Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-10-18
THE TREE PeoNY.
A Noble Flower That Is Being Guilt.
vated in England to Some Extent.

A Noble Flower That Is Being Guilt.
waited in England to Some Extent,
The roblest flower of the summer season
is the tree peony, and those who have not
got it in their gardens should try and find
room for it. For considerable more than a
thousand years it has been cultivated by
the Chinese, and they have raised hun
dreds of magnificent varieties and kept
them carefully, so that they did not pass
out of the country.
In Japan also it is a great flower, and
like the chrysanthemum and the iris is
abundant in that country in many fine
forms, some of which are now at last being
brought to US. But fortunately we are
not entirely dependent upon such uncer-
tain sources for our plants, for some
years past English and continental raisers
have been at work upon the tree peony,
and they have been rewarded with some
sterling productions.
The first tree peony was brought into
this country rather more than 100 years
ago through the fundamentally of Sir
Joseph Banks. who had heard of its exist
ence and popularity in Chinese gardens. A
few others were obtained later on, but
down to 1850 there were not dozen dis
tinct kinds in cultivation. In recent
years, however, the flower has been great
ly improved. Doubtless there are a great
many kinds much alike but there are also
magnificent varieties that we ought to
possess and grow as we do good roses.
Among the early varieties that came to
this country was one with single flowers,
which were white, with a dark crimson
stain at the base of the petals. This was
and still is supposed to be the type and
parent of the now numerous and lovely
progeny in existence. Occasionally, and
often when least expected, one meets with
a grand plant of this and a similarly
colored double lowered variety.
A short time back, when passing along
the road in remote country district, we
saw two magnificent plants of this kind.
one on each side of the walk leading up to
a farmhouse. They were each more than
four feet in height, almost as much in di-
ameter and bearing scores of blooms.
Many years must elapse before a specimen
of such dimensions is obtained, for al
though tree peonies grow vigorously
enough three parts of the growth die back
each season to where a prominent bud is
formed.
One great point in their favor, however,
is that they commence to bloom in quite
young state. and plants that are little
more than one foot high will bear four or
five great flowers, and these, with the am
pie foliage that clothes the shoots, make
even small plants appear of considerable
size in their summer dress. Above all
pants Iney neeu good culture, ana as
when once planted they are very impatient
of disturbance at the root a thorough
preparation of the site should be made.
Some care must also be exercised in
choosing the position, for though the
plants are in every respect hardy they
start into growth so soon that frost some
times Injuries the young shoots. The risk
of this is obviated by choosing a site
where the early morning sun does not
.xDf
frost not having the slightest effect upon
the shoots If they thaw gradually. 1t is
an easy matter to arrange some temporary
framework, over which canvas or some
other light protecting material could be
thrown should frost come during the crit
ical time of young growth. In winter pro
lection must not on any account be given.
The aim should rather he TO retard growth,
and even then it viii start quite soon
enough.-London Graphic.