Peony Author and Breeder  

Listing last updated on Sun Aug 2025

United States

Prof. Arthur Percy Saunders (March 22, 1869 London, Ontario - August 14, 1953)
Canadian-born long-time professor of chemistry (1900-1939) and former dean (1910 - 1926) of Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, Saunders began hybridizing peonies in 1917 using species which he had imported from Europe -- P. lactiflora x P. macrophylla. Saunders started selling plants by mail in 1931. After his death, his daughter Silvia Saunders (see) continued the nursery.
Prof. Saunders was Director of the American Peony Society 1909-1923 and 1925-1928.
The Professor and the Peony