Plants
Packing of plants is much more extensively the work of nurserymen than of private gardeners, as it forms part of their trade. It is essential that consignments reach their destination with as little breakage as possible; consequently, men are, in all large firms, kept purposely for this work. The plans adopted vary with plants of different sorts and sizes, some requiring more protection than others. Round, matted baskets are largely used, as they are conveniently adapted for holding plants of different heights. Each of the latter should be securely staked, and, if necessary, covered with tissue paper, the ball being kept intact by tying some moss from above it to the pot with matting or soft string. Small plants with good roots are usually quite safe, if taken from the pots and tied up in moss, and the package is, in consequence, rendered of less weight. These would, more properly, be placed in boxes, or covered hampers, so that shifting about would be impossible when once the lid was fastened. Another plan is to use paper flower-pots, which are manufactured and sold for the purpose. These are strong, made of different sizes, and are always ready for use. The plant is taken from its ordinary pot, and placed in a paper one of similar dimensions, which is provided with flaps at the top for turning over the ball. In this way, a large number of small plants may be placed in a comparatively small hamper, and the work of Packing proceeds with rapidity. When Packing round or flat-covered hampers, it is advisable to arrange the plants as much as possible with their tops towards the centre, and use sufficient packing material to keep them firm in position, the greater part of the balls of earth being thus situated near the outside. Plants packed in matted baskets are usually stood upright, string being tied in both directions across the top, to keep each pot in its proper position. Living plants are usually sent to, and received from, foreign countries, in Wardian cases. Packing is here, again, an important part of the undertaking, as on it very much of the success frequently depends. The pots, in this case, should be placed as near each other as possible, and the space between them well filled in with fine loam. Afterwards, narrow strips of wood, of a suitable size, should be laid crossways, and securely nailed to ledges on the sides of the case. Large quantities of plants, such as Orchids, Bromeliads, &c., which live a long time without moisture, are successfully imported in strong packing-cases of ordinary make, bound with hoop iron. Flowers. With these, the private gardener has much to do, particularly throughout the summer, as large quantities have to be transmitted frequently, at long distances, to meet the customary demand. With increased facilities for sending small parcels, amateurs and cottagers are also enabled to favour their less fortunate friends with flowers whenever they are sufficiently plentiful. Here, too, the condition in which flowers arrive at their destination, depends very materially on the method of Packing adopted. It is obvious that if flowers, which should travel perfectly well when properly packed, arrive in a useless state, a great waste of material is effected, and disappointment caused, that, with ordinary care, might have been prevented. Flowers that are intended for travelling are invariably all the better for being cut at least a few hours previous to being packed, and placed in water. In summer, nothing should be cut for this purpose when the sun is shining, so as to cause the least sign of flagging. Evening, or, better still, early morning, should be the time chosen. Boxes, sufficiently strong, and proportionate in size to the quantity it is intended to send, should always be used; baskets are not satisfactory, as they allow so much evaporation, and do not prevent the evil influences from outside, either of heat or cold. Different flowers vary considerably in respect of the amount of pressure they will bear. The aim should be, in all cases, to completely fill the space up to the lid, and thus prevent the contents from shaking about. Should the flowers not be sufficient to do this, clean, damp moss may be placed in the bottom, or amongst them; but a box of the proper size is preferable. Cotton wool, so often placed amongst flowers, is not to be recommended, on account of its absorbent nature. Supposing mixed flowers are to be packed together, all the heavier ones should be placed at the bottom, and others carefully arranged above them. A little light fern laid over the top, then a double sheet of tissue paper, will prepare the way for the lid, which will then lightly press everything into its place without injury. Such quickly-injured flowers as Eucharis, Gardenias, &c., where a quantity have to be packed, should be provided with shallow boxes, just deep enough for carrying single specimens. These should be laid nearly close together, and held in position with moss slightly damped, tissue paper being then put over the top, beneath the lid. Some envelop