Evening star., 1938-06-04
Peonies Not
Up to Par
This Year
Excessive Rainfall
At Blooming Time
Among Reasons.
By J. STEALEY ELMS.

tically over, comparison of notes
made this year with those of previous
years gives one the definite impression
that this was an off-year, both in
quality and size Of bloom and in the
sturdiness OF plant, describing, of
course, the condition as 1t existed in
this locality. The two main reasons
for this must be attributed to the mild
winter season we had and to the ex-
cessive rainfall which we had just at
the height Of the blooming season.
AS an illustration, notes made pre-
vious to this year show that the va
riety Walter Faxon, noted for its unique
intense shell-pink, color, produced
blooms which were quite large and
which stood up for several days in the
house after being cut when fully open
on the plant. This year the blooms
were small, about half size. the stems
were thin and weak and they wilted
after day or so in the house
This same condition was quite true
Of several other varieties which nor
mally are priced for their sturdiness
both as to plant and bloom. Here and
there, Of course, was found a variety
whose bloom was typical of other years.
Kelway's Glorious and Alice Harding,
both beautiful whites, described in last
weeks article, proved to be all any one
could hope for this year. Grace
Loomis, an excellent late, full double
white, produced better blooms this year
than any Of the several years have
had the variety.
AZ q general average, though, peony
blooms this year were decidedly below
former standard.
The most outstanding surprise in the
garden was the manner in which the
iris stood up and gave no quarter to
the heavy. pelting rains which battered
the peonies to the ground. Noticed In
particular was stalk of the variety
Depute Nomblat. This variety is a
magnificent iris, rising about feet
from the ground The flower Is ex-
tremely large, on a widely branched
stalk. The color is striking, having
copper-red bronzed standards, the falls
being wide and Of rich crimson color.
1t was fully open during two Of the
heaviest rains and came through quite
unharmed.
Many people have inquired (proh-
ably due to the early season we had
this Year, what are some good late va
rieties of peonies. There are a num-
ber Of good ones which usually do not
come into full bloom until few days
after Decoration Day. The following
list gives a few which might answer
the inquiries and give to the grower a
great deal Of pleasure after the rush of
Memorial Day is over:
Sarah Bernhardt-This is a very
large, dark-rose double type and is very
late.
President Wilson-A bright rose
pink; very fragrant.
Milton Hill-A light shell-pink; ex-
cellent texture.
Grace Loomis-Large, double type;
white.
Cornelia Shaylor-Opens pink, but
later turns to almost white.
Jeannot-An exquisite and delicate
pale rose-pink; very free Towering.
Do not think that because the bloom
ing season Is over for peonies and iris
that all you have to do is to wait for
next seasons production. Far from it.
If you would have perfection in bloom
and plant next spring. now is the time
to start preparing. All peony blooms
which are showing signs. of wear and
tear should be cut of and disposed of.
Cultivation Is a present requisite and
q generous application of bone meal
should be given. The ground shouIS
be worked all during the summer and
kept clear of weeds. Any plants show
ing signs of Botrysis should be treated
Immediately and If this fungus disease
has gained much headway the plant
should be lifted and burned and the
hole out of which the peony was taken
cleaned and replenished with new
earth.
This is the ideal time to dig and d.
vide your iris If you wish to increase
your stock, or to purchase new va
rieties. Iris left standing should have
the bloom stalks cut away and little
later on 1t might be wise to trim back
the foliage.
1t should be interesting to the iris
lover to acquire, If possible, some of
the other iris species, such as T. susiana,
I. hoogiana, I. tectorllm Ohe roof iris),
I. cristata, I. sibirica and I. kaempferi.
OF course, there are many others. I.
kaempferi (the Japanese iris) will be
discussed In a later article. This iris,
probably the most SNOWY Of them all,
will burst forth in bloom the latter
part of this month.