"In this extensively researched, highly informative book, Gail Harland presents an entertaining and fascinating guide to a group of one of our favourite garden plants, peonies. No stone is left unturned in this wide-ranging, beautifully illustrated account, which describes not only aspects of their biology and cultivation, but also highlights their cultural significance in herbal medicine, literature, art, and music."--Richard J. Gornall, University of Leicester
"Brilliant . . . Gail Harland's research is impeccable, her dialogue with the reader is comfortable and the photographs are utter confection for the eye. This will accomplish for Paeonia what Anna Pavord's The Tulip did for the appreciation of the singular impact on our collective horti(cultural) identity by a single genus of plants."--Daniel J. Hinkley, author of 'Windcliff: A Story of People, Plants, and Gardens'