Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-18
PLANT PEONIES.

The following information, taken
from the Extension Service News OF the
University OF Maryland shows quite
we'll how favorably Autumn planting is
considered and also offers some reliable
advice on cultural practices
"One of the most satisfactory heroa-
ceous perennials either for garden or
for commercial production OF cut now
ers is found in the old-f:shicned peony.
Its cultural requirements are simple,
although it responds readily to good
treatment. 1t has a pleasing habit OF
growth and the foliage stays IN good
condition throughout the season. max
ing it particularly well adapted to land
scape use.
THE peony is long-lived and seems
to resent being disturbed. Growers
have pretty we'll agreed that the pest
time for planting or tranSplantlng is
during September and November: Root
growth is made before freezing weather
and plants get established and ready
for early Spring growth.
"A deep. we'll drained clay loan is
preferred for this flower and an open
site should be chosen. A little light
shade is beneficial in preserving dell
cate tones of color in some varieties,
but competition with the roots OF Vlgor-
Gus growing trees Is disastrous. In
planting peonies, the crown should pc
set 2 or 8 inches below the surface.
Heavy fertilizing is not necessary
unless the soil IS very infertile. AS
rule manures are to be avoided unless
dug in deeply Its presence on the sur
face seems to promote the bud blast
and other fungus diseases. Bonemeal
or a complete fertilizer will be found
satisfactory if mixed thoroughly with
the soil
Keeping the surface soil stirred will
keep plants in good condition. In Sc
we're droughts it may be necessary to
water occasionally, although soaking
the ground thoroughly cnce week is
better than more frequent sprinSlings.
In order to control the more COM
mon diseases. it is good practice to cut
the foliage off close to the ground at
the end of the growing season and burn
the material"
Prof w. r. Ballard, extension spe-
cialist in landscape gardening at the
University of Maryland, offers in the
October number of Extension Service
News the following suggestions:
Two general plans may be followed
in the flower garden to maintain con-
slant bloom throughout the season. In
the first plan it is recognized that max
imum bloom cannot be maintained IN
any one border during the entire season
because OF the relatively 1eW pialltS
which bloom continuously By dividing
the garden into about four separate
sections, the plants that bloom at diff
ferent periods can be assembled to-
Rether, so that each section provides
maximum effect for part OF the
season.
This scheme requires considerable
space, but has certain advantages.
Every flower bed must be worked over
at intervals dividing the crowns OF
perennials, replacing those that die.
and removing fading flowers and dy-
ing stalh1. This work is greatly SIM
plif1ed when most of the plants, are
ready for handling at the same time.
During this time, when the section
may not be in presentable condition.
the seasonal area is showing its max
imum beauty.
THE second plan, and the one most
commonly followed. is to stress sue
cession of bloom in the garden as q
whole, rather than maximum effect at
any one season. Arrangement of plants
in the border must be carefully planned
so that at every period bloom will be
well distributed throughout the border
A knowledge of the blooming habits
of plants is essential, if the plan is to
be effectively worked out. A wealth of