What flowers go with peonies?

Peonies are a timeless favorite thanks to their large, fragrant flowers and strong presence. Their lush blooms make a statement on their own, but when combined with other perennials and shrubs, they truly stand out. The right companion plants will highlight their beauty, fill in gaps after flowering, and ensure your garden remains colorful and full of life all season long. In this blog, you will discover which flowers go best with peonies in the garden.

Why combine peonies with other flowers?

Peonies bloom for a few weeks in late spring or early summer. After that, their foliage remains attractive, but the garden can quickly lose color if you don’t combine them with plants that bloom earlier or later. By planting complementary species, you can create a balanced border with continuous interest. Good companions also help maintain healthy growth by improving air circulation and keeping weeds down.

Best companion plants for peonies

Peonies prefer sunny locations and well-draining soil. They thrive when surrounded by perennials and shrubs that enjoy the same growing conditions. Below are some excellent choices that complement peonies both visually and practically.

1. Irises

Irises bloom slightly earlier than peonies and bridge the transition into their flowering season. Their upright, sword-shaped leaves contrast beautifully with the soft, rounded peony blooms. Together, they create a classic and elegant garden look.

2. Delphiniums

Delphiniums add height and structure with their tall flower spikes. Their blue and purple shades pair wonderfully with pink, white, or coral peonies. They also attract pollinators, which benefit the entire garden.

3. Catmint (Nepeta)

Catmint forms a soft carpet around peonies and provides a lovely contrast with its violet-blue flowers and gray-green foliage. It also helps deter pests such as aphids, keeping your peonies healthy naturally.

4. Alliums

Alliums add architectural interest with their globe-shaped flowers on tall stems. They bloom around the same time as peonies or slightly earlier, creating a dynamic, layered effect in the border.

5. Daylilies

When peonies have finished blooming, daylilies take over. Their colorful trumpet-shaped flowers ensure that the garden stays vibrant through summer. Their long, arching leaves also blend well with the peony’s lush foliage.

6. Hostas

In partially shaded areas, hostas are ideal companions. Their large, decorative leaves fill the space after peonies have finished flowering, maintaining structure and freshness in the planting bed.

7. Salvia and geraniums

Both salvia and hardy geraniums bloom for long periods and combine beautifully with peonies. They provide a lower layer of color beneath the taller peony stems and attract bees and butterflies.

Tips for designing a garden with peonies

When designing a border or garden section around peonies, consider their growth habit and blooming time. Peonies can grow quite wide, so give them enough space to develop. Combine them with perennials that fill in the space between plants but do not compete for nutrients. Adding mulch around the base helps retain moisture and keeps weeds at bay.

Mix different leaf shapes and heights to create a natural and balanced look. Plant taller species such as delphiniums or alliums at the back, place peonies in the middle, and use low-growing plants like catmint or geraniums at the front. This layered arrangement adds depth, structure, and visual harmony to your garden.

Groot & Groot: order peonies in bulk

Would you like to know more about what flowers go with peonies? Or are you curious about the prices of our peonies or peony roots? Feel free to contact us. Groot & Groot supplies peony flowers and peony cuttings in wholesale quantities. We supply worldwide to professional growers and (export) wholesalers. At Groot & Groot, we are able to grow peonies all year round, so we are not seasonal. You can email us at info@grootgroot.nl or call us at 0228-208050. We would be happy to help you.