The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-09-16
PE0NY IS POPULAR FAV0RITE
u 10 Hardy, Easy OF Culture and
lsnds Itself Well to Beautify.
Ing Of Home.

Among all our herbaceous plants
there IL perhaps not one that stands
higher In popular favor than the
peony. And II richly deserves its
popularity because OF its great hardi-
ness. It's ease OF culture Its magnif-
cent range OF rich and delicate col
ors. its wonderful profusion OF bloom
and its tenacity OF life.
The writer knows many specimens
of the old variety cultivated extern
sively by our grandmothers. officinalis
rubra plena. that have been growing
In the same place In the old gardens
for more than half n century and
without exception those that have re-
ceived good care are as vigorous and
healthy today as any young plants,
and year after year they give a crop
Of glorious fine flowers. Many OF
these old plants have grown to be
clumps Ave and six feet across and
one can often count hundreds of bios
SONS and buds in various stages OF
development on each plant
Such plants as these are what are
needed TO make the attractions OF a
garden permanent There b n S,rer
hardy herbaceous plant ~AtsA 80 b.
used with such flne effect Ia q Do
der.
Scattered here and there among
shrubbery 1t produces q most satisfac-
tory show OF color at q time when
most shrubs are not In bloom.
Probably, however. II is most strik-
ingly effective when planted In large
beds. II II can be given q back
ground OF evergreens. Its rich coiors
show up to great advantage. shrub
berry of any kind as q background
brings its colors into strong RELIEF and
one should always plant IL possible
with that aim In view. IL partially
shaded all the better. The culture
OF the peony Is simple I'm the extreme.
Il does best In q rather stin loan. pre-
ferring It to . lighter soil. because
II likes 70 feel the earth firm about
It's roots.
While Il prefers such q soil. II viii
do very well indeed In a sandy loam'
or almost any soil. provided Il Is
rich In the elements OF plant develop
ment. To grow good peonies one must
make good use OF fertilizers, prefer
ably old, well rotted COW manure. I'm
less this Is done you cannot expect q
vigorous growth OF stalks and foliage
and generous crops OF large richly
colored flowers.
II is hardly possible to use too much
manure about II. II It Is old enough
70 be black and crumbles easily un
der the application OF the hoe. II
should be dug into the soil about
the roots OF thes plants. taking care
however, not to dig close or deeI
enough TO disturb them.
There is no plant that resents dis
turbance OF It's roots more. Dig into
q clumb TO secure toe" for . neigh
Dor and very often the parent plant
will refuse to bloom the following sea
son. 30 hardy Is the peony that II
is not necessary to give II wintel
protection at the extreme north j
its roots are put deep into the ground
II given shallow planting the fros
will often leave them badly unless
covered with coarse manure or mulcf
Of some kind
The roots ought To be at least si'
inches beneath the surface. While
winter protection Is not necessary. u
IL advisable because II prevents tsx
ing the vitality OF the plant excessive
ly in It's efforts to Withstand . sever'
winter.