A Tyranny of Peonies, The Life of A.P. Saunders, by Lois Girton
198 pages with 18 historic photos in black and white and over 500 full color photos, Published April 2025
Arthur Percy Saunders (1869–1953) almost single-handedly changed the course of peony breeding worldwide. Beginning in the early 1900s, Saunders, a professor of chemistry at Hamilton College in upstate New York, assembled species and cultivars of peonies from around the globe and systematically attempted all possible crosses between them. From his collection of over 17,000 different plants, he introduced about 180 herbaceous and 80 woody (tree) peonies. Treasured in their own right, they formed the breeding stock for hybridizers who succeeded him. Thus, Professor Saunders became known as the father of the modern peony.
Drawing on original notes preserved in the Hamilton College Archives and observations of his peonies in her own and other gardens, she presents her findings in detailed tables and over 500 full-color photographs. A Tyranny of Peonies, the Life of A.P. Saunders ensures his ground-breaking work will be remembered and celebrated.
