

1942 
THE MAGNIFICENT TREE PEONY (Poeonia 
Arborea) (Rhododendron of the Middle 
West) 
Tree Peonies lend distinction and charm to your garden 
because they are unusually beautiful and rare. Their colors are 
different from those of the regular herbaceous peony; and not 
only do they possess the finest shades of pink, red and white, but 
also develop flowers of pure yellow, yellow and orange, lavender, 
violet, purple, etc. 
WHAT IS A TREE PEONY? Unfortunately the name Tree 
Peony is not exactly correct because the plant does not form a 
tree but rather a shrub. While in herbaceous peonies the foliage 
and stem dies down to the root in winter, the stems of the tree 
peony become woody and the eyes form along the stems. The 
plant will attain a height of from five to six feet and in time 
produce as many as 200 flowers to the plant... flowers some- 
times 12 inches across and always at least as large as those of 
the herbaceous peony. 
HARDINESS AND CARE. Tree Peonies are very hardy; we 
have grown them in our nurseries for many years alongside with 
regular peonies and never had any winter killing. Tree Peonies 
thrive in the same soil as other peonies, rich sandy-loam, well- 
drained. They do beautifully in semi-shade as well as in full sun. 
For fertilizer they like well-decayed manure and bonemeal. 
Complete Cultural Directions accompany: every order. 
TIME OF SHIPMENT. Tree Peonies can be shipped almost 
anytime because we grow many in 5” pots, which makes trans- 
planting and shipping easy. From September on we ship from 
fieldrow, three, four or five year old plants. 
HISTORY. Centuries ago Tree Peonies were considered almost 
sacred in the Imperial Gardens of the Chinese Emperors. They 
were not only grown in borders and beds but also in large tubs, 
placed in inner courts. It is known that such tubbed Tree Peonies 
produced as many as 400 blossoms to the plant. They were so 
highly: regarded that single plants were valued at 100 ounces in 
gold and when first introduced in Europe in 1789, were sold for 
as much as 100 Louis d'Or ($460.00) each. 
Tree Peonies have long been cultivated in England until today 
there are but few gardens there that lay any pretense to beauty 
which are not adorned by the gorgeous blossoms of the Tree 
Peony. They are ideal for planting in formal beds, as specimens, 
Onan tubs: 
European Hybridizers have done wonders with this charming 
plant and we have spared no effort in obtaining and propagating 
the finest things that the world offers in the most exciting of all 
garden plants. 
