Peonies are the queens of the spring garden, but even royalty needs a good court. Choosing the right peony companion plants can make your whole garden look more vibrant and healthy. The right neighbors help your peonies shine, extend the season of color, and even keep pests away. Let’s look at how to build a beautiful, supportive plant community around your peonies.
The goal is harmony. You want plants that complement, not compete. Think about timing, height, color, and what the plants need to grow well. With a little planning, you can create a stunning display that lasts for months.
Peony Companion Plants
The best companions for peonies share similar needs: full sun and well-drained soil. They also understand that peonies are the star of the show in late spring. Good companions fill in the space before and after the peonies bloom, and they never try to steal the spotlight.
Why Companion Planting Works for Peonies
Companion planting is more than just pretty pairings. It’s a smart gardening strategy. For peonies, it solves a few common problems.
First, peony foliage can look a bit messy after blooming. Strategic companions hide that fading leaves. Second, peonies have a relatively short bloom time. Other plants take over the display when the peonies are done. Finally, some plants can actually improve growing conditions by attracting beneficial insects or providing light ground cover.
Top Plant Partners for Your Peonies
Here are some excellent choices, categorized by what they bring to your garden.
For Spring Bulbs (Early Season Interest)
These plants bloom before your peonies, waking up the garden.
* Alliums: Their tall, spherical purple flowers look amazing with pink or white peonies. They bloom at the same time, creating a fantastic contrast.
* Tulips and Daffodils: They provide early color. By the time peony foliage is dense, their dying leaves are hidden.
* Siberian Iris: Offers elegant, slender foliage and blue or purple blooms that pair beautifully with peonies.
For Summer Bloomers (Extended Color)
These plants start as peonies fade, carrying the show into summer.
* Catmint (Nepeta): Its soft, lavender-blue spikes spill around peony bases, softening their form. Bees and pollinators love it.
* Russian Sage: Provides airy, blue-violet plumes on drought-tolerant silvery stems. It’s a great backdrop.
* Phlox: Garden phlox offers fragrant, clustered flowers in many colors. It fills the mid-summer gap nicely.
* Roses: Especially shrub or old garden roses. They share the same romantic aesthetic and sun requirements, blooming after peonies.
For Foliage and Structure
These plants add texture and form, even when not in flower.
* Ornamental Grasses: Fountain grass or blue fescue add movement and a modern touch. They hide peony stems effectively.
* Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla): Its scalloped leaves catch rainwater like jewels. The chartreuse flower clusters are a lovely foil.
* Hostas: Perfect for partially shaded peony plantings. Their bold leaves cover the ground and contrast with peony’s finer texture.
Plants to Avoid Near Peonies
Not every plant makes a good neighbor. Avoid these:
* Large shrubs or trees: They will compete fiercely for water, nutrients, and light, weakening your peonies.
* Aggressive spreaders: Mint or some types of bee balm can overwhelm peonies, which dislike root disturbance.
* Very thirsty plants: Peonies like consistent moisture but hate “wet feet.” Avoid plants that need constant, heavy watering.
Designing Your Peony Garden Bed
Follow these steps to create a cohesive look.
1. Place Your Peonies First. They are the anchor. Plant them 3-4 feet apart for good air circulation.
2. Think in Layers. Place taller plants (like Russian Sage) behind, mid-height companions (like catmint) beside, and low growers (like lady’s mantle) in front.
3. Consider Color. Soft blues, purples, and whites highlight pink peonies. Yellows and oranges make white or coral peonies pop. Monochromatic schemes (all pinks and whites) are elegantly simple.
4. Add Annuals for Fill. If gaps appear, use annuals like salvia or nicotiana for instant, non-competitive color.
Care Tips for Your Plant Community
A harmonious garden needs simple, unified care.
* Watering: Water deeply at the base of plants, avoiding overhead watering on peony foliage to prevent disease. Early morning is best.
* Feeding: A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring benefits most companion plants. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds.
* Mulching: A 2-inch layer of compost or shredded bark helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature for all plants.
* Fall Cleanup: Cut back peony and perennial foliage after a hard frost to prevent overwintering disease. Bulbs and some grasses can be left until early spring.
Creating a garden with peonies at its heart is deeply satisfying. By choosing thoughtful peony companion plants, you build a resilient, ever-changing tapestry of color and texture. Your garden will have interest from early spring right through to fall, with each plant playing its part. Start with one or two companions and see how the dynamic changes – you might just find a new favorite combination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grows best next to peonies?
Catmint, alliums, Siberian iris, and ornamental grasses are some of the best options. They complement peonies without competing aggressively.
Can you plant lavender with peonies?
Yes, but with caution. Both need full sun and well-drained soil. Ensure the soil is sandy or amended for excellent drainage, as lavender hates wet conditions more than peonies do.
What should you not plant next to peonies?
Avoid large, thirsty trees or shrubs and aggressive ground covers. They will compete to heavily for resources and can lead to poor peony growth and fewer flowers.
Do peonies like to be crowded by other plants?
No, peonies need good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases like botrytis. Always give them ample space and avoid planting companions to close to their crown.