PAEONIA. The single varieties of this useful, hardy flower have recently taken a high position in the estimation of gardeners. There are something like 150 named garden Paeonies, and a very select group for ordinary establishments is as follows: Single Herbaceous Paeonies. ACASTA, flesh-colour; ASTROCA, silvery-rose; BACELUS pink, yellowish centre; GOLIATH, crimson; GORDIUS, maroon; GORGONIUS, purple; JANUS, light purple; LEVONI, white; ORTHIA, white, rose margin; QUEEN OF MAY, French white. Double Herbaceous Paeonies. ADELAIDE, pure white; ADONIA, rosy-purple; AGENORIA, cream; ANCONA, bright rose, large; ATALANTA, rose; BEATRICE KELWAY, flesh-colour; GLORY OF SOMERSET, soft pink, large; LABOLAS, purplish-rose, distinct yellow tip; LADY GWENDOLINE CECIL, rose, large and full; LADY LEONORA BRAMWELL, silvery-rose; MEDIA, pale rose, large; MEDUSA, rosy-lilac; MILLAIS, maroon; PEARL, white, with a pale rose tint; PRINCE HENRY OF BATTENBERG, purple; PRINCESS BEATRICE, pink outer petals, yellow and pink centre; PRINCESS IRENE, primrose centre, pink petals; PRINCESS MARY OF CAMBRIDGE, rose; PRINCESS OF WALES, flesh-colour; QUEEN VICTORIA, rose, broad outer petals; SIR FREDERICK LEIGHTON, purplish-crimson; THISBE, pale pink; VERTUMNUS, rosy-blush; VESPER, primrose, outer petals pinkish-blush. Moutan or Tree Paeonies. ANTIGONUS, pale rose; HECATE, maroon, yellow stamens; ILLUSTRIS, rose; LAUTA, white and pale purple; LORD TENNYSON, violet-purple; MAGNIFICENCE, cerise; PHOEBUS, rose, tinted salmon; REGALIS, rose, handsome; VENOSA, white, flushed carmine. PAEONIA albiflora (white-flowered).* fl. on a peduncle, more produced than in PAEONIA officinalis, often with a large, simple leaf just below the flower, and one or two large, foliaceous outer sepals; petals usually white or pink, but variable, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad. May and June. Follicles often three or four, less than 1in. long. l., leaflets often confluent at the base, oblong, acute, 3in. to 4in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, glabrous, brighter green than in other species, often coloured at edges, and the veins also red; lower leaves with about five segments in each of the three divisions. Stems 2ft. to 3ft. long, glabrous, often branched, two to five-flowered. Siberia, 1548. The roots are sometimes eaten by the Mongolian Tartars. SYN. PAEONIA edulis. Varieties: fragrans (B. R. 485), Humei=sinensis (B. M. 1768), tatarica (B. R. 42), uniflora (B. M. 1756), vestalis (A. B. R. 64), and Whitleyi (A. B. R. 612; B. R. 630). PAEONIA anomala (anomalous). fl. solitary; outer sepals produced into long, often compound, leafy points; corolla bright crimson, 4in. in diameter, with about eight obovate or oblong petals, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad; stamens 1/2in. to 3/4in. long. May. Follicles about three, avoid, 1in. long. l. ten to twelve, cut into numerous confluent, lanceolate, acute segments, 1 1/2in. to 2in. long, thirty to forty to the lower leaves, paler below. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. long. Root-tubers large, and fusiform; stolons none. Europe, &c., 1788. SYNS. PAEONIA Fischeri, PAEONIA intermedia. (A. B. R. 514; B. M. 1754.) PAEONIA arietina (ram's-head-like). fl., corolla dark red, 4in. in diameter. May. Follicles three or four, densely tomentose, avoid, spreading almost horizontally from the base, 1in. long. l. five or six on a stem, pale green or glaucous, and pubescent beneath; segments oblong or oblong-lanceolate, copiously confluent, not more than 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, about thirty in the fully developed lower leaves. