. Florists' review [microform]. Floriculture. JULY 10. 1919. The Florists^ Review 15 they really love the flower, and find in it a fascination that cannot be resisted. A Few Words of History. The peony is a true aristocrat of the hardy garden. I do not apply this as a mere phrase, for it is true in every sense, both as to its lineage and its associa- tions. In China it is said that the tree peony has been their chief pride and <rlory for nearly 1,500 years. This Asiatic peony must not be confused with the old-fashioned, early-flowering red peony of our grandmothers' gardens, which be- longs
. Florists' review [microform]. Floriculture. JULY 10. 1919. The Florists^ Review 15 they really love the flower, and find in it a fascination that cannot be resisted. A Few Words of History. The peony is a true aristocrat of the hardy garden. I do not apply this as a mere phrase, for it is true in every sense, both as to its lineage and its associa- tions. In China it is said that the tree peony has been their chief pride and <rlory for nearly 1,500 years. This Asiatic peony must not be confused with the old-fashioned, early-flowering red peony of our grandmothers' gardens, which be- longs to an entirely distinct species, officinalis, a native of Europe, the early history of which is intricately woven with a haze of superstition, allegory and myth. Its magical charms were sapposed to ward off witchcraft, and the name peony is derived from a Dr. Peon, who used its roots as medicine. The modern Chinensis peony has only l)een known in Europe a little more than half a century. It was under the care of M. Jacques, gardener to King Louis Philippe, that one of the first collec- tions was formed, and some of the first of the fine varieties of today originated. M. Jacques' collection was inherited by his nephew, M. Victor Verdier, who raised a number of fine seedlings. The collection of the Comte de Cussy, an amateur collector, was inherited by M. Calot, of Douai, who continued to raise seedlings till 1872, when his collection ])assed into the hands of M. Crousse, of Nancy, who made careful selections from the Calot seedlings and sent them out annually until 1879. From 1882 until 1899, Crousse sent out seedlings of his own raising. The Calot-Crousse varie- ties are noted for their uniform high quality, raising the standard of excel- lence to a height that has never been surpassed, unless it be by the splendid varieties introduced in recent years by that greatest of all the world's hybrid- izers, Victor Lemoine, whose establish- ment at Nancy is at Crousse's old place. Al
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecad, booksubjectfloriculture, bookyear1912
