Book Review: The Peony by Alice Harding



The Book of the Peony by Alice Harding
This is a 1985 reprint of a book first published in 1917, updated with a section of color photos. One of the photos is of the 'Alice Harding' peony, a lovely white, named after the author for her contributions to peony history and culture. In the book she covers the history, mythology, cultivation and propagation of both herbaceous and tree peonies in a manner that is infomative and easy to follow. At the end she appends a paper from 1915 by Professor H. H. Whetzel delivered to the Massa chusetts Horticultural Society. This latter was a bit of a downer, I must confess, describing the icky things that can happen to peonies. He says the claim that peonies are free from disease is a "fable," but I think he's a bit of an alarmist. In my 30 years of growing peonies I have had very few problems with them, and mine have survived both my enthusiam and benign neglect.
I highly recommend this book for both the history and growing infomation it provides. There is also a wonderful list of cultivars, some still available, that has me wondering where I can fit in another peony bed.

The Peony Walk back to front, facing toward the street, with St. Francis on the half shell at upper left..  The foxgloves have started blooming as well.

The Peony Walk with Edulis Superba, Monsieur Jules Elie, Reine Hortense, Virginia Mary, Amabilis, and an unknown white that was a gift from a friend.  Not knowing the name of something drives me bats.  Like Anne of Green Gables I like things to have "handles."

Peony Walk border: Monsieur Jules Elie, Reine Hortense, Virginia Mary, Amabillis, unknown white.  The orange poppy back there was supposed to be the salmon pink Princess Victoria Louise.  I dug it up last year but obviously missed some.
In the front garden clematis Ville de Lyon, and peonies Karl Rosenfeld, Festiva Maxima, Bunker Hill and Moonstone 

Unknown pinks in the front border, with rose Tess of the D'Ubervilles against the house.

Today from VioletThyme

A New Camera for Peony Season

The front garden.  Ox-eye daisies, peonies, and roses.                  My camera died this spring, most inconveniently during spring ...