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. long, hairy upwards, single-flowered. South Europe. Allied to PAEONIA peregrina. SYN. PAEONIA cretica (B. R. 819). PAEONIA Brownii (Brown's). fl. on a short peduncle; outer sepals leaf-like; corolla globose, not more than 1in. in diameter; petals dull red, brighter towards the edges. May. Follicles four or five, oblong, 1in. long. l. five or six, decompound, with very numerous, small, oblong, obtuse or sub-acute, copiously confluent segments, 1/8in. to 1/3in. broad. Stems one-headed, not more than 1 1/2ft. long, bending over till the follicles touch the ground. North America, 1826. Probably not now in cultivation. SYN. PAEONIA californica. (B. R. xxv. 30.) PAEONIA californica (Californian). A synonym of PAEONIA Brownii. PAEONIA corallina (coral-red). fl. on a short peduncle; outer sepals leafy, lanceolate, inner obtuse; petals six to eight, crimson or rose-red, obovate or sub-orbicular, 2in. to 3in. long. May. Follicles three, four, or rarely five, spreading from the base when mature, 1 1/2in. long. l. five or six to a stem, glabrous, paler beneath, biternate, with nine distinct, oblong, acute segments, the side ones 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, the end one sometimes 2in. broad, and reaching a length of 3in. to 4in. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. long, one-headed. Tubers fusiform. Europe (not native of Britain), Asia Minor. PAEONIA cretica (Cretan). A synonym of PAEONIA arietina. PAEONIA daurica (Dahurian). A synonym of PAEONIA triternata. PAEONIA decora (decorous). fl., outer sepals broad, and leafy; petals six to eight, crimson, 1 1/2in. to 2in. long, 1in. broad. May. Follicles two or three, tomentose, avoid, very thin, diverging widely when mature. l. five or six to a stem, pale green or slightly glaucous, red at the margins, glabrous, or slightly pilose beneath; segments numerous and very confluent, thirty to forty to the fully developed leaves. Stem 2ft. to 3ft. long, glabrous, one-flowered. Servia, &c. Related to PAEONIA arietina. PAEONIA edulis (edible). A synonym of PAEONIA albiflora. PAEONIA Emodi (Mount Emodus).* fl. white, 3in. to 4in. in diameter; several of the outer sepals produced into leafy points; petals unequal, obovate, the outer 1 1/2in. to 1 3/4in. broad. March. Follicles one or two, ovoid, 1/2in. in diameter. l. thin, glabrous, paler beneath; lower ones with twenty to thirty lanceolate, or oblonglanceolate, very confluent, acuminate segments, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad. Stems 2ft. to 3ft. long, two or three-flowered when at all luxuriant. Himalayas, 1868. Rare in cultivation, but a fine plant. (B. M. 5719) PAEONIA Fischeri (Fischer's). A synonym of PAEONIA anomala. PAEONIA humilis (dwarf). fl. on a short peduncle; calyx with often one to three very compound leaves from its base; petals bright red, orbicular, 2in. long. May. Carpels two or three, 1in. long, 1/2in. in diameter. l. five or six to a stem, the lower with twenty to thirty oblong, acute, copiously confluent segments, 1/4in. to 1/2in. broad, dark green and glabrous above, pale and pubescent beneath. Stems 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, one-headed, hairy towards the top. South of France, 1633. A well-known garden plant. (B. M. 1422.) PAEONIA hybrida (hybrid). A form of PAEONIA tenuifolia. PAEONIA intermedia (intermediate). A synonym of PAEONIA anomala. PAEONIA laciniata (torn). A form of PAEONIA tenuifolia. PAEONIA lobata (lobed). A form of PAEONIA officinalis. PAEONIA mollis (soft). fl. like those of PAEONIA officinalis and PAEONIA peregrina, but smaller and duller in hue. May. Follicles similar, densely pilose. l. five or six, crowded, dull green above, glaucous and densely pubescent beneath, cut into thirty to forty oblong-lanceolate segments, 3/4in. to 1in. broad. Stem about 1ft. long, one-headed, densely pilose. Not very distinct from PAEONIA paradoxa. (B. R. 474; L. B. C. 1263.) PAEONIA Moutan.* Moutan Paeony. fl. various in colour, very large. May. Carpels small, numerous, densely pilose. l., leaflets entire at base, often cut in the upper part into oblong, acute segments, glabrous on both surfaces, moderately firm, not at all decurrent on the rachis. Stems shrubby, copiously branched. h. 3ft. Widely cultivated in China and Japan. 