How to Grow Peonies
| Botanical Name | Paeonia officinalis |
| Common Name | Peony |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous perennial, or woody shrub |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun |
| Soil Type | Well-draining |
What plants go well with peonies?
After its stunning bloom, the peony’s bushy clump of handsome glossy green leaves lasts all summer and turns purplish-red or gold in the fall. Plant white peonies with yellow irises and forget-me-nots; set off pink peonies with blue Nepeta or violets Mixed borders: Peonies with columbines, baptisias, veronicas, and irises.
Are herbaceous peonies easy to grow?
And, although both plant forms be slow to get established, both tree peonies and herbaceous peonies can easily outlive a gardener. So, think of planting them to provide gorgeous blooms and foliage for generations to come.
What kind of grass grows with peonies?
Blue fescue and carex, two grass-like plants, look great with peonies. They grow in colorful varieties that complement pink and white peony blooms.
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What plants go with peonies?
16 Peony Companion Plants That Will Look Great in Your GardenBearded Irises. The Bearded Iris is a frilly flower that comes in a variety of colors — pink, red, purple, yellow, blue, and orange. ... Siberian Irises. ... Columbines. ... Alliums. ... Roses. ... Bleeding Heart. ... Foxgloves. ... Hydrangeas.More items...•
Can peonies be planted with other plants?
Perennials to grow along with peonies: Come again herbaceous plants are very fun to combine with peonies. Try selecting perennials like evergreen hellebores that bloom well before peonies emerge. Or pair peonies with perennials that bloom in summer.
Can lavender and peonies be planted together?
To help you plan your late spring or early summer garden, here is a plant combination, in shades of white and lavender, which includes 3 fabulous peonies that will bloom in succession: 'Miss America' (Early Midseason), 'Cheddar Charm' (Midseason) and 'Bowl of Cream' (Late Midseason).
What can I put around my peonies?
6:1313:17Best Peony Rings and How to Use Them 🧿️ Compare 5 ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut you might notice that the pin is this high. And the ring is down here this ring is actually tooMoreBut you might notice that the pin is this high. And the ring is down here this ring is actually too low for this peony. And when these things flower they're still going to tend to flop a little bit.
Can you plant hydrangeas next to peonies?
Can you plant peonies and hydrangeas together? As peonies flower earlier in the season than hydrangeas, they can make lovely planting companions. Once they are over, the plant will begin to die back, making way for hydrangeas to shine. Peonies thrive in full sun or partial shade, and prefer a sheltered spot.
How do you make peonies landscape?
Plant peonies as a single specimen in a planting bed or interspersed with other plants, such as evergreens and flowering perennials. Plant the peonies in the fall. Till the planting area deeply and work in several inches of compost and a dose of fertilizer with a high level of phosphorus a few days before planting.
Can you plant dahlias with peonies?
When considering what to plant with dahlias, consider mixing up annuals and some perennials such as roses, geraniums, peonies, and salvia.
How far apart should you plant peonies?
(Peonies often fail to bloom satisfactorily if the buds are more than two inches deep.) Fill the hole with soil, firming the soil around the plant as you backfill. Then water thoroughly. Space peonies three to four feet apart.
Should you mulch around peonies?
Peonies should be planted at the surface, with buds no more than two inches deep. Otherwise they may not bloom. If mulching heavily around plants, keep the mulch away from the base. If the buds turn brown and shrivel, they may have gray mold or botrytis disease.
Can I use a tomato cage for peonies?
You can buy peony support cages that are specifically made for flowers like peonies, like this one with stackable rings. Wire tomato plant supports (like these heavy duty wire tomato cages or these convenient foldable tomato cages) also work great to support a small peony plant.
Should peonies be supported?
Peony blooms are heavy. Without some type of support system, they'll open and then all it takes is one heavy spring rain or especially gusty day and they flop over. There are several different types of supports you can use.
How do you keep peonies blooming all summer?
