THE SAUNDERS hybrids consist of crosses not only between P. albiflora and P. officinalis (the cross responsible for some 95% of American hybrid peonies) but between many other species as well. These species have long been, and many still are, unknown to American gardens, and reached Clinton only through the generosity of Botanical Gardens and private collectors in Europe, particularly of course in England.
THE HYBRIDS THUS CREATED have made a very considerable contribution of hardy, lovely and entirely new plants for our gardens, they have lengthened forward into the second half of May the season of easily grown and beautiful peonies, and have introduced new colors, especially the brilliant pinks of the lobata hybrids, and the yellows and unique reds of the lutea hybrids.
BY THE TIME DR. SAUNDERS' life came to its close in 1953, there had either immigrated into his garden or been born here no less than 17,000 individual peony plants. Of these, the herbaceous hybrids comprise the very large proportion perhaps 14,000. And of these 14,000 there were eventually selected, as fine enough to name and offer to the public, about 165 varieties: slightly over 1 per cent. Some of these were later withdrawn, superseded by finer kinds. In this final catalog are listed the 120 that remain in more or less constant demand, together with the seventy-odd lutea hybrids that we have long offered.
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES, for those interested, describe various aspects of Dr. Saunders' work;
HANDBOOK ON BREEDING ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn 11225, N.Y, Contains also an excellent article by
William Gratwick, "Hybridizing Tree peonies." ($1)
GARDEN JOURNAL, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx 10458, N.Y. (2 issues; May-June, and July-August, 1957 ($1 per issue).
BULLETINS OF AMERICAN PEONY SOCIETY, C. D, Pennell, Editor. 107 ½ W. Main St., Van Wert. Ohio ($1 each, when available);
No 84, Sept, 1941, A 10-page account by Dr. Saunders, of all hybrids having albiflora in their parentage, This includes about five-sixths of his herbaceous hybrids.
No 90, Jane 1943, "Plant Hybridizing" by Dr. Saunders
No 130, Sept. 1953, Tribute by John C. Wister, and an account of Dr. Saunders' life in the Society,
No 133, June 1954 Full account of herbaceous hybrids up to 1926 (Reprint from June 1926 bulletin)
No. 134, Sept. 1954, The Quadruple and the Lutea Hybrids, by Dr. Saunders, (Reprinted from Dec. 1945).
The Society's Handbook may also be had for 50 cents.