1789. Fig. 3 represents a single-flowered, and Fig. 4 a double-flowered, variety of this beautiful species. (B. M. 1154.) Garden varieties: Anneslei (T. H. S. vi. 482, 7), Banksii (A. B. R. 448; B. R. 379), Humei, papaveracea (A. B. R. 463; B. M. 2175; L. B. C. 547), Rawesii, and rosea (A. B. R. 373; L. B. C. 1035). PAEONIA officinalis (officinal).* fl., sepals unequal, the inner obtuse, the outer acute and leaf-like; petals dark crimson, much imbricated, obovate or nearly orbicular, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad; stamens 1/2in. long; anthers rather shorter than the filaments. May. Carpels two or three, ovoid, densely tomentose, 1in. long when mature. l. five or six to a stem, glabrous, paler beneath, the lowest with fifteen to twenty lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, acute, confluent leaflets, 1in. to 2in. broad. Stem stout, one-flowered, glabrous, 2ft. to 3ft. long. South Europe, 1548. The commonest species in gardens, especially in the double-flowered form. (B. M. 1784.). PAEONIA lobata is regarded by Mr. Baker as a dwarfer variety, with narrower and more numerous leaf segments. PAEONIA paradoxa (paradoxical). fl. on very short peduncles. May. l., lower ones cut up into from thirty to forty acute, confluent segments, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad, the largest not more than 1 1/2in. to 2in. long. Stem 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. high, with never more than a single flower. Otherwise like PAEONIA peregrina, of which it is "not in any broad sense more than a variety" (Baker). (S. B. F. G. 19.) PAEONIA peregrina (foreign). fl. on a short peduncle; inner sepals orbicular, 3/4in. to 1in. long, outer with leafy points; petals five to ten, bright crimson, 2in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad. May. Follicles two or three, erect-arcuate, 1/2in. in diameter; stigmas folded together. l. five or six to a stem, dull green and glabrous above, pale and pilose beneath, the lower with fifteen to twenty oblong, acute segments, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, the longest 3in. to 4in. long. Stem 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, one-headed, pubescent towards the top. South Europe, 1629. Common in cultivation. (B. M. 1050.) SYN. PAEONIA pubens (B. M. 2264). PAEONIA pubens (downy). A synonym of PAEONIA peregrina. PAEONIA Russi (Russ's). Follicles finely pubescent. l. thin in texture; segments ovate or oblong. Stem 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long. Otherwise like PAEONIA corallina, of which, according to Mr. Baker, it is scarcely more than a variety. Sicily, &c. PAEONIA tenuifolia (slender-leaved).* fl. solitary, erect, surrounded by the crowded, reduced upper leaves; sepals orbicular, 1/2in. to 3/4in. long; petals dark crimson, elliptic-cuneate, 1 1/2in. long; anthers shorter than the filaments. June. Follicles two or three, not more than 1/2in. long. l. ten to twelve, cut up into very numerous, linear, one nerved, confluent segments, less than one line broad. Stems one-headed, glabrous, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, densely leafy up to the flower. Root-tubers fascicled, with creeping stolons. Transylvania to the Crimea, &c., 1765. A well-known and very distinct type. (B. M. 926.) PAEONIA hybrida and PAEONIA laciniata are varieties with broader leaf-segments. The double state, a handsome garden plant, is shown PAEONIA triternata (triternate). fl., outer sepals leaf-like, inner obtuse; petals six to eight, rose-red, obovate, 2in. to 2 1/2in. long. May. Follicles two to four, densely tomentose, spreading from the base when mature. l. five or six to a stem, glabrous, pale green above, glaucous beneath, with broad, oblong or obovate leaflets, obtusely rounded at the apex, with a small cusp, not confluent at the base; the side ones often 2in. broad, and the end one obovate or orbicular, 3in. to 4in. long and broad. Stem 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, one-flowered, glabrous. Tubers thick. Caucasus, &c., 1790. Allied to PAEONIA corallina. SYN. PAEONIA daurica. (A. B. R. 486; B. M. 1441.) PAEONIA Wittmanniana (Wittmann's).