As if by magic, Peonies can bloom for over 100 years. Each individual bloom lasts around 7-10 days, and each plant will give multiple blooms! The simple secret to extending Peony blooming in your garden is to plant varieties that flower at different times within the roughly 6-week period of proficient blooming.
Will companion plants keep my peonies from blooming?
They will if you let them. Partner plants should be pruned as regularly as needed and planted far enough away from your peonies that they won't int...
Which plants are best to partner with peonies?
A lot of perennials fare well when planted with peonies. Try daylilies, ornamental grass varieties, irises, and azaleas to start!
Can roses be planted next to peonies?
This question is expected due to the romantic nature of each flower, but yes, roses and peonies will work well together. Remember to give them ampl...
1 – Foxglove
Foxglove is a type of flower that some people refer to as a “spike bloomer.” Essentially, the flowers form along a spike and this looks a lot different than the round-shaped peony blooms.
2 – Ornamental Grass
Have you thought about planting ornamental grass types near your peonies? There are many different options that you could consider if you decide to use this idea.
3 – Daylilies
Daylilies might be some of the best flowers that you can plant alongside peonies. They have excellent flowers that are very attention-grabbing, and the texture of the leaves also stands out.
4 – Azaleas
Azaleas are types of shrubs that many people have in their yards. Having an evergreen shrub such as this in your yard can be very beneficial.
5 – Bearded Iris
The bearded iris is a plant that will make for an amazing companion to your peonies. This plant has frilly flowers that come in different colors such as orange, yellow, blue, pink, purple, and red.
6 – Columbines
Columbines are so gorgeous that it would be hard not to appreciate them. They’ll look really nice if you plant them alongside your peonies, and they’ll manage to stand out in some ways.
7 – Roses
Roses are obviously some of the most gorgeous flowers in the world. There’s a reason why people have elaborate rose gardens and why roses have become such an iconic romantic symbol.
What flowers do peonies like to bloom with?
Good spike bloomers that flower when peonies do include foxglove, delphinium, lupine and clustered bellflower (Campanula glomerata). False indigo (Baptisia australis) is another great spike bloomer for pairing with peony.
When do peonies bloom?
Take your peonies to the next level by pairing them with plants that really make them sparkle. Sarah Bernhardt peony opens fully double, pink blooms in late spring. The 8-inch blossoms offer a gentle fragrance. A peony easily steals the spotlight in the spring garden with its fabulous flowers.
What do daylilies do for peonies?
Daylilies bring two things to the peony party: leaf texture and flowers. Leaves of a daylily are long and strappy, providing an eye-catching contrast to the thicker shape of peony leaves. A daylily’s flowering window may overlap the peony somewhat, but when you plant the reblooming types (check the plant tag), it can unfurl flower buds all summer long. Daylilies that open flowers in lighter, brighter hues pop against the deep green of peony leaves. This daylily is Marque Moon, which opens up to 40 buds per flower stem. Other strap-leafed perennials that work well with peonies include Siberian iris and bearded iris.
What can interfere with flowering?
Anything that covers the crowns to a greater depth, including ground covers or mulch, can interfere with flowering. — Corral wandering stems. If you plant a perennial that tends to spread and form colonies, like achillea or coreopsis, remove stems that invade the peony clump as needed.
What to plant under a peony?
But, they won’t do much to hold up any floppy peony flowers. Ferns: Smaller evergreen deer fern are beautiful planted under peonies. As well, evergreen sword fern and shield ferns add interest to your garden while your peonies are dormant.
What to plant with peonies in summer?
Or pair peonies with perennials that bloom in summer. Peony summer and fall foliage makes a beautiful backdrop to go with summer blooming penstemons and agastaches. Or, plant taller summer perennials behind your peonies.
What color peonies bloom after geranium?
Choosing just the right thing to go with peonies can be tricky, but once you do, the look is amazing! Rosy-Red Peony blooming immediately after surrounding hardy geranium.
