Flowers That Look Like Peonies

If you love the lush, romantic look of peonies but want more bloom time or easier care, you’re in luck. There are many beautiful flowers that look like peonies to consider for your garden.

These lookalikes offer a similar feel with their full, ruffled blooms. They can give you that stunning peony aesthetic with different growing needs and seasons of interest. Let’s look at some fantastic options to get that classic look in your own yard.

This list covers annuals, perennials, and even shrubs. Each one brings its own peony-like charm to your garden design.

Garden Roses

English and David Austin roses are the closest match. Their many-petaled, cupped blooms are incredibly similar to peonies. They often have a strong, wonderful fragrance too.

Best Varieties: ‘Juliet’, ‘Gertrude Jekyll’, ‘Princess Alexandra of Kent’.
Care Tip: They need full sun, good air circulation, and regular feeding for the best show.
Peony Advantage: Many repeat bloom throughout the season, unlike most peonies.

Double Tulips

Often called peony-flowered tulips, these are a spring favorite. Their blooms are dense, double, and incredibly lush. They create a big impact in spring beds and containers.

Best Varieties: ‘Angelique’ (soft pink), ‘Monte Carlo’ (yellow), ‘Black Hero’ (deep maroon).
Care Tip: Plant bulbs deep in the fall. They often perennialize better than single tulips if drainage is excellent.

Ranunculus

Ranunculus are know for their tightly packed, paper-thin petals. They look like a perfect, smaller peony bloom. They’re fantastic for cutting gardens and come in vibrant colors.

Growing Note: Plant the odd-looking claws (tubers) in fall or early spring. They prefer cool weather and full sun.
Peony Advantage: They provide a long season of cut flowers from a single planting.

Double Anemones

The ‘St. Brigid’ or ‘Mona Lisa’ anemones have beautiful, semi-double to double blooms. Their dark centers contrast beautifully with the colorful petals, adding a peony-like complexity.

They are easy to grow from corms and will naturalize in many areas. They bloom in mid to late spring.

Camellias

This evergreen shrub produces exquisite formal double blooms. They look just like peonies, but on a glossy green shrub. They bloom when little else does, from fall to early spring.

Best Form: Look for Japonica or Sasanqua varieties with double flower forms.
Care Tip: They need acidic, well-drained soil and protection from harsh morning sun in cold climates.

Double Dahlias

For late summer drama, dinnerplate and decorative dahlias are perfect. Their giant, layered blooms are the peonies of the late season garden. The color range is unmatched.

Growing Note: Plant tubers after the last frost. They need full sun, staking, and consistent water.
Peony Advantage: They bloom continously from midsummer until the first hard frost.

Begonias (Double Varieties)

Rose-form tuberous begonias are stunning shade alternatives. Their perfect, symmetrical blooms come in bright colors and they thrive where peonies and roses would struggle.

Best Use: Hanging baskets, containers, and shady garden borders.
Care Tip: Start tubers indoors in early spring. They dislike wet leaves, so water at the soil level.

Garden Peonies vs. Their Lookalikes: A Quick Guide

Here’s a simple comparison to help you choose.

Bloom Season: Peonies (late spring), Lookalikes (spring to fall).
Plant Type: Peonies (herbaceous perennial), Lookalikes (annuals, bulbs, shrubs).
Sun Needs: Both generally need full sun, but some like begonias prefer shade.
Care Level: Peonies (low once established), Lookalikes (varies from low to moderate).

How to Use These Flowers in Your Garden

You can mix these plants seamlessly to extend your peony season.

Create a Long Season of Bloom

Plan your planting for successive flowers. Start with double tulips and anemones in spring. Follow with peonies and early roses. Then let dahlias and ranunculus take over in summer and fall.

Design a Peony-Themed Border

Plant a bed using only plants with peony-form flowers. Use camellias or roses as the backdrop. Add peonies and ranunculus in the middle. Edge with low double begonias for constant color.

Perfect for Cutting Gardens

All of these flowers are exceptional in vases. By planting several types, you ensure you always have something lush and full to cut from your garden from spring through fall.

Planting and Care Tips for Success

A few key steps will help your lookalikes thrive.

Check Your Sun: Most need 6-8 hours of direct sun. Camellias and begonias are the big exceptions.
Prepare the Soil: Good drainage is critical. Add compost to planting holes for nutrients and structure.
Feed Regularly: Heavy bloomers like dahlias and roses need more food. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring.
Deadhead Spent Blooms: This encourages more flowers on roses, dahlias, and ranunculus. Just snip them off as they fade.

Common Questions About Peony Lookalikes

Which flower is most like a peony?

Garden roses, specifically the English and David Austin types, are the most similar in form and fragrance. Double tulips are the closest look for a spring bulb.

Are there any peony-like flowers for shade?

Yes! Double tuberous begonias are you best choice for full shade. Some camellias also tolerate partial shade very well and provide that lush bloom.

Which lookalike blooms the longest?

Dahlias and repeat-blooming roses offer the longest flowering period. They can provide blooms for several months, especially if you keep deadheading the old flowers.

Are these plants easier to grow than peonies?

Some are, some aren’t. Peonies are very long-lived and low-care. Roses and dahlias require more attention. Ranunculus and tulips are easy but may be treated as annuals in some climates.

Adding flowers that look like peonies is a smart way to get the style you love. You can enjoy that full, romantic bloom form for much longer season. Whether you choose roses, dahlias, or charming double tulips, your garden will be filled with stunning, peony-inspired beauty.