* fl. borne on a short peduncle; sepals orbicular, the longest over 1in. long; petals orbicular, yellowish-white, 2in. long; filaments longer than the small anthers. April. Carpels glabrous, with a small, spirally-curved stigma. l., lower ones biternate, with usually not more than three segments in each division; leaflets thin, often 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad, ovate, acute, dark green and glabrous above, hairy below. Stems-one-headed. h. 2ft. Caucasus and North Persia, 1842. A well-marked species, but rare in cultivation.(B. M. 6645). Varieties. These are very numerously represented in both of the sections to which reference has been made in the foregoing cultural notes. Many produce flowers of an extraordinary size, and colours range in them through almost every variety and shade; they are also fragrant, and well adapted for travelling in a cut state. Subjoined is a selection, which comprises many of the best sorts: Double Herbaceous Paeonies. June-flowering (varieties of PAEONIA albiflora). AMABILIS, satin rose; AMBROISE VERSCHAFFELT, rich purple, fragrant; ATROSANGUINEA, purple, golden anthers; AUGUSTE VAN GEERT, rose-pink; BELLE DOUAISIENNE, white, laced purple; BLANC, pure white; BOSSUET, magenta-rose; BUCKII, intense crimson-purple, rose scented; CARNEA ELEGANS, delicate pink, shading to white; CHARLES BINDER, rich magenta-rose; DECAISNE, deep rose, fragrant; DECANDOLLE, fine rose, shading to pink, fragrant; DR. BRITONNAU, satin rose, centre white; DUCHESSE DE MODENA, rose, centre blush; ECLATANTE, rich purple; EDULIS, white; EDULIS FRAGRANS, deep rich rose; ETENDARD DU GRAND HOMME, brilliant rose, very large, rose-scented; FESTIVA MAXIMA, pure white, fragrant; FORMOSA, blush, centre primrose; FULGIDA, deep rose; GENERAL BEDEAU, rose, centre sulphur, very fragrant; GLOBOSA, deep pink, centre florets primrose; GLOIRE DE DOUAI, deep crimson, golden anthers; GRANDIFLORA NIVEA, white, tinged rose; HENRI IV., blush pink; HUMEI, scarlet-crimson, very dwarf; INCOMPARABILIS, rose, shaded purple, fragrant; INSIGNIS, rose-carmine, rose-scented; ISIDORE LEROY, crimson-purple; LOUIS VAN HOUTTE, purple-crimson; MADAME BOUCHALET AINE, rich purple-crimson, fragrant; MADAME CALLOT, white, tinged rose, rose-scented; MADAME DE MONTIJOU, blush, centre white; MADAME SCHMIDT, purple-crimson, showy golden anthers, fragrant; MADAME VILMORIN, blush, centre white; NOBILISSIMA, full deep rose; PAPAVERAEFLORA, white, centre primrose; PRINCE CHARLES, rose-purple, centre chamois; PRINCE PROSPER, purple-magenta, golden anthers; PULCHERRIMA, guard petals blush, centre white, rose scented; PURPUREA SUPERBA, rich glowing purple, fragrant; REINE DES ROSES, guard petals deep rose, centre chamois-rose; ROSEA MAXIMA, pink, inner florets white, tinged rose; ROSEA PRAECOX, rose, early flowering; THE QUEEN, blush rose, very large, rose-scented; TRIOMPHE DE L'EXPOSITION DE LILLE, rich purple, fragrant. Hardy European Paeonies. May-flowering (varieties of PAEONIA officinalis). DOUBLE ANEMONE-FLOWERED, large, rich crimson; petals somewhat irregular. DOUBLE RED, flowers large, rich crimson; abundantly produced; a very old variety. DOUBLE ROSE, flowers opening full rose, and chauging to flesh colour; large and fine. DOUBLE WHITE, flowers large, opening pale pink, and changing to pure white. Moutan, or Tree-Paeonies. May-flowering (varieties of PAEONIA Moutan). ALBA LILACINA, ATROPURPUREA, BEAUTY OF CANTON, BLANCHE NOISETTE, CANDIDA, CARNEA PLENA, COUNTESS OF CRAWFORD, ELIZABETHA, EMPEROR OF CHINA, GLORIA BELGARUM, INCARNATA PLENA, LACTEA, MANDARIN, MAXIMA PLENA, OCELLATA, OSIRIS, PRIDE OF HONGKONG, REINE DES FLEURS, ROBERT FORTUNE, SALMONEA, SNOWBALL, SOUVENIR DE GAND, SPECIOSISSIMA, STELLA, TRIOMPHE DE MILAN, VERSICOLOR PLENA, VILLE DE VERSAILLES, VIOLACEA PURPUREA, VIVID, ZENOBIA.