Paeony

Paeony (Paeonia) - Among the most showy of hardy perennial plants, with much beauty of color and often fragrance. Though there are several species in collections, the most important are the hybrids obtained by inter-crossing. Paeonies are divided into two groups—the tree or shrubby kinds, comprising the varieties of P. Moutan; and the herbaceous kinds. The hybrid sorts have been obtained chiefly from P. officinalis and other European kinds, together with the Chinese species albiflora, sinensis, and edulis. The European varieties flower early and the Chinese late, so that the flowering season is prolonged.

Among the hybrid Paeonias there is much variety of color—white, pale yellow, salmon, flesh-pink, and numerous intermediate shades from carmine to brightest purple. Among the oldest varieties the most remarkable are—grandiflora, double white; Louis Van Houtte, papaveriflora, rubra triumphans, sulphurea plenissima, rosea superba, Zoe, Mme. Calot, Gloria Patriae, and Prince Troubetskoy. The most beautiful of recent date are—Good Single Kinds: Argus, Armida, Autumnus, Bridesmaid, Countess of Warwick, Duchess of Sutherland, Emily, Frank Bramley, Giganteus, Miss Ida Chamberlain, Mrs J. Gundry, Mrs Templeman, Philip H. Miller, Stanley, The King, The Queen. Double Kinds: Agnes Mar Kelway, Arethusa, Beaute Francaise, Canarie, Comte de Paris, Coronation, Dean Hole, Dr Bonavia, Duc de Wellington, Duchesse de Nemours, Edulis superba, Ella Christine Kelway, Etendard du Grand Homme, Festiva Maxima, Glory of Somerset, Henri Demay, Lady Alexandra Duff, Lady Curzon, Leonie, Queen of Roses, Mme. Vilmorin, Monsieur Rousselon, Octavie Demay, Philomele, Prolifera tricolor, Mme. Charming, Mme. Calot, Mme. Charles Leveque, Queen Victoria, Reine des Francaises, Solfatarri Virginie, Souvenir de Gaspar Calot, Triomphe de Paris, Venus. There are many others—for example, the forms of P. officinalis (such as anemonaeflora, rubra, and Sabini, and the rosy, crimson, and white double-flowered varieties); also P. albiflora, peregrina, paradoxa, and especially the small P. tenuifolia, with its feathery foliage and large deep red blossoms. There is a double form of this species, and a variety called latifolia with broader foliage, and one of the earliest of Paeonies to flower. Then there is P. lobata, with fine single flowers of salmon-scarlet; and P. corallina, a native plant, with single reddish-purple flowers followed by handsome pods of red and black seeds. But the most distinct of all is P. Wittmanniana, with single pale yellow flowers early in May. Until recently this was the only known Paeony with yellow flowers, and the new P. lutea belongs rather to the Tree Paeonies. These, as well as the varieties, are perfectly hardy, and need no protection against frost, however severe.

A good moist loam, enriched with cow manure, is the soil best suited to Paeonias. The best season for planting is September-October; the earlier the better. New roots are in course of formation at that time, and the plants more quickly become established. In any case the planting should be completed while the crowns remain dormant. To divide and transplant in spring when in growth is fatal to success, equally bad being that of transplanting large specimens intact. These are grave fundamental errors. Plants having three or five plump crowns are by far the best for the planter. Have the ground well prepared by manuring and by trenching to the depth of about 3 feet, and plant them at least 4 feet apart in each direction. They will not flower well before the second or third year. An open position is best. The Paeony revels in the deepest and richest of soils, and once well planted is good for a dozen years without disturbance. When established apply liquid manure in autumn and winter.

Besides their value for the garden proper, there are few plants more fitted for the wild garden; and the most brilliant and one of the boldest things in wild gardening is a group of scarlet Paeonies, or any of the hardy species in meadow grass, in early summer. This may be managed so that they come into the garden landscape, so to say, and are seen at a considerable distance from certain points of view. So placed, they could not be in the way when out of flower, as they sometimes are in the mixed border.

September and October are the best months for planting Moutans, but if planted from pots they may be put out in spring, when all danger of frosts is over. Good plants set in autumn produce many flowers the second or third year after planting, and soon become a most attractive feature of the garden. They flower the first of any Paeonies, and put forth their blooms early in May. When planting, because of their early flowering, positions sheltering them from north and east should be selected, in order that the young tender shoots and flowers may escape the ill effects of spring frosts. Until the second half of this century only white, rose, salmon, and lilac sorts were known; and we are indebted to Mr Fortune for his Chinese varieties, most of which have scarlet, violet, and magenta flowers. Von Siebold, too, introduced a number of Japanese varieties, which, however, form a different race, and are mostly single or semi-double.

Tree Paeony (Paeonia Moutan) - A noble plant of great beauty for its varieties, which are very numerous. It is hardy, and properly planted requires little care; precious also for borders and for lawns. Its blossoms are gorgeous in early spring, and its young leaves assume every shade of color, from violet-crimson to green. Tree Paeonies are not particular as to soil or position, they grow and flower well in chalky soils, or those of good sandy loam. Moutans are gross feeders, and amply repay generous treatments with occasional top-dressings of half-decomposed cow manure.

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