What color do peonies turn in fall?
Then, in autumn, peony stems change into oranges and reds. Too, they leave nothing to look at in winter. So, picking what to plant under peonies isn’t just about finding something that goes with the plant’s flower color. Instead, gardener’s face multiple challenges with pairing plants with peonies. Same peony in spring.
What are the two types of peonies?
With the herbaceous perennials, the top growth of the plant turns color and dies seasonally. But, don’t worry. The plant should be alive and well under ground. The second kind of peonies are the tree forms.
When do peonies bloom?
And, of course, those powder-fragrant peony blooms in mid-spring are unparalleled. But, because herbaceous peonies change colors throughout the growing season, planting under your peonies can be challenging. That’s because they emerge with red stems that fade to green.
Can I plant perennials under peonies?
Because herbaceous peonies like their crown buds exposed, ground covers and spreading perennials may not be good to plant under your peonies. For instance, in my own garden, I inherited beautiful herbaceous peonies planted by gardeners who came before.
What shrubs go well with peonies?
Dark glossy leaved shrubs go well with peonies. Since peonies die back in winter it is a good idea to place evergreen plant material around them. Japanese aucuba (Aucuba serratufolia) is a 5- to 6-foot shrub that has similar serrated foliage. Camellia flowers blend well with the large flower heads of peony.
What to plant around peonies?
When they die back in winter they can leave a sizable hole in the garden. Planting low growing evergreen ground-covers around them will help. Wild ginger (Asarum) has heart-shaped evergreen leaves and exotic purple flowers. Ginger is delicate and elegant so it compliments the glossy peony foliage, but will not in interfere with the peonies root space. Star jasmine looks nice twining through peonies but would eventually overpower them. Instead grow a smaller version of hardy jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum).
What ferns are good for peonies?
Glossy-leaved ferns such as Korean rock fern ( Polystichum tsus-simense), or Japanese tassel fern ( Polystichum polyblepharum) are also good choices. Hellebores are a great match since they bloom before the peonies and need the same protection from afternoon sun.
How to make peonies bloom longer?
Bulbs with Peonies. To lengthen the bloom season, plant early bulbs around your peonies. Try s cattering snow drops (Galanthus) around them. Snow drops multiply over time and are elegant little flowers. Use them in an all white garden with white peony, white daffodil and white tulips.
When do peonies bloom?
Peonies have a formal appearance and do well in front yard plantings. The foliage emerges in the spring and the flowers bloom in early summer.
Do peonies bloom every year?
Peonies (Paeonia) live a very long time. Once they are happy they will bloom reliably every year. They do not like to be bothered once established so the goal is to create a more permanent planting plan. When deciding what to plant with your peonies, choose plants that will also remain awhile.
Does ginger interfere with peonies?
Ginger is delicate and elegant so it compliments the glossy peony foliage, but will not in interfere with the peoni es root space. Star jasmine looks nice twining through peonies but would eventually overpower them. Instead grow a smaller version of hardy jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum).
What color are peonies?
Peonies and Companion Plants - Gold & Deep Red Theme. To help you plan your late spring or early summer garden, here is a plant combination, in shades of golden-yellow and rich red, which includes 3 fabulous peonies that will bloom in succession. Read More.
What color peonies should I plant in late spring?
To help you plan your late spring or early summer garden, here is a plant combination, in shades of pink and soft blue , which includes 4 fabulous peonies that will bloom in succession. Read More.
What color flowers are good for a meadow?
This romantic and delicate planting includes mostly plants that are chalk and lime tolerant. Ranging from creamy white to blush and deepening to clarets and blues in the meadow, their soft colors create a sense of exquisite tranquillity and deep relaxation. A wonderful way to celebrate late spring and early summer.
What flowers are in the English style border?
This English-style border brims with gorgeous blooms such as scarlet peonies, soft pastel roses, purple salvias and tall spikes of Digitalis purpurea. More than enough to make the garden sing from late spring to fall.
