Article (magazine)  (Jan 1955)  Page(s) 12.  
 
Robert Fortune, the great explorer of the Royal Horticultural Society, made four trips to China and introduced many fine plants to England. In 1846, he brought twenty-five of the finest tree peonies ever to come out of China. Among these were 'Atrosanguinea,' 'Berenice,' 'Bijou de Chusan,' 'Dr. Bowring,' 'Globosa,' 'Glory of Shanghai,' 'Lord Macartney,' 'Pride of Hongkong,' 'Robert Fortune,' 'Samarang,' and 'Zenobia.' These were enthusiastically received and quickly propagated, so that both British and continental nurseries cataloged them in some quantity in the 1860's.

Website/Catalog  (1924)  Page(s) 152.  
 
Pivoines en arbre...Zenobia.- Gr. fl. violet pourpre bleuâtre.

Website/Catalog  (1893)  Page(s) 42.  
 
Tree Pæonies.  Pæonia Arborea.
This beautiful group of shrubs is among the oldest of introductions from Japan, but magnificent new varieties have been added from year to year until we have a long list of wonderful forms.  They are quite distinct from the herbaceous section, and have shades of color not found in the latter; and when once established form compact bushes, which in spring are covered with the gigantic blooms.  These pæonies are a little tender in exposed situations north of Boston; but if planted in a sheltered, warm location, and protected during the first two winters by a covering of pine boughs, or other loose material, will eventually establish themselves, and form one of the most decorative features of the garden.  Like the herbaceous kinds, they enjoy rich soil, and the blooms last longer and come finer when partially sheltered from the hot sun.  They are well worth the little trouble entailed in their cultivation.  We can offer strong plants of the leading and most hardy kinds; but as they are slow and difficult of propagation, this fact will account for their relatively higher cost over the herbaceous kinds.  Having secured a large stock of these beautiful plants, we are enabled to offer them at lower prices than ever before.  2 year plants, 75 cents each; 3 year plants, $1.00 each.
Zenobia.  Large blossom, violet purple, shaded bluish; a full centre of golden-yellow stamens.

Magazine  (22 Jan 1887)  Page(s) 77.  
 
The Tree Pæony. 
...For the last twenty years or longer we have had to look to our French neighbours for new sorts of Tree Pæony, for since they have taken the work of hybridising and raising seedlings in hand they have supplied us with all the finest sorts.  Until now the list is long- too long, in fact, for names are given where very shadowy differences exist.
List of select Varieties.
Zenobia, purple-crimson

Magazine  (1874)  Page(s) 25.  
 
Mr. W. C. Barry... presented the following report:
On Tree and Herbaceous Pæonies.
Tree Pæonies fill up a blank between deciduous flowering-trees and flowering shrubs.  In mixed borders they are invaluable, as well when grown as single specimens on the lawn.  They are quite hardy, but slight protection greatly improves them. [...]
To assist those who desire to form a collection we name the following choice sorts.  Any description, however complete, would fail to do them justice, so we give only the distinguishing colors. 
Zenobia. — A large fine white variety.

Website/Catalog  (1867)  Page(s) 46.  
 
Assortiment de pivoines en arbre, cultivé dans notre établissement. Variétés à fleurs de pêche et lilas..
Alexandre de Humboldt. Pétales lilas, panachés à la base de pourpre et de carmin; périgynion pourpre.

Magazine  (1863)  Page(s) 292.  
 
Choix des meilleures variétés de Pivoines en arbre, nouvellement introduites....
Zenobia ; fleur pleine, violet foncé.

Website/Catalog  (1861)  Page(s) 59.  
 
New Chinese Tree Paeonias introduced by Mr. R. Fortune.
The following magnificent tree-like peonies surpass by the gloss of their colours and the size of their blooms all variety known to-date and distinguish themselves namely also by their partly pure white, partly dark red colouring from all known varieties.
81. Zenobia, dark purple with blue shading, double....3 Prussian Thalers 15 Neugroschen.

Website/Catalog  (1860)  Page(s) 28.  
 
Chinese Tree Pæonies. — Pæonia Moutan.
These are the most splendid and showy of all flowering shrubs, and among the most rare.
The flowers are mostly fragrant, and all are double, unless denoted otherwise.  They are perfectly hardy, and will withstand the winters of our most northern States and the Canadas.  They bloom in May, ten to fifteen days before the Chinese Herbaceous varieties.
The following are distinct new Chinese Varieties obtained by Robert Fortune; and, as they are the most rare and valuable varieties, the prices will be regulated according to their size.
141.  Zenobia.

Magazine  (1855)  Page(s) 33.  
 
MOUTAN PAEONIES INTRODUCED FROM CHINA.
BY MESSRS. STANDISH AND NOBLE, BAGSHOT NUBSEBY.
Of the many remarkable plants imported by us from China, these, if judged by the size and beauty of their flowers, are among the most attractive. In the magnitude of their individual blossoms, in the diversity and richness of their colours, as well as in the profusion in which they are produced, nothing remains to be desired. The following sketch will afford an idea of their general characters. First, of colour: of white there are examples unsurpassed in intensity and clearness by any other flower, not excepting even the old double white Camellia. Of rose colours there are many shades, as well as of purples, and one rivalling the richness of the Tuscan rose. Then there is a pale blush, light red, deep red, salmon colour, primrose, peach colour, and crimson; with various other tints and combinations of these already mentioned. Some of the light-coloured ones have the bases of their petals deeply stained with red or purple; others are delicately shaded. Most of the flowers are very double; some are, however, only semi-double, the latter generally have the petals stained as described. In shape many are finely cupped; more resemble the finest rose, and others have anemone flowers. Of the last named, a white and a deep red are fine examples. In size, too, they are remarkable; some of the flowers produced last season, and from small plants, measured eight, ten, and twelve inches across.....
Zenobia, dark purple, tinted with blue.