The best companion plants for peonies (Paeonia spp.) include roses, hydrangeas, lilies, alliums, and foxgloves. These plants share similar growing requirements—full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil rich in organic matter—while providing extended bloom times throughout the growing season. Roses and hydrangeas flower after peonies fade, maintaining garden color from late spring through summer. Alliums offer natural pest-repelling properties that benefit the entire planting area. Spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils provide early color before peony foliage fully emerges.
For a classic cottage garden, plant roses or hydrangeas behind peonies with low boxwood hedges in front. For cutting gardens, combine peonies with ranunculus (earlier bloom) and lilies (later bloom) to ensure continuous flower harvests from early spring through midsummer. Alliums planted among peonies help deter deer and other garden pests naturally.
Companion planting works best when matching plants that thrive in similar conditions without competing aggressively for resources. Research from university extension programs confirms that thoughtful plant combinations improve garden health by attracting beneficial pollinators, extending bloom seasons, and creating natural pest management systems (University of Minnesota Extension). The key is selecting companions that complement peony bloom times rather than compete with them.
One important consideration: avoid placing peonies near young or vulnerable fruit trees. Ants are naturally attracted to the sugary nectar on peony buds, and these ants often farm sap-sucking insects like aphids and scale. While this relationship rarely harms established landscape plants, aphids and scale can transmit diseases to young fruit trees that haven’t yet developed strong immune systems. Keep peonies away from newly planted apple, cherry, or pear trees until the fruit trees are well established.
Roses
Roses (Rosa spp.) are one of the most popular companion plants for peonies. Available in almost any color imaginable, roses range in size from compact shrubs to climbing varieties, making them versatile companions for peonies growing in the garden. From classic white rose varieties to bold red roses and soft pink varieties, there’s a rose cultivar for every garden color scheme.
Almost all garden roses flower after peonies, creating an extended blooming season in the same garden bed. Both plants thrive in full sun locations with well-drained soil and benefit from infrequent but deep watering. They can share the same drip irrigation system, simplifying garden maintenance.
Choose low-maintenance cultivars like David Austin’s Rosa ‘Olivia Rose Austin’ for reliable performance alongside peonies. Plant roses behind or beside peonies to create layers of bloom from late spring through fall.
Ranunculus
Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) and peonies make excellent companion plants for cutting gardens with staggered bloom times. Ranunculus typically blooms in early to mid-spring, while peonies bloom later in spring to early summer. Planting them together ensures a longer period of continuous blooms, providing similar-toned flowers for cohesive bouquets.
In my garden, I plant ranunculus for early-mid spring flowers, followed by peonies for late spring, and then roses throughout the summer. I place the ranunculus at the front of the bed, peonies in the middle, and roses at the back.
Ranunculus flowers are available in a wide range of colors, from vibrant bright tones to muted pastels. The delicate, multi-petaled blooms contrast beautifully with the rounded shape of peony flowers, adding texture and variety to your garden. And ranunculus are available in yellow, which is tricky to find in peonies.
Both ranunculus and peonies prefer well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade, making them compatible growing companions. Ranunculus corms are typically planted in fall for spring blooms.
Alliums
Alliums (Allium spp.) are ornamental members of the onion family that bloom in spring or early summer. The spherical flower heads are made of tiny individual florets, creating striking architectural forms in the garden. Not only do alliums look stunning alongside peonies, but their onion-like scent helps repel pest insects and animals. A garden bed combining peonies and alliums is nearly deer-proof.
Allium varieties range from 5 inches to 4 feet tall, with purple, white, pink, blue, and yellow flowers available. Some varieties have oval or cascading flower shapes rather than perfect spheres. Consider giant alliums like Allium ‘Globemaster’ or Allium giganteum for dramatic impact behind peonies.
Plant allium bulbs in fall for late spring blooms that overlap beautifully with peony flowering time.
Foxgloves
Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) are classic cottage garden plants that create beautiful backdrops behind peonies. These tall spires of tubular flowers droop gracefully when in full bloom, typically in shades of purple or light pink with speckled interiors. Foxgloves can reach 4-5 feet tall, making them ideal for planting behind shorter peony varieties.
Both foxgloves and peonies attract pollinators like bees, helping create a pollinator paradise that supports local wildlife. They share similar soil preferences—well-drained and rich in organic matter—and both tolerate partial shade, making them easy to care for as companion plants.
I like to grow the Excelsior mix, which produces particularly tall spikes. Give foxgloves enough space behind your peonies rather than letting them compete for sunlight and soil nutrients. Here’s a complete guide to caring for foxglove plants.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.) are among the best shrub companions for peonies. These full, fragrant flowers come in white, purple, pink, and soft blue, with some varieties that can change color based on soil pH (here’s a hydrangea color chart to explore).
Plant hydrangeas beside peonies for a beautiful pastel garden that starts with peony blooms in spring and bursts with hydrangea clusters in early summer. Once established, hydrangeas are extremely easy to maintain, though regular watering helps them thrive.
Popular varieties like Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Endless Summer’ provide months of color after peonies finish blooming.
Lilies
Lilies (Lilium spp.) are popular companion plants for peonies because they bloom after peonies fade, keeping the flower show going throughout summer. Most lilies grow taller than peonies and should be planted behind them, unless you’re using very short carpet lily varieties.
One of the most popular varieties is the pink Stargazer lily (Lilium ‘Stargazer’). There are many different types of lilies to choose from, including tiger lilies (Lilium lancifolium), Canada lilies (Lilium canadense), martagon lilies (Lilium martagon), Madonna lilies (Lilium candidum), and Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum).
