Mimeo HO 75-3
Purdue University
Cooperative Extension Service
Lafayette, Indiana
THE PEONY-STATE FLOWER OF INDIANA*
E. R. Honeywell, Department of Horticulture
Most peonies grown in Indiana have been obtained by crossing the various forms of Paeonia albiflora. They originally came from China, Siberia and Japan. And there are records of their culture in China for over 2, 500 years. The oldest named variety in cultivation is believed to be Officinalis rubra plena, which has been widely grown for more than 2, 000 years.
The first varieties brought to Europe from China and later to the United States are believed to have been Fragrance (1805) and Whitleyi (Queen Victoria, 1808). These are still extensively grown throughout Indiana. Many have been growing undisturbed and flowering with unfailing regularity for more than half a century. So the peony is truly an oriental plant that has become well adjusted to its new environment and is a common favorite in most Indiana gardens.

Horticultural Classification
All the common cultivated varieties of herbaceous peonies belong to the species albiflora and are generally classified according to flower type as follows:

1. Single: One or two rows of guard petals with many stamens in the middle. Three to five carpels may be visible.

2.	Japanese: A transition type between the singles and doubles. There are one or more rows of guard petals, and the stamens are only partially transformed into short, narrow petals which are sometimes referred to as "petaloids" or "staminodes."
3. Anemone: Japanese and anemone types are frequently considered in the same class. In the anemones, however, the filaments have developed into narrow petals or petaloids to a greater extent than in the Japanese.

4. Semi-double: No true distinction between the true guard petals and many of the petaloids. Petaloids may be in all stages of development, and a few pollen bearing stamens may be scattered among the petals or petaloids.

5. Double: Fully double flowers reveal no carpels or pollen-bearing stamens. The guard petals are not distinguishable from the fully developed petaloids.

Varieties
There are hundreds of varieties, and many new ones are being developed each year. American hybridizers have made outstanding contributions, including: (1) blending tones and harmonizing colors, (2) developing new flower shapes or forms, (3) improving flower size, number and lasting qualities and (4) extending the flowering period or season.
A list of the 100 most popular peonies and their classification, color and year of origination is given on page 3.

What and Where to Order Peonies
The importance of securing good plants, properly labeled, packed and delivered cannot be over emphasized. The small saving