owners of a dozen gardens, selected at random, which 
include comprehensive 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, )r., 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 Cardens, Harrisburg, Pa.; Dorothy T. Vogdes, Bala Cynwyd, Pa.; Mrs. Arthur Bailey, Paxtang, 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 exclu¬ 
sive 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 he 
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 1 0 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 nurs¬ 
ery-row ground-marking 3 to 4 inches lower than the top- 
level of the hole. Spread the roots and continue to “firm” the 
soil while adding it. Plant deeply. 
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 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 sun¬ 
light; light afternoon shade will, however, 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 combination 
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 1 0 to 15 feet in a hundred years, 
4 feet apart is a good rule if planted by themselves. 