each flower in soft paper separately; but this takes up more space, and, if they travel safely, unpacking cannot be so readily accomplished. Choice bouquets, wreaths, &c., should have special boxes provided for them, in which they can be fixed, so that shifting about is an impossibility. Boxes intended for carrying flowers through the post are best made of stout tin, strong enough to withstand the stamping process, as these are found to preserve their contents fresher than any others. If cardboard boxes are used, they should be provided with a lip, or flap, at the end, to which the stamps should be affixed. Tin boxes, of various sizes, are specially prepared to meet postal requirements, and their general use for flowers is recommended. Careful and close Packing is here specially an essential, as small parcels have to withstand a deal of more or less rough usage before reaching their destination. Fruits. Besides despatching supplies of fruit, to meet family requirements, large quantities have also to be sent from various places to market, and the condition in which such consignments arrive greatly affects their value. To the system of Packing much relating to success or failure may generally be attributed, although the condition of many fruits, at the time they are packed, must not be overlooked. Such soft-skinned subjects as Peaches, Nectarines, Figs, Strawberries, &c., require most careful handling, and will not travel satisfactorily in an over-ripe state. It becomes necessary, therefore, to gather them for Packing before they are fully ripe. This, unfortunately, detracts from their quality very considerably, but it is unavoidable where the results of a railway journey are to be taken into consideration. With Grapes, it is important that their bloom should be, as much as possible, preserved. With this end in view, the bunches are frequently packed close together, in moderately deep boxes or baskets, with an inside lining, on the bottom and around the sides, of soft, dry moss, covered with tissue paper. If provision can be made for keeping the box or basket upright throughout its journey, there is no need of putting anything beneath the lid. If this cannot be insured, similar paper, and a layer of moss, should be used, as on the sides, for filling the vacant space; but this is almost certain to destroy more or less bloom. The bunches should be close enough together in the space to prevent rubbing or shifting about. Peaches, Nectarines, and Figs, must not be over-ripe, or their skins are sure to get bruised in transit. These fruits should be packed in boxes only deep enough to take one layer. Each fruit should be carefully wrapped in tissue paper, and sometimes it becomes necessary to have a thin band of cotton wool in addition. Figs are best packed in Vine leaves, without paper or cotton wool. Boxes about 3 1/2in. or 4in. deep are most suitable, as these afford space for a layer of dry moss in the bottom, which acts as a bed; and if the fruits do not fill up, a sheet of tissue paper, and a little more moss or cotton wool above it, should be placed beneath the lid. Strawberries are best packed in boxes holding only single layers; 2in. deep is sufficient. A quantity of soft leaves should be gathered with the fruits, or from spare plants, and allowed to wither a little. In proceeding to pack, a leaf should be put round each fruit, which should then be placed in the box, one after the other, until the space is filled. Sufficient leaves are then laid over the top to fill up to the lid. All leaves used must be dry on the surface, otherwise they will injure the fruit. Apricots and Plums may be packed like Peaches, but they are not so delicate, and suffer less readily. Cherries travel well, when not too ripe, by being simply laid close together, in very shallow boxes. When it is necessary to preserve the bloom on Plums, they may be similarly treated. PAEDERIA (from paedor, an offensive smell; referring to the rank odour of P. faetida). SYN. Hondbessen. ORD. Rubiaceae. A small genus (five or six species) of stove, climbing shrubs, with twining stems, natives of tropical Asia, and one Brazilian. Flowers small, disposed in loose, two or three-forked cymes, produced either from the axils of the leaves or at the ends of the branches; calyx persistent, four or five-toothed; corolla tubular or funnel-shaped, hairy inside; limb of four or five spreading lobes. Fruit a small berry. Leaves opposite, rarely ternately whorled, membranous, petiolate. The under-mentioned species (the only one yet introduced) thrives in a compost of sandy loam and leaf mould. Propagated, in summer, by cuttings, inserted in sand, under a glass.
P. foetida (stinking). Chinese Fever Plant. fl. deep pink, numerous; panicles axillary, opposite, short, rarely terminal. May. fr. broadly elliptic, compressed, polished. l. oblong or lanceolate, cordate at the base. Tropical Asia, &c., 1806. All parts of this plant emit a most offensive odour when bruised; the stems yield a tough, fine fibre, and the Hindoos use the roots as an emetic.
