18 Breathtaking Plants to Complement Your Peonies in the Garden

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Peonies are loved for their lush, fragrant blooms and graceful presence in the garden. Their full, ruffled flowers make a bold statement, but pairing them with the right companions can further boost their beauty. When selecting plants to grow alongside peonies, it’s important to consider aesthetics and growing conditions to ensure a thriving, harmonious garden bed.

Companion plants for peonies should complement their showy blooms and enhance the overall landscape while supporting healthy growth. Here are stunning plants that pair beautifully with peonies.

Coneflowers (Echinacea)

Coneflowers are a garden staple valued for their beauty and medicinal benefits. Their large, daisy-like flowers bloom in shades of purple, pink, and white, attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Coneflowers thrive in various conditions and bloom from midsummer through fall. Paired with peonies, they will layer your garden with color, making them an excellent choice for a long-lasting floral display.

Hydrangeas

There’s no better match than pairing hydrangeas with peonies. Hydrangeas are celebrated for their large, lush blooms. These flowers vary in color based on soil pH and flourish in morning sun and afternoon shade. Due to their vibrant and voluminous appearance, they are excellent for fresh-cut flower arrangements as well.

Roses

As one of the most popular cutting flowers for a blooming garden, you will not be disappointed with this addition next to your peonies. Roses are favored for their abundant and fragrant blooms. They thrive in full sun, need well-drained soil, and will coexist beautifully with peonies.

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Hosta

With its colorful foliage, Hosta makes a great companion plant for peonies. Hostas are excellent for shaded borders or planting under taller shrubs. They offer shades of greens, yellows, and reds.

Hosta requires shade and thrives in moist, rich soil. Keep the soil moist, protect it from pests, and ensure it isn’t exposed to too much sun. It is also an excellent plant to help keep the weeds out. Zones 3-9

Columbine

Columbine makes an excellent companion to peonies. Its bright blooms, contrasting with dark, clover-shaped leaves, create striking floral displays. This sun-loving perennial flourishes in zones 3-9. Beyond its beauty, Columbine deters deer and attracts wildlife, adding value to your garden.

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Gardenia

Known for its large, creamy white flowers and exquisite fragrance, Gardenia is an ideal plant for planting next to peonies. It requires full to partial shade, high humidity, and well-drained acidic soil. Keep the soil moist and fertilize for dark foliage and plenty of flowers regularly.

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Catmint

Catmint produces lavender-blue flowers throughout the summer. It’s easy to grow, drought-tolerant, and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It works as a great companion to peonies. This plant is not fussy about soil conditions and grows anywhere from 18 to 24 inches in zones 3 to 8.

Foxglove

Foxglove has tall spikes of bell-shaped flowers, perfect for adding height to shaded gardens. Blooms in late spring to early summer. Planting foxglove together with hydrangeas makes for a beautiful landscape. Zones 4-10

Azaleas

Azaleas are known for their vibrant spring blooms, and some varieties feature evergreen foliage that lasts all year. Their striking flowers will enhance the visual appeal of your yard.

Similar to hydrangeas, they thrive in slightly acidic, well-drained soil and grow well in sunny and partially shaded areas. When planted in large groups, they form an attractive backdrop and shade the ground, which, along with their dense foliage, helps suppress weed growth.

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Daylily (Hemerocallis)

Daylilies are a favorite in many gardens and make great companions to peonies. They come in a spectrum of yellow shades, from light to deep golden. These easy-to-care-for plants do well in full sun and partial shade.

Although each flower blooms for only one day, the abundance of buds ensures a long blooming season that spans several weeks. As perennials, Daylilies return yearly, growing more robust and producing more flowers as they age.

Camellia

Glossy foliage with large, beautiful white flowers during the cooler months. Camellia prefers partial shade and slightly acidic, well-drained soil and should not have long periods of drying out between waterings. Protect from the afternoon sun and provide consistent moisture.

Iris

Irises are known for their beauty and relatively short lifespan. Varieties include bearded irises with distinctive “beards,” Siberian irises known for their elegant blooms, and Japanese irises prized for their intricate patterns. Irises thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3-9.