PAEONIA (the old Greek name used by Theophrastus, and said to be so named after the physician Paeon, who was the first to employ the plant medicinally). Paeony, Peony, or Piony. ORD. Ranunculaceae. A well-known genus of mostly hardy herbs, with a root-like, perennial caudex, or a branched, more or less woody stem; they are natives of Europe or temperate Asia, North-west America, and China. Flowers purple, white, or red, showy; sepals five, herbaceous, persistent; petals five to ten, conspicuous, broad, not pitted. Carpels two to five; follicles dehiscent seeds large, with fleshy albumen. Leaves alternate, ample, pinnately dissected or decompound. Mr. Baker, in the opening remarks of his admirable synopsis of the genus, which appeared in the "Gardeners' Chronicle" for 1884, says: "To-day we know about two dozen that may be considered as botanical species or sub-species. Under each of these, if brought into cultivation, there is scope for a large number of varieties, distinct from a horticultural point of view. Probably, each would vary widely in the colouring of the flower. In PAEONIA Moutan, PAEONIA albiflora, and PAEONIA officinalis, which are the best known, there is red in every shade, from crimson graduating down to pink, and also pure white. Doubling may take place in any species to a greater or lesser extent by petalody of the very numerous stamens. In flowers so large as Paeonies, these changes are very conspicuous. The following is the best classification and enumeration of the forms which I am able to give; but Paeonia, like its neighbours, Aquilegia, Aconitum, and Delphinium, is what botanists call a critical genus, and the leading specific types are linked together by many intermediate connecting stages: Sub-genus I. Shrubby. Disk enveloping the base of the carpels. PAEONIA Moutan. Sub-genus II. Herbaceous. Disk not produced to envelop the base of the carpels. GROUP I. Follicles glabrous. PAEONIA albiflora, PAEONIA Brownii, PAEONIA Cambessedesii, PAEONIA coriacea, PAEONIA humilis, PAEONIA leiocarpa, PAEONIA microcarpa, PAEONIA obovata, PAEONIA Wittmanniana. GROUP II. Follicles tomentose, erect or slightly spreading. PAEONIA anomala, PAEONIA Emodi, PAEONIA lobata, PAEONIA mollis, PAEONIA officinalis, PAEONIA paradoxa, PAEONIA peregrina, PAEONIA tenuifolia. GROUP III. Follicles tomentose, spreading stellately when mature. PAEONIA arietina, PAEONIA Broteri, PAEONIA corallina, PAEONIA cretica, PAEONIA decora, PAEONIA Russi, PAEONIA triternata (PAEONIA daurica)." All the species described here may be looked upon as hardy in Britain. In the South of England, PAEONIA Moutan is apt to commence growth too early, and its young shoots are frequently damaged by frosts. To obviate this, light shelter, such as that afforded by a mat, &c., is necessary, during frosty weather, in spring. In some places in the north of England, no shelter is needed. The species described below are those which are, or have been, grown in this country; the names of the principal varieties are appended. Cultivation. There are two distinct sections of Paeonies in general cultivation, both of which are exceedingly ornamental and useful for outdoor garden decoration. The Moutan, or Tree, Paeony is a sub-shrubby plant, and all the numerous varieties belonging to it are classed under its name. The other section is that of the Herbaceous Paeony, the representatives of which annually form flower-stems that also die down each year. Paeonies of any sort prefer a rich, deep soil, which should be well trenched previous to planting, and have some rotten manure incorporated. A top-dressing of the latter should also be given, and manure-water in summer is beneficial when growth is being made. Herbaceous varieties succeed in almost any position, and, when in flower, are very effective and showy subjects wherever employed. On this account, they are specially recommended for the front part of large shrubberies and plantations, and for wide, mixed borders; they may also be planted in beds by themselves, preferably in positions where an effect from a distance is that desired. Tree, or Moutan, Paeonies very frequently suffer outside from the effects of spring frosts on the tender shoots. By affording too much shelter during winter, this result has, at times, been encouraged by the plants being rendered more tender than they otherwise would be. Tree Paeonies do not succeed, or flower so well, in this country as on the Continent; the hotter summers of the latter being more favourable to their proper ripening, and early spring frosts being less destructive. A partially-sheltered situation should be selected for the plants of this section, on a lawn where some temporary covering can be used in spring. A mulching of manure over the surface soil in summer is of great help, by affording nutriment, and also preventing evaporation. Tree Paeonies may also be grown in pots for flowering under glass early in the season; they may be gradually forced to flower in February; but this renders them useless for a similar purpose for some two or three years afterwards. To maintain an annual exhibition indoors, three sets of plants should therefore be provided, one being introduced every third year. In pots, it is almost impossible to provide a too rich soil. Propagation of herbaceous Paeonies is effected by division; but this should not be practised more than is really necessary, because of its weakening influence on the parent plant. Large clumps soon form when they are well manured and left alone; they should not be planted too deeply. The Tree, or Moutan, varieties are grafted on the stout, fleshy roots of the herbaceous species, principally PAEONIA albiflora and PAEONIA officinalis. August is a good time to graft. The scions should be selected without flower-buds, and united to the stock-root, which should then be potted and plunged amongst ordinary soil in a frame, allowing the soil to cover the scion up a little way. If the frames are closed, and a slight shading applied, a union will generally soon take place, when air may be gradually admitted, but the plants may remain undisturbed till spring. Propagated also by layering, and sometimes by division.