What is the best way to plant peonies?
Peonies brighten the early and mid-spring landscape with their showy, large, fragrant flowers. When planning your garden, select a bright, sunny spot to place your peonies and choose beneficial, companion plants to grow alongside them. Seek out attractive additions to your peonies’ planting area.
When do peonies bloom?
Plants prefer similar growing conditions and bloom from spring through fall, complementing showy peony blooms with its small, lavender-blue flowers in the early part of the growing season and maintaining visual appeal in the planting area once peonies die back.
What color are Nandina peonies?
The long-lasting white flowers and glossy, evergreen foliage on Nandina plants make them an attractive companion for peonies. The small shrubs have green foliage that changes to a reddish-purple during the fall, adding autumn color to your landscape. They are resistant to deer, drought and rabbits.
What color are geraniums?
Plants bloom from early spring through late fall in colors ranging from dark chocolate to pink, lilac and white.
1 – Foxglove
2 – Ornamental Grass
- Have you thought about planting ornamental grass types near your peonies? There are many different options that you could consider if you decide to use this idea. Many enthusiasts think that ornamental grass has a great leaf texture that pairs up well with the peonies. The only thing you need to be careful about is what type of grass you choose. You see, many types of ornamen…
3 – Daylilies
- Dayliliesmight be some of the best flowers that you can plant alongside peonies. They have excellent flowers that are very attention-grabbing, and the texture of the leaves also stands out. One of the best reasons to consider going with daylilies is that they provide a nice contrast to peonies. They’re going to look good when planted near each othe...
4 – Azaleas
- Azaleas are types of shrubs that many people have in their yards. Having an evergreen shrub such as this in your yard can be very beneficial. You’ll often find people planting azaleas near the base of peony plants. It helps to conceal the base and it keeps everything looking quite nice. As an added benefit, azaleas that are planted underneath peonies can help to support them a bit. This …
5 – Bearded Iris
- The bearded iris is a plant that will make for an amazing companion to your peonies. This plant has frilly flowers that come in different colors such as orange, yellow, blue, pink, purple, and red. It’s also just nice to know that bearded irises have a unique look that will help them to stand out. The way that the flowers droop down makes them look sort of like a beard, and it’s definitely goi…
6 – Columbines
- Columbines are so gorgeous that it would be hard not to appreciate them. They’ll look really nice if you plant them alongside your peonies, and they’ll manage to stand out in some ways. These flowers have two obvious petal layers when they’re in full bloom. The way that the colors pop really helps to add beauty to your garden area. If you happen to enjoy seeing hummingbirds in yo…
7 – Roses
- Roses are obviously some of the most gorgeous flowers in the world. There’s a reason why people have elaborate rose gardens and why roses have become such an iconic romantic symbol. If you’re looking for something to plant with the peonies that can match their beauty, then planting roses makes all the sense in the world. It helps that roses and peonies actually complement eac…
8 – Alliums
- Alliums are very tall and they have fun bushy flowers. The flowers are spherical and you can find them in blue and purple varieties. They’re definitely going to provide a different type of look in your garden. These are flowers that are beautiful in a completely different way than peonies. Some gardeners like using these flowers in their gardens since squirrels have a hard time getting to th…
9 – Bleeding Heart
- Bleeding heart is a very interesting type of flower that’s going to get plenty of attention in your yard. This plant has heart-shaped flower petals, and the flowers are normally going to be pink. It’s easy to see why so many people would be interested in having this type of plant in their yards. They’re also fairly hardy plants overall and this means that you won’t have to worry too much ab…
10 – Hydrangeas
- Hydrangeas are so vibrant and they’re going to make sense as a plant to complementpeonies. You’ll love how big and colorful the blooms are if you decide to plant these in your yard. You’ll usually find hydrangeas with purple or pink blooms. Sometimes the blooms will be a combination of pink and purple. These plants are also very good for people who want plants that are easy to t…