PAEDEROTA (from Paideros, a name applied by the ancients to a species of Acanthus). ORD. Scrophularineae. A genus comprising only a couple of species of pretty, dwarf, hardy, perennial herbs, inhabiting the mountains of Central and Eastern Europe. Flowers yellow or blue, alternate, very shortly pedicellate, disposed in dense, terminal spikes; calyx of five narrow segments; corolla with a cylindrical tube and a sub-bilabiate limb, the upper lobe of which is entire, and the lower one three-parted. Leaves opposite, toothed or incised. The species, which are usually treated as annuals by gardeners, require a dry, airy situation, and a light sandy soil, or a compost of equal parts peat, loam, and sand. Increased by seeds. P. Ageria (Ageria). fl. yellow; corolla nearly 1/2in. long, with erect segments; spikes short, compact. May. l. all acute; lower ones ovate; middle ones 1 1/2in. long, almost 1in. broad; upper ones longer and narrower-lanceolate, cut-serrate. h. 6in. to 12in. 1824. Plant puberulous. P. Bonarota (Bonarota). fl. blue; corolla 1/3in. long, with somewhat spreading segments; spikes compact, globose or oblong, 1in. to 1 1/2in. long. May. l., lower ones orbiculate; upper ones ovate or lanceolate, serrated or cut. h. 4in. to 6in. 1818. Plant pilose. (J. F. A. app. 39.) PAEONIA (the old Greek name used by Theophrastus, and said to be so named after the physician Paeon, who was the first to employ the plant medicinally). Paeony, Peony, or Piony. ORD. Ranunculaceae. A well-known genus of mostly hardy herbs, with a root-like, perennial caudex, or a branched, more or less woody stem; they are natives of Europe or temperate Asia, North-west America, and China. Flowers purple, white, or red, showy; sepals five, herbaceous, persistent; petals five to ten, conspicuous, broad, not pitted. Carpels two to five; follicles dehiscent seeds large, with fleshy albumen. Leaves alternate, ample, pinnately dissected or decompound. Mr. Baker, in the opening remarks of his admirable synopsis of the genus, which appeared in the "Gardeners' Chronicle" for 1884, says: "To-day we know about two dozen that may be considered as botanical species or sub-species. Under each of these, if brought into cultivation, there is scope for a large number of varieties, distinct from a horticultural point of view. Probably, each would vary widely in the colouring of the flower. In P. Moutan, P. albiflora, and P. officinalis, which are the best known, there is red in every shade, from crimson graduating down to pink, and also pure white. Doubling may take place in any species to a greater or lesser extent by petalody of the very numerous stamens. In flowers so large as Paeonies, these changes are very conspicuous. The following is the best classification and enumeration of the forms which I am able to give; but Paeonia, like its neighbours, Aquilegia, Aconitum, and Delphinium, is what botanists call a critical genus, and the leading specific types are linked together by many intermediate connecting stages: Sub-genus I. Shrubby.
Disk enveloping the base of the carpels.
P. Moutan.
Sub-genus II. Herbaceous.
Disk not produced to envelop the base of the carpels. GROUP I. Follicles glabrous.
P. albiflora, P. Brownii, P. Cambessedesii, P. coriacea, P. humilis, P. leiocarpa, P. microcarpa, P. obovata, P. Wittmanniana. GROUP II. Follicles tomentose, erect or slightly spreading. P. anomala, P. Emodi, P. lobata, P. mollis, P. officinalis, P. paradoxa, P. peregrina, P. tenuifolia.
GROUP III. Follicles tomentose, spreading stellately when mature. P. arietina, P. Broteri, P. corallina, P. cretica, P. decora, P. Russi, P. triternata (P. daurica)."