Both peonies and lilies are easy to grow, making this combination ideal for low-maintenance gardens. Plant lily bulbs in fall or early spring.
Boxwood
Boxwood (Buxus spp.) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub commonly used as a low hedging plant in front of peonies and other perennials. Small varieties like Japanese boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. japonica) are typically trimmed to 12-18 inches tall to create a clean, formal border around peony plantings.
Boxwood hedges also hide peony supports required for heavier-flowered varieties, keeping the garden looking tidy throughout the season. The evergreen foliage provides year-round structure even when peonies are dormant.
Lupins
Lupins (Lupinus spp.) are flowering plants in the legume family with beautiful spikes of blooms. As legumes, they draw nitrogen from the air and fix it into the soil, making this important nutrient available to nearby plants like peonies. Lupins also attract pollinators with their colorful flower spikes.
Lupins come in pink, purple, cream, and bicolor varieties, offering many options to match your peony color scheme. They tend to grow taller than peonies and are best planted behind them to create layered height in the garden.
Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a wonderful aromatic companion for peonies. Smaller lavender varieties can be used to hedge in peonies by planting in front, while larger cultivars like ‘Grosso’ (Lavandula × intermedia ‘Grosso’) can be interplanted or positioned behind peonies.
Most lavender varieties are purple, but there are also white varieties available. Lavender is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in full sun with minimal water—conditions that also suit peonies in well-drained soil.
The fragrant foliage and flowers attract pollinators while providing a sensory contrast to peony blooms. Lavender plants are widely available at garden centers.
Columbines
Columbines (Aquilegia spp.) are classic perennial flowers with distinctive spurred petals. They come in a variety of colors, typically featuring two-toned combinations like light pink over dark pink, with a small cluster of yellow stamens in the center. Their airy, elegant appearance contrasts nicely with the fuller, heavier blooms of peonies.
Planting columbines alongside peonies attracts hummingbirds and pollinating insects to your garden. Different columbine varieties have different mature heights, so compare expected flowering height to your peony varieties when planning placement.
Bearded Irises
Bearded irises (Iris germanica) are among the easiest perennials to grow and make excellent peony companions. These frilly flowers come in shades of pink, red, yellow, blue, purple, and orange, with drooping outer petals that create a distinctive “bearded” appearance and three upright inner petals.
There are many bearded iris varieties to choose from. After the flowers have bloomed and the iris stems have been cut back, the architectural sword-like leaves provide rich green contrast to peony foliage throughout summer.
Bearded iris rhizomes are typically planted in late summer for blooms the following spring.
Siberian Irises
Siberian irises (Iris sibirica) are graceful, clump-forming perennials that make excellent peony companions. Like bearded irises, they feature ombre coloring that adds visual interest to the garden. Siberian irises bloom in late spring or early summer and can grow up to 4 feet tall.
These irises prefer full sun or partial shade and are resistant to deer and rabbits, making them reliable performers in most garden settings. Their narrow, grass-like foliage provides textural contrast to peony leaves.
Bleeding Hearts
Bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis, formerly Dicentra spectabilis) are magical woodland flowers with cascading stems of heart-shaped blooms. Typically pink, these deer-resistant flowers make lovely companions to peonies in partially shaded areas.
Both bleeding hearts and peonies are extremely hardy and share similar growing requirements. Note that bleeding hearts are toxic to humans and animals if ingested, so plant them away from areas where children or pets play.
Daffodils
Daffodils (Narcissus spp.) are cheerful spring bulbs that bloom before peonies emerge. Their bright yellow flowers provide early color in the garden while peony foliage is just beginning to grow. Daffodils require minimal maintenance once planted and naturalize over time.
The emerging peony foliage helps camouflage yellowing daffodil leaves after blooms fade, keeping the garden looking tidy. Plant daffodil bulbs in fall for spring flowers. Avoid planting in overly humid locations, as daffodils prefer drier conditions.
Tulips
Tulips (Tulipa spp.) are popular spring-flowering bulbs that pair beautifully with peonies. Tulips flower in early to mid-spring, completing their blooming season just as peonies begin to open. The expanding peony foliage camouflages the yellowing tulip foliage that remains after blooms fade.
Choose tulip varieties in colors that complement your peony palette. Plant tulip bulbs in fall, positioning them where peony plants will eventually hide the spent foliage.
Clematis
Clematis (Clematis spp.) is a stunning flowering vine that pairs well with peonies planted alongside walls or fences. Attach a trellis for the clematis to climb while the peony foliage shades its base—clematis prefer cool roots and warm tops, making peonies ideal ground-level companions.
The peony foliage helps keep clematis roots cool during the hottest days of late summer. Choose clematis varieties that bloom after peonies for extended flowering interest on vertical surfaces.
Planting Tips for Peony Companions
When designing a peony companion planting, consider bloom times to ensure continuous color throughout the season. Early spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils provide color before peonies emerge. Peonies bloom in late spring. Roses, hydrangeas, and lilies carry the flower show into summer and fall.
Layer plants by height with low boxwood or lavender hedges in front, peonies in the middle, and taller foxgloves, lupins, or lilies at the back. This creates visual depth and ensures all plants receive adequate sunlight.
Most peony companions prefer similar conditions: full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil amended with organic matter, and consistent moisture during establishment. Once plants are established, this combination requires minimal maintenance beyond seasonal cleanup and occasional fertilizing.
Leave a Reply