What's in a Name? Newsletter Archive
killerplants.com | What's in a Name? | Archive Most Recent | Free Newsletter Signup

What does peony have to do with poetry?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

May 2, 2003

Series: | 1 |  | 2 | 

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.

Killer Picks: Lifetime Peony Collections, Sorbet Peony—>Click here.

During the Middle Ages, peonies (genus: Paeonia) were magical plants, feared as much as they were loved for their medicinal uses. John Gerard believed most peony legends were nonsense, but he also felt the plants were valuable treatments. He mentioned, "...these herbs tooke the name of Peionie, or Paean...who first found out and taught the knowledge of this herbe unto posteritie."

Peony was especially a "remedie for those that are troubled in the night with the disease called Ephialtes or night Mare, which is as though a heavy burthen were laid upon them, and they oppressed therewith, as if they were overcome by their enemies, or overprest with some great weight...." (The Herbal or General Historie of Plants, 1633 edition)

advertisement
Apollo

Apollo Giclee Print
Buy Giclee Print at AllPosters.com

In the earliest Greek legends, Paeëon was a deity and physician to the Olympian gods. In later myths, Paean or Paian was a role or responsibility as a healer or deliverer. Paean became a surname; when people called upon the goddess Athena for healing, they made offerings to her as Athena Paeonia.

The Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology (1902) states, "The name was...used also in the more general sense of deliverer from any evil or calamity and was thus applied to Apollo (Sun god) and Thanatos (Death), who are conceived as delivering men from the pain and sorrows of life.

"From Apollo...the name Paean was transferred to the song dedicated to him, that is, to hymns chanted...for the purpose of averting evil, and to warlike songs...sung before and during battle." By the 1600s, the hymn of Apollo lent its name to a style of poetry. The paeon was a verse with a metrical foot of four syllables, the first of which was emphasized.


The Heartland Peony Society has a great website with a gallery, descriptions, and general information about peonies. To learn more about these plants or to join the society, click on the link:

http://www.peonies.org/

 

Series: | 1 |  | 2 | 

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

 

Suggested Reading:

Miss Willmott's ghost What's in a Name? - March 7, 2003
How do alligators benefit prairie iris? Renfield's Garden - March 31, 2004
How does this iris walk? Weird Plants - August 23, 2001
How did a flower cause an economic disaster? Plants that Changed History - April 2, 2002
Why were peonies considered dangerous? Herbal Folklore - April 21, 2003
What is the Apothecary's rose? Herbal Folklore - September 24, 2001

Killer Savings Links:

Breck's Bulbs -$25 off—>Click here.

Gurney's Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.

Henry Fields Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.

Spring Hill Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.

Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.

Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.

 

Unique Professionally Designed Gardens

Springhill Nursery®

Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you.  Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!


Free $25 off any order of $50 or more!
    

Lifetime Peony Collection

Breck's®

You'll love Lifetime Peonies for planting in those special spots where you've always wanted a dramatic floral show. You will receive one each of:

Sarah Bernhardt
Felix Supreme
Festiva Maxima
Sorbet
Pillow Talk

Plant 2-3' apart in full sun or partial shade.
Click here - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs  [More Perennials...]


$25 off $50
    

Sorbet Peony

Breck's®

Paeonia lactifolia 'Sorbet' - The unusual pink and white 5-7" double blooms of this recently introduced Peony are as delectable as an elegant dessert. Fragrant flowers provide a breathtaking display when they grace the plant the first summer after planting. Handsome foliage turns reddish in fall. Hardy, increasing in beauty year after year. Plant 3' apart in full sun to partial shade. 2-3 eye divisions.

Click here - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs  [More Perennials...]


$25 off $50
    

Breck’s® Lifetime Peony Collection

Breck's®

Breck’s Lifetime Peonies share the classic peony’s heritage of long life and seemingly indestructible beauty. More so…our new hybrids offer even better reliability and even more impressive blooms! Each offer includes one each of:

  • Moonstone: A sensational rose-type double with billowing petals of softest pink which fades to white. 6-7'' diameter, fully double flowers give off an enticing scent like rose geraniums. Red mottled stems add interest all season. Grows 32-34'' tall with a similar spread.
  • Pink Parfait: Delightfully fragrant double flowers are 6-7'' in diameter. Sumptuous petals are dark pink with contrasting silver edges. In early spring the foliage is dark purple—stunning in combination with spring-flowering bulbs. Extremely strong stems. Grows 34-36'' tall with a similar spread.
  • Barrington Belle: Magnificent, large cherry-red flowers 5'' in diameter. Each bloom exhibits a large central tuft of red or pink staminoides edged in gold. Sturdy stems are great for cutting. Grows 30-32" tall with similar spread.
  • Top Brass: Ivory petals form a dense whorl on these fully double, 5-7'' diameter blooms. Towards the centre shine subtle hues of bright yellow. Each massive flower exudes a sweet, honeylike perfume. Grows 30-32" tall with a 24-26" spread.
  • Santa Fe: Large, round flower buds burst open to reveal 6'' diameter fully double flowers. Cerise-pink outer petals surround creamy-white interior petals. Grows 30'' tall with a similar spread.

5 Peonies in all (top-quality 2-3 eye divisions)

Click here - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs  More Perennials

    
killerplants Recommended Seed and Nursery Stores
Gurney's for your plants and seeds! Seed and Nursery Co. since 1892!
Michigan Bulb Everything a gardener needs! Breck's Bulbs Since 1818

 BACK TO TOP


 

kp  Recent What's in a Name? Updates:
kp  Other Recent Updates:

 

 

 

 

 

© 2001 - 2009 C. Vandaveer. All rights reserved.