When it comes to creating a stunning garden bed with peonies, choosing the right companions is key to achieving a harmonious and visually appealing landscape. Peonies are not only prized for their lush and extravagant blooms but also for their foliage, which remains attractive even when the flowers have faded. Pairing these beauties with the right plants can enhance their beauty and provide year-round interest in your garden.
1. Alliums
Alliums, with their striking spherical blooms, make excellent companions for peonies. Planting these ornamental onions alongside peonies can add contrasting colors and textures to the garden bed. Additionally, alliums bloom after peonies have finished flowering, extending the visual interest in the area.
2. Salvia
Salvia, with its vibrant spikes of flowers, complements the large, billowy blooms of peonies beautifully. The upright habit of salvias provides a striking contrast to the rounded form of peonies, creating a dynamic visual display. Bees and butterflies are also attracted to salvias, ensuring pollination in your garden.
3. Daylilies
Daylilies are versatile perennials that pair well with peonies. The colorful and abundant flowers of daylilies can fill in the gaps in the garden bed once peonies have finished blooming. Their long blooming season ensures that there is always something in bloom alongside peonies.
4. Nepeta
Nepeta, or catmint, is a low-maintenance perennial that complements peonies with its airy, lavender-blue blooms. Planted at the base of peonies, nepeta can serve as a ground cover, suppressing weeds and providing a lush carpet of foliage. The aromatic leaves also deter pests, protecting your peonies.
5. Echinacea
Echinacea, or coneflower, is a drought-tolerant perennial that pairs well with peonies in a sunny garden bed. The daisy-like flowers of echinacea attract pollinators and provide a cheerful display alongside the extravagant blooms of peonies. Their sturdy stems also provide structural support in the garden.
6. Siberian Iris
Siberian iris, with its delicate blooms and grass-like foliage, creates a peaceful backdrop for the showy flowers of peonies. These hardy perennials thrive in moist soil, making them ideal companions for peonies that prefer well-drained soil. The early summer blooms of Siberian iris extend the flowering season in the garden.
7. Geranium
Hardy geraniums, or cranesbills, are versatile perennials that can be planted with peonies to provide a carpet of colorful blooms. The intricate flowers of geraniums contrast with the bold blooms of peonies, creating visual interest in the garden bed. Their low-growing habit also helps to suppress weeds around peonies.
8. Hostas
Hostas are shade-loving perennials that can complement peonies in a partially shaded garden bed. The lush foliage of hostas provides a textured backdrop for the extravagant blooms of peonies. Planting hostas near peonies can create a striking contrast between the bold flowers and the variegated leaves.
9. Foxgloves
Foxgloves, with their tall spikes of tubular flowers, add vertical interest to the garden bed when planted alongside peonies. The architectural form of foxgloves contrasts with the full, rounded blooms of peonies, creating a captivating display. These biennials self-seed readily, ensuring that they return year after year.
10. Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses, such as miscanthus or pennisetum, can provide a textural backdrop for peonies in the garden. The graceful movement of grasses in the breeze complements the billowy blooms of peonies, creating a dynamic interplay of forms. Ornamental grasses also add winter interest to the garden bed when peonies are dormant.
11. Lilies
Lilies, with their colorful and fragrant blooms, make excellent companions for peonies in a sunny garden bed. The upright habit of lilies contrasts with the full, rounded form of peonies, creating a visually appealing combination. Planting lilies near peonies can extend the flowering season and provide a continuous show of blooms.
12. Lavender
Lavender, with its fragrant spikes of purple flowers, complements the lush blooms of peonies in the garden. The aromatic foliage of lavender adds sensory appeal to the garden bed, attracting pollinators and creating a tranquil atmosphere. Planting lavender near peonies can deter pests and provide a Mediterranean flair to your landscape.
