Peonies [Hardcover]

Allan Rogers (Author), Linda Engstrom (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1995

Al Rogers has been growing peonies since childhood, and this book represents more than 60 years' experience. Peonies are treasured by gardeners for their longevity, lush foliage, rich fragrance, and landscape uses. Captured within these pages are not only the flavor, charm, and history of the peony and its hybridizers but also expert information about the genus "Paeonia" and its many cultivars. The species are discussed, and from the thousand-odd listed cultivars of both tree and herbaceous peonies, Rogers singles out the truly superior for recommendation, along with some introductions that show great promise. Enthusiastic amateurs and professionals alike will be thrilled with the complete and detailed information supplied in "Peonies" -- an important book for any gardener's library.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Rogers has specialized in peonies, from heritage plants to modern hybrids, for more than 20 years at his nursery, Caprice Farm. So it is not surprising that he provides an expansive treatment of the flowers in a guide full of counsel on growing and caring for them. Rogers begins with horticultural history, emphasizing the work of men and women who have hybridized peonies, and then describes different forms and recommends cultivars. In passing, he muses on peony lore, discusses propagation techniques, and advises business-minded readers on how to produce plants as a commercial venture. Neither merely for the home gardener nor strictly for professionals, the clearly and astutely written book is for all plant lovers. Alice Joyce

Review

I would suggest that those gardeners, and even would-be Peony nursery proprietors will find a rich source of sensible practical information that will do much to optimise the chances for success with this beautiful, much admired, greatly desired and often frustrating genus. -- Trevor Nottle "Australian Horticulture" (02/01/2000)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press, Incorporated (November 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881923176
• ISBN-13: 978-0881923179
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #822,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Peony Book You Want, December 9, 1999

By 

Robert Johnson (Bend, OR, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Peonies (Hardcover)

This book was the first of a spate of peony books written over the last few years, and is generally considered to still be the best and most useful by most folks in the peony growing comunity. It is a comprehensive overview of history, hybridisers past and present, and current cultivars of interest. England is producing some attractive books, but the truth of the matter is that the United States is where the "action" has been for the last half century as far as peony growing and hybridising is concerned. There has been a spectacular increase in interest in these beautiful flowers over the last decade, and Al Rogers' book will surely be remembered as a classic part of this era of re-discovery in years to come.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mine of information, October 21, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Peonies (Hardcover)

This is the peony book I was waiting for: easy to read, packed with practical information, with lots of wonderful color plates and nice drawings. Every peony question will be answered in reading this great book that will satisfy both the casual gardener or the peony specialist...

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Informative, October 27, 1999

By 

Michael Rosendahl "Mikepr" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Peonies (Hardcover)

Allen Rogers answers anything you would want to know about growing peonies. From the beginner to the experienced, you will find information that will help you succeed in your cultivation of these wonderful plants.