4 Oberlin Peony Gardens, Sinking Spring, Pa. 
TREE PEONIES 
(PAEONIA ARBOREA) 
This species is one of the first to bloom in the early spring, preceding the 
Officinalis and Chinensis or Herbaceous sections by two to three weeks, 
according to variety. It is a shrub in character, while the Officinalis and 
Chinensis sections are Herbaceous. 
The tree peony is native to the mountains of China and was propagated 
by the Chinese for hundreds of years, and this resulted in the evolving of 
semi-double and single varieties. In the year 1800 the tree peony was im- 
ported into Europe and after considerable work by European hybridizers the 
present very double form of the flower, was evolved. 
The shrub starts to produce an increasing number of sprouts from below, 
and in this natural way it continues to live and prolong its life, at the same 
time enlarging the clump. Therefore, in pruning, no living wood should be 
cut, but only the part of the shrub that has been wintekr-killed should be 
removed. 
It will require several seasons for it to become thoroughly established 
and show the perfection of its bloom. Double varieties will sometimes bloom 
single and semi-double until thoroughly established. The flowers are larger 
than those of the Herbaceous varieties, with a crepe-paper-like texture and 
ruffled and crimped on the edges of the petals. A well-established, mature 
bush is truly a gorgeous sight when in full bloom, growing 3 to 4 feet in 
height and spread and bearing 25 to 100 blooms. 
No garden should be without one or two tree peonies. They make a 
very nice specimen plant and are a joy to behold. There are records that 
one plant had as many as 400 blooms on it. If properly located, cultivated 
and fertilized a tree peony will grow and bloom satisfactorily for many years. 
Until the outbreak of the present World War we imported the better 
varieties of peonies from Europe and Asia and kept only the hardiest and 
best bloomers for listing in our catalogue. At the present time we are 
entirely independent of any foreign source of supply due to the fact that 
we are continually engaged in propagating our plants, of which we now have 
the largest selection in America. We are able to offer plants originated by 
Professor A. P. Saunders, probably the greatest living tree peony hybridizer, 
and we also have available plants originated by Morgan D. Reinbold, Esq., 
a local hybridizer to whom we extend all the facilities and courtesies of our 
nurseries. 
South and east exposures, in Open spaces and in full sunlight at least half 
of the day, are the best locations. If planted where they are exposed to north 
or west winter winds, they should have protection by mulching with dry 
leaves or a screen the first year. 
We thank you, our customers, for your past patronage and trust that 
you will try some of our newer varieties. In case you have any questions 
about the proper care and cultivation of peonies, be sure to write to us and 
we will be glad to supply the information. 
