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Fourteen Favorites Among the Perennials: Peonies

Peonies should be used sparingly in the small garden. The plants themselves require so much room and the blooms are so large that they are apt to be considerably out of scale. They are particularly suitable for planting in large garden areas where substance and mass effect are desired, and they are useful also for planting along the edge of shrubbery borders. The essentials of success in raising good peonies are: to plant them at the proper depth; to give them plenty to eat; to let them strictly alone, lifting and moving them only when it is absolutely necessary. Peonies are among those plants classed as rank feeders and they should be set in rich, fertile soil into which a liberal quantity of well-rotted cow manure has been dug-this, of course, if one wishes to grow peonies of the best size and quality. The plants are propagated by root division and early September is considered the ideal season for dividing. The young plants are then able to establish themselves before winter sets in and by the following spring will be able to make the most of their opportunities. Division may also be done in very early spring, but offers more of a check to the young plant. The roots should be divided into pieces each containing three to five eyes or buds. One eye will be sufficient, and in the case of rare varieties is usually what is allowed. The bud should be planted not more than two to three inches deep. It is very important that one adhere strictly to this rule, as too deep planting will result in poor bloom or in absolute failure. Care should be taken that the roots do not come in direct contact with any manure. Peonies resent interference more than almost any other flower, and when once well established they should be left undisturbed.

A top dressing of bone meal and pulverized sheep manure should be worked in around the plants in early spring shortly after growth starts, and an application of liquid manure, given just as the buds begin to swell, will be found very effectual.

Many beautiful named varieties are offered. Some are early, some mid-season, and some late.

Festiva Maxima was introduced in 1851 and has maintained its popularity for more than half a century. It came into existence long before the American Peony Society was ever dreamed of, but had the honor of receiving a rating of 9.3 when the lists of the Society were made up. It is one of the finest of all peonies. It is of vigorous growth, bearing large, full flowers, pure white in color with a dash of crimson at the heart.

Edulis Superba is another of the older type, bearing very fragrant flowers of deep pink. It blooms early and can usually be depended upon to be in bloom by Decoration Day.

Le Cygne is a recent introduction and has received the highest rating for any peony, being given a score of 9.9. The flowers are very large, beautifully formed, and freely produced, cream-white in color with a greenish tint at the heart. This variety is unfortunately very expensive at present, for it is only a short time since it made its initial bow to the peony world. It will, however, be just as beautiful a few years hence when it will be within more easy reach of the gardener of modest means.

Therese is another most delightful variety, violet-rose in color. Rating 9.8. Baroness Schroeder is a late variety, white with faint pink tints. The blooms are large and last exceedingly well as cut flowers.

Lady Alexandra Duff is a delicate pale pink, very fragrant. Officinalis Rubra is the old-fashioned deep rich crimson peony of Decoration Day.