Meloni

Grilli, 1843-1844, Catalogo Generale. Burnier & Grilli Catalogue, 1846-1847. No description. van Houtte Catalogue, 1846-1847, 27:27: Wide flower, peony form, carmine splashed brighter red. Berlèse, 1849, Annales de la Societe Central d’Horticulture de France, vol.40, p.239: Peony form 10-11 cm across, vivid carmine cherry red tinted orange-red. Outer petals are in 2 or 3 rows, very broad, cupped, rounded at base, interior petals numerous, in diverse forms, elongated, twisted and forming a ball-shaped centre. Originated by Mariani. Verschaffelt, 1852, Nouvelle Iconographie, Book VI, pl.II: The lovely cup-shape of its blossoms, the amplitude of its petals, their dainty pink colour, the many large stripes of more vivid shade, place it first amongst the striates. Franchetti, 1855, Collezione di Camelie, p.46: Very large flowers with numerous petals, deep glossy pink, sprinkled and streaked purple, many outer row of regular petals, the central petals gathered in a globular form. Originated in Italy by Negri. Orthographic error: ‘Melloni’. Franchetti gives Marchesa Isimbardi as a synonym but Verschaffelt illustrates and describes them both and they would appear separate cultivars.