All the species described here may be looked upon as hardy in Britain. In the South of England, P. Moutan is apt to commence growth too early, and its young shoots are frequently damaged by frosts. To obviate this, light shelter, such as that afforded by a mat, &c., is necessary, during frosty weather, in spring. In some places in the north of England, no shelter is needed. The species described below are those which are, or have been, grown in this country; the names of the principal varieties are appended. Cultivation. There are two distinct sections of Paeonies in general cultivation, both of which are exceedingly ornamental and useful for outdoor garden decoration. The Moutan, or Tree, Paeony is a sub-shrubby plant, and all the numerous varieties belonging to it are classed under its name. The other section is that of the Herbaceous Paeony, the representatives of which annually form flower-stems that also die down each year. Paeonies of any sort prefer a rich, deep soil, which should be well trenched previous to planting, and have some rotten manure incorporated. A top-dressing of the latter should also be given, and manure-water in summer is beneficial when growth is being made. Herbaceous varieties succeed in almost any position, and, when in flower, are very effective and showy subjects wherever employed. On this account, they are specially recommended for the front part of large shrubberies and plantations, and for wide, mixed borders; they may also be planted in beds by themselves, preferably in positions where an effect from a distance is that desired. Tree, or Moutan, Paeonies very frequently suffer outside from the effects of spring frosts on the tender shoots. By affording too much shelter during winter, this result has, at times, been encouraged by the plants being rendered more tender than they otherwise would be. Tree Paeonies do not succeed, or flower so well, in this country as on the Continent; the hotter summers of the latter being more favourable to their proper ripening, and early spring frosts being less destructive. A partially-sheltered situation should be selected for the plants of this section, on a lawn where some temporary covering can be used in spring. A mulching of manure over the surface soil in summer is of great help, by affording nutriment, and also preventing evaporation. Tree Paeonies may also be grown in pots for flowering under glass early in the season; they may be gradually forced to flower in February; but this renders them useless for a similar purpose for some two or three years afterwards. To maintain an annual exhibition indoors, three sets of plants should therefore be provided, one being introduced every third year. In pots, it is almost impossible to provide a too rich soil.
Propagation of herbaceous Paeonies is effected by division; but this should not be practised more than is really necessary, because of its weakening influence on the parent plant. Large clumps soon form when they are well manured and left alone; they should not be planted too deeply. The Tree, or Moutan, varieties are grafted on the stout, fleshy roots of the herbaceous species, principally P. albiflora and P. officinalis. August is a good time to graft. The scions should be selected without flower-buds, and united to the stock-root, which should then be potted and plunged amongst ordinary soil in a frame, allowing the soil to cover the scion up a little way. If the frames are closed, and a slight shading applied, a union will generally soon take place, when air may be gradually admitted, but the plants may remain undisturbed till spring. Propagated also by layering, and sometimes by division. P. albiflora (white-flowered).* fl. on a peduncle, more produced than in P. officinalis, often with a large, simple leaf just below the flower, and one or two large, foliaceous outer sepals; petals usually white or pink, but variable, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad. May and June. Follicles often three or four, less than 1in. long. l., leaflets often confluent at the base, oblong, acute, 3in. to 4in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, glabrous, brighter green than in other species, often coloured at edges, and the veins also red; lower leaves with about five segments in each of the three divisions. Stems 2ft. to 3ft. long, glabrous, often branched, two to five-flowered. Siberia, 1548. The roots are sometimes eaten by the Mongolian Tartars. SYN. P. edulis. Varieties: fragrans (B. R. 485), Humei=sinensis (B. M. 1768), tatarica (B. R. 42), uniflora (B. M. 1756), vestalis (A. B. R. 64), and Whitleyi (A. B. R. 612; B. R. 630).
P. anomala (anomalous). fl. solitary; outer sepals produced into long, often compound, leafy points; corolla bright crimson, 4in. in diameter, with about eight obovate or oblong petals, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad; stamens 1/2in. to 3/4in. long. May. Follicles about three, avoid, 1in. long. l. ten to twelve, cut into numerous confluent, lanceolate, acute segments, 1 1/2in. to 2in. long, thirty to forty to the lower leaves, paler below. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. long. Root-tubers large, and fusiform; stolons none. Europe, &c., 1788. SYNS. P. Fischeri, P. intermedia. (A. B. R. 514; B. M. 1754.) P. arietina (ram's-head-like). fl., corolla dark red, 4in. in diameter. May. Follicles three or four, densely tomentose, avoid, spreading almost horizontally from the base, 1in. long. l. five or six on a stem, pale green or glaucous, and pubescent beneath; segments oblong or oblong-lanceolate, copiously confluent, not more than 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, about thirty in the fully developed lower leaves. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. long, hairy upwards, single-flowered. South Europe. Allied to P. peregrina. SYN. P. cretica (B. R. 819).
