Evening star., 1946-05-26
Choice of Peonies
Helps to Make
COlOrful Garden
By Louise hendey

BY Louise Hendey
Although peonies are seldom sue.
cessfully planted in the spring, thi.
is the time to talk about them, fol
now they can be seen in gardens
and flower shows. When one reads
about any named variety, it is q
great satisfaction to know the color
size and habit of growth from hav-
ing actually seen the flower if not
the entire bush.
The varieties you wish to grow
should be chosen now for fall deliv-
cry and then from the middle OF
September to the first of October
set them out in your garden.
1t is we'll to prepare the bed at
least two weeks before planting time
to allow ample time for the ground
to settle because it is most important
that the buds be set not more than
2 inches deep in a good clay loan
or an inch deeper in a lighter soil
The crown of a peony plant must
remain near the surface.
Since peonies generally remain
for many years in the spot in which
they are first planted, great care
should be taken. They require soil
that is rich and we'll drained. Gen.
orally they do best in full sun for
at least half the day, although the
pale pink ones keep their delicate
color better in light shade.
Allow 3 to feet for each clump
1t will eventually require that much
While the plant is small, other
plants may be grown in the unused
space. Dig good deep holes and mix
manure in with the bottom soil Sc
that the roots will not at once come
in direct contact with it. Be careful
to firm the soil we'll around the
roots leaving no air pocket, and
water heavily.
Cut Down Old Foliage.
Winter covering is not necessary
except the first year. To help main
tain good health, cut off old peony
foliage in the fall and burn it. It
will be beneficial to work some
bonemeal in around the plant at
the same time. When new growth
starts in the spring, dust with bor-
deaux mixture. Do it frequently
If there has been any failure of
bloom due to the drying up of the
buds. Fertilize the beds with wood
ashes and sheep manure or a COM
plete fertilizer.
Be sure to put supports in early.
When the blossoms come it is a
difficult job to do and may cause
some breaking or bruising. The
double-ring tripods make the most
satisfactory supports. If you wish
large blooms, remove the two side
buds on each stem.
If the buds drop off or the stems
discolor or rot, it may be due to
botrytis. Then you will need to
dust with bordeaux mixture. 1t will
be we'll to cut off buds and flowers
from such diseased plants and to
burn them. Remove some of the
soil from around the roots and re-
place it with new. Work carefully.
Small young plants may not
bloom the first year or at best the
few flowers will be small. If divi-
sions had less than three, eyes, there
may be no bloom for a couple of
years, but when once good healthy
plants do begin, the grower will
find ample reward for his patience.
Decimal System Rating.
The American Peony Society has
helped peony lovers to choose the
best by grading them on a scale of
10. For instance, Kelway's glori-
Gus, a midseason white, is rated 9.8.
One of the oldest and best loved
is Festiva maXima, an early red
fiecked white, rating 93. Walter
Faxon, rose colored mid-season
bloomer, is also rated 9.3. Nine.
Jules Dessert 90 has a flesh col
ored flower. 1t is a late bloomer.
Mons. Jules Ellie (silvery link and
PHILIPPE Rivoire (crimson) are both
rated at 80. Marie Crousse (pink)
Mary Brand (crimson), La France
(pink) and Enchantress Cream
white), are all recommended Chi
nese varieties. More difficult to
grow, but we'll worth while, are LIE
Cygne, Solange, and Therese.
Among the singles with their
beautiful high-crested centers are
(white), Toxic (rose
pink and Mikado (crimson). Three
more expensive ones are Helen
(shell pink, LIE Jour (pure white)
and Pride of Langsport (soft pink {.
These three singles have less pro-
nounced centers and are considered
loVelier than the others.
Curuou