17 Peonies Garden Ideas
There are few flowers more romantic and showy than peonies.
With their massive, silky blooms in a variety of colors—from pure white to the
deepest red and nearly every shade in between—peonies are the perfect addition to a romantic garden.
Peonies are a long-lived perennial, which means that once you plant them, they will come back year after year.
They are a little high maintenance, as they require full sun, well-drained soil, and a specific planting depth, but if you can provide their needs,
they are a beautiful and reliable addition to the garden.
1. Peonies and Roses
Peonies are a great cut flower to add to your garden. They come in a variety of colors and can be used in a number of different ways.
In this garden, the peonies are the star attraction, and the gardener has chosen to pair them with roses.
Peonies and roses are a classic combination, and the two flowers seem to be made for each other.
Peonies and roses are also similar in terms of care. They both require full sun and well-drained soil.
They also both benefit from a layer of mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
2. Deep Pink and White Pejsonies
This garden is filled with a variety of flowers, but the peonies are the star of the show. The deep pink and white peonies are so simple, but so elegant.
This garden is a great example of how you can mix and match different types of flowers and colors to create a beautiful and cohesive look.
3. Peonies and Alliums
Alliums are a favorite flower to pair with peonies. Both come in a variety of colors and produce large blooms that make a statement in the garden.
The best part is that they both bloom in the spring, so you can enjoy them together.
In the fall, plant allium bulbs about 8 inches deep and 8 inches apart. In the spring, you can cut back the foliage after it yellows and withers.
4. Peonies and Irises
Peonies are so stunning, they can make any plant look even more beautiful.
Here, they are paired with irises and allium, creating a garden that is both colorful and fragrant.
Pro Tip: If you want to grow peonies, you need to be patient.
They can take a few years to start blooming, but once they do, they will reward you with gorgeous flowers year after year.
5. Peonies and Poppies
A poppy and peony garden is the perfect way to celebrate spring and early summer.
These two flowers are some of the most popular in the garden, and for good reason.
Poppies come in a variety of colors, but red, orange, and yellow are the most common. They can be grown from seed and are often used as a cover crop.
6. Peonies and Lavender
The fragrance of peonies and lavender is a classic pairing.
Both of these perennial flowers are deer-resistant, so if you have a problem with deer in your garden, this is a great combination to plant.
Lavender is a great plant to use in a peony garden because it will thrive in the same growing conditions as peonies.
Both plants prefer full sun and well-draining soil.
7. Peonies and Ornamental Grass
The soft pink peony in the center of this garden is a showstopper, but it’s not alone.
The peony is surrounded by a variety of ornamental grasses that give this garden a lot of texture.
In the back, you can see a tree that will provide some nice shade for this bed as it grows.
8. Peonies and Hostas
Hostas are a popular perennial to grow in shady areas of the garden.
There are many different varieties of hostas to choose from, so you can easily find one that fits your garden color scheme.
These light pink peonies look stunning when paired with the blue-green leaves of the hosta plant.
This is a great example of using foliage as a way to bring color to your peony garden.
9. Peonies and Ferns
Ferns are a wonderful companion plant for peonies. They provide a lacy texture in the garden and make a lovely backdrop for other flowers, including peonies.
Ferns are also relatively low-maintenance and deer-resistant.
There are many different types of ferns to choose from, so you can create a beautiful and unique look in your garden.
Try planting peonies in front of a row of ferns, or mix and match different types of peonies and ferns throughout your garden.
10. Peonies and Japanese Maples
Peonies and Japanese maples are two of the most popular plants in the garden.
They are often used in similar ways, so it’s no surprise that they look amazing when used together.
In this garden, peonies and Japanese maples are used to create a beautiful tapestry of color and texture.
The peonies are used as the primary focal point in this garden, with the Japanese maples providing a lovely backdrop.
11. Peonies and Other Perennials
Peonies are perfect for mixing with other perennials in a garden bed.
Here, the large peony flowers are complemented by the smaller flowers of lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis), catmint (Nepeta), and perennial salvia.
The key to creating a stunning garden bed with so many different plants is to choose a color scheme and stick to it.
In this bed, the flowers are all shades of purple and pink.
12. Peonies and Annuals
Peonies are considered perennials, which means they come back year after year.
However, they are also known to have a shorter blooming period, and they can take a couple of years to become established before they bloom.
Pairing peonies with annuals is a great way to fill in the gaps in your garden and add a pop of color while you wait for your peonies to bloom.
In this garden bed, the soft pink peonies are paired with deep red and pink annuals, creating a beautiful, romantic color scheme.
13. Peonies and Bulbs
Peonies are perennials, which means they come back year after year.
However, they can take a few years to establish themselves and bloom to their full potential.
In the meantime, you can fill in your garden with other perennials, bulbs, or annuals.
Bulbs are a great way to fill in your peony garden because they bloom in the spring and early summer, before your peonies, and then go dormant for the rest of the year.
Some great bulbs to plant in your peony garden include daffodils, tulips, allium, and iris.
14. Peonies in a Cutting Garden
Peonies are a staple in cutting gardens because they can be harvested for bouquets and the plants are long-lived.
The key to growing peonies in a cutting garden is to plant multiple plants so that you can cut from some while others are left to bloom in the garden.
In the late spring, when peonies are in season, you can cut a few blooms every day to bring indoors.
The more you cut, the more blooms the plants will produce.
15. Peonies in a Container Garden
Peonies are typically planted in the ground, but you can also grow them in a container garden.
Just be sure to plant them in a large pot to give them plenty of room to grow.
This gorgeous container garden features a mix of peonies, roses, and other flowers, as well as some trailing plants that spill over the sides of the pot.
The peonies add a pop of color to the garden, and their lush foliage provides a beautiful backdrop for the other flowers.
16. Peonies in a Cottage Garden
Cottage gardens are known for their colorful, relaxed designs, and peonies are the perfect flower to include in this type of garden.
This cottage garden is filled with peonies, foxglove, and other perennials.
The pink, white, and purple flowers create a soft, romantic look that’s perfect for a cottage garden.
17. Peonies in a Formal Garden
Peonies can be a showstopper in any garden, but they look especially stunning in formal gardens.
In this garden from The Potted Boxwood, the peonies are the star of the show. Paired with boxwood and a beautiful fountain, this garden is sure to impress.
Conclusion
Peonies are a beautiful flower that can bring so much joy to a garden. They are easy to care for and will last a lifetime.
With all of these peonies garden ideas, you can see that there are many ways to incorporate them into your garden design.
We hope you found inspiration for your garden and are excited about adding peonies to your garden.