P. Brownii (Brown's). fl. on a short peduncle; outer sepals leaf-like; corolla globose, not more than 1in. in diameter; petals dull red, brighter towards the edges. May. Follicles four or five, oblong, 1in. long. l. five or six, decompound, with very numerous, small, oblong, obtuse or sub-acute, copiously confluent segments, 1/8in. to 1/3in. broad. Stems one-headed, not more than 1 1/2ft. long, bending over till the follicles touch the ground. North America, 1826. Probably not now in cultivation. SYN. P. californica. (B. R. xxv. 30.) P. californica (Californian). A synonym of P. Brownii. P. corallina (coral-red). fl. on a short peduncle; outer sepals leafy, lanceolate, inner obtuse; petals six to eight, crimson or rose-red, obovate or sub-orbicular, 2in. to 3in. long. May. Follicles three, four, or rarely five, spreading from the base when mature, 1 1/2in. long. l. five or six to a stem, glabrous, paler beneath, biternate, with nine distinct, oblong, acute segments, the side ones 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, the end one sometimes 2in. broad, and reaching a length of 3in. to 4in. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. long, one-headed. Tubers fusiform. Europe (not native of Britain), Asia Minor. P. cretica (Cretan). A synonym of P. arietina.
P. daurica (Dahurian). A synonym of P. triternata.
P. decora (decorous). fl., outer sepals broad, and leafy; petals six to eight, crimson, 1 1/2in. to 2in. long, 1in. broad. May. Follicles two or three, tomentose, avoid, very thin, diverging widely when mature. l. five or six to a stem, pale green or slightly glaucous, red at the margins, glabrous, or slightly pilose beneath; segments numerous and very confluent, thirty to forty to the fully developed leaves. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. long, glabrous, one-flowered. Servia, &c. Related to P. arietina.
P. edulis (edible). A synonym of P. albiflora.
P. Emodi (Mount Emodus).* fl. white, 3in. to 4in. in diameter; several of the outer sepals produced into leafy points; petals unequal, obovate, the outer 1 1/2in. to 1 3/4in. broad. March. Follicles one or two, ovoid, 1/2in. in diameter. l. thin, glabrous, paler beneath; lower ones with twenty to thirty lanceolate, or oblonglanceolate, very confluent, acuminate segments, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad. Stems 2ft. to 3ft. long, two or three-flowered when at all luxuriant. Himalayas, 1868. Rare in cultivation, but a fine plant. (B. M. 5719) P. Fischeri (Fischer's). A synonym of P. anomala. P. humilis (dwarf). fl. on a short peduncle; calyx with often one to three very compound leaves from its base; petals bright red, orbicular, 2in. long. May. Carpels two or three, 1in. long, 1/2in. in diameter. l. five or six to a stem, the lower with twenty to thirty oblong, acute, copiously confluent segments, 1/4in. to 1/2in. broad, dark green and glabrous above, pale and pubescent beneath. Stems 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, one-headed, hairy towards the top. South of France, 1633. A well-known garden plant. (B. M. 1422.) P. hybrida (hybrid). A form of P. tenuifolia.
P. intermedia (intermediate). A synonym of P. anomala. P. laciniata (torn). A form of P. tenuifolia.
P. lobata (lobed). A form of P. officinalis.
P. mollis (soft). fl. like those of P. officinalis and P. peregrina, but smaller and duller in hue. May. Follicles similar, densely pilose. l. five or six, crowded, dull green above, glaucous and densely pubescent beneath, cut into thirty to forty oblong-lanceolate segments, 3/4in. to 1in. broad. Stem about 1ft. long, one-headed, densely pilose. Not very distinct from P. paradoxa. (B. R. 474; L. B. C. 1263.) P. Moutan.* Moutan Paeony. fl. various in colour, very large. May. Carpels small, numerous, densely pilose. l., leaflets entire at base, often cut in the upper part into oblong, acute segments, glabrous on both surfaces, moderately firm, not at all decurrent on the rachis. Stems shrubby, copiously branched. h. 3ft. Widely cultivated in China and Japan. 1789. Fig. 3 represents a single-flowered, and Fig. 4 a double-flowered, variety of this beautiful species. (B. M. 1154.) Garden varieties: Anneslei (T. H. S. vi. 482, 7), Banksii (A. B. R. 448; B. R. 379), Humei, papaveracea (A. B. R. 463; B. M. 2175; L. B. C. 547), Rawesii, and rosea (A. B. R. 373; L. B. C. 1035). P. officinalis (officinal).* fl., sepals unequal, the inner obtuse, the outer acute and leaf-like; petals dark crimson, much imbricated, obovate or nearly orbicular, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad; stamens 1/2in. long; anthers rather shorter than the filaments. May. Carpels two or three, ovoid, densely tomentose, 1in. long when mature. l. five or six to a stem, glabrous, paler beneath, the lowest with fifteen to twenty lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, acute, confluent leaflets, 1in. to 2in. broad. Stem stout, one-flowered, glabrous, 2ft. to 3ft. long. South Europe, 1548. The commonest species in gardens, especially in the double-flowered form. (B. M. 1784.). P. lobata is regarded by Mr. Baker as a dwarfer variety, with narrower and more numerous leaf segments.
P. paradoxa (paradoxical). fl. on very short peduncles. May. l., lower ones cut up into from thirty to forty acute, confluent segments, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad, the largest not more than 1 1/2in. to 2in. long. Stem 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. high, with never more than a single flower. Otherwise like P. peregrina, of which it is "not in any broad sense more than a variety" (Baker). (S. B. F. G. 19.) P. peregrina (foreign). fl. on a short peduncle; inner sepals orbicular, 3/4in. to 1in. long, outer with leafy points; petals five to ten, bright crimson, 2in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad. May. Follicles two or three, erect-arcuate, 1/2in. in diameter; stigmas folded together. l. five or six to a stem, dull green and glabrous above, pale and pilose beneath, the lower with fifteen to twenty oblong, acute segments, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, the longest 3in. to 4in. long. Stem 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, one-headed, pubescent towards the top. South Europe, 1629. Common in cultivation. (B. M. 1050.) SYN. P. pubens (B. M. 2264).
P. pubens (downy). A synonym of P. peregrina.
P. Russi (Russ's). Follicles finely pubescent. l. thin in texture; segments ovate or oblong. Stem 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long. Otherwise like P. corallina, of which, according to Mr. Baker, it is scarcely more than a variety. Sicily, &c. P. tenuifolia (slender-leaved).* fl. solitary, erect, surrounded by the crowded, reduced upper leaves; sepals orbicular, 1/2in. to 3/4in. long; petals dark crimson, elliptic-cuneate, 1 1/2in. long; anthers shorter than the filaments. June. Follicles two or three, not more than 1/2in. long. l. ten to twelve, cut up into very numerous, linear, one nerved, confluent segments, less than one line broad. Stems one-headed, glabrous, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, densely leafy up to the flower. Root-tubers fascicled, with creeping stolons. Transylvania to the Crimea, &c., 1765. A well-known and very distinct type. (B. M. 926.) P. hybrida and P. laciniata are varieties with broader leaf-segments. The double state, a handsome garden plant, is shown P. triternata (triternate). fl., outer sepals leaf-like, inner obtuse; petals six to eight, rose-red, obovate, 2in. to 2 1/2in. long. May. Follicles two to four, densely tomentose, spreading from the base when mature. l. five or six to a stem, glabrous, pale green above, glaucous beneath, with broad, oblong or obovate leaflets, obtusely rounded at the apex, with a small cusp, not confluent at the base; the side ones often 2in. broad, and the end one obovate or orbicular, 3in. to 4in. long and broad. Stem 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, one-flowered, glabrous. Tubers thick. Caucasus, &c., 1790. Allied to P. corallina. SYN. P. daurica. (A. B. R. 486; B. M. 1441.) P. Wittmanniana (Wittmann's).* fl. borne on a short peduncle; sepals orbicular, the longest over 1in. long; petals orbicular, yellowish-white, 2in. long; filaments longer than the small anthers. April. Carpels glabrous, with a small, spirally-curved stigma. l., lower ones biternate, with usually not more than three segments in each division; leaflets thin, often 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad, ovate, acute, dark green and glabrous above, hairy below. Stems-one-headed. h. 2ft. Caucasus and North Persia, 1842. A well-marked species, but rare in cultivation.(B. M. 6645).
Varieties. These are very numerously represented in both of the sections to which reference has been made in the foregoing cultural notes. Many produce flowers of an extraordinary size, and colours range in them through almost every variety and shade; they are also fragrant, and well adapted for travelling in a cut state. Subjoined is a selection, which comprises many of the best sorts:
Double Herbaceous Paeonies. June-flowering (varieties of P. albiflora). AMABILIS, satin rose; AMBROISE VERSCHAFFELT, rich purple, fragrant; ATROSANGUINEA, purple, golden anthers; AUGUSTE VAN GEERT, rose-pink; BELLE DOUAISIENNE, white, laced purple; BLANC, pure white; BOSSUET, magenta-rose; BUCKII, intense crimson-purple, rose scented; CARNEA ELEGANS, delicate pink, shading to white; CHARLES BINDER, rich magenta-rose; DECAISNE, deep rose, fragrant; DECANDOLLE, fine rose, shading to pink, fragrant; DR. BRITONNAU, satin rose, centre white; DUCHESSE DE MODENA, rose, centre blush; ECLATANTE, rich purple; EDULIS, white; EDULIS FRAGRANS, deep rich rose; ETENDARD DU GRAND HOMME, brilliant rose, very large, rose-scented; FESTIVA MAXIMA, pure white, fragrant; FORMOSA, blush, centre primrose; FULGIDA, deep rose; GENERAL BEDEAU, rose, centre sulphur, very fragrant; GLOBOSA, deep pink, centre florets primrose; GLOIRE DE DOUAI, deep crimson, golden anthers; GRANDIFLORA NIVEA, white, tinged rose; HENRI IV., blush pink; HUMEI, scarlet-crimson, very dwarf; INCOMPARABILIS, rose, shaded purple, fragrant; INSIGNIS, rose-carmine, rose-scented; ISIDORE LEROY, crimson-purple; LOUIS VAN HOUTTE, purple-crimson; MADAME BOUCHALET AINE, rich purple-crimson, fragrant; MADAME CALLOT, white, tinged rose, rose-scented; MADAME DE MONTIJOU, blush, centre white; MADAME SCHMIDT, purple-crimson, showy golden anthers, fragrant; MADAME VILMORIN, blush, centre white; NOBILISSIMA, full deep rose; PAPAVERAEFLORA, white, centre primrose; PRINCE CHARLES, rose-purple, centre chamois; PRINCE PROSPER, purple-magenta, golden anthers; PULCHERRIMA, guard petals blush, centre white, rose scented; PURPUREA SUPERBA, rich glowing purple, fragrant; REINE DES ROSES, guard petals deep rose, centre chamois-rose; ROSEA MAXIMA, pink, inner florets white, tinged rose; ROSEA PRAECOX, rose, early flowering; THE QUEEN, blush rose, very large, rose-scented; TRIOMPHE DE L'EXPOSITION DE LILLE, rich purple, fragrant.
Hardy European Paeonies. May-flowering (varieties of P. officinalis). DOUBLE ANEMONE-FLOWERED, large, rich crimson; petals somewhat irregular. DOUBLE RED, flowers large, rich crimson; abundantly produced; a very old variety. DOUBLE ROSE, flowers opening full rose, and chauging to flesh colour; large and fine. DOUBLE WHITE, flowers large, opening pale pink, and changing to pure white. Moutan, or Tree-Paeonies. May-flowering (varieties of P. Moutan). ALBA LILACINA, ATROPURPUREA, BEAUTY OF CANTON, BLANCHE NOISETTE, CANDIDA, CARNEA PLENA, COUNTESS OF CRAWFORD, ELIZABETHA, EMPEROR OF CHINA, GLORIA BELGARUM, INCARNATA PLENA, LACTEA, MANDARIN, MAXIMA PLENA, OCELLATA, OSIRIS, PRIDE OF HONGKONG, REINE DES FLEURS, ROBERT FORTUNE, SALMONEA, SNOWBALL, SOUVENIR DE GAND, SPECIOSISSIMA, STELLA, TRIOMPHE DE MILAN, VERSICOLOR PLENA, VILLE DE VERSAILLES, VIOLACEA PURPUREA, VIVID, ZENOBIA.