People
have always loved flowers, and peonies are among the most highly regarded,
with petals of the finest silk and often a distinctive perfume. Their large,
flamboyantly coloured blooms are attractive and photogenic, ideal for
celebrations. Beyond the flowers, the colourful new shoots, described by
landscape gardener Gertrude Jekyll as ‘dear rosy snouts’, add value and
interest to any garden. Peonies appear in the art and literature of China,
Korea, Japan, the classical Mediterranean and medieval Europe. Charles
Darwin, as a child, was sent to count the peonies in his family garden, his
first exercise in scientific data collection. Superbly illustrated, and
covering cultural as well as botanical aspects, this book is an ideal
companion for plant lovers wanting to learn more about this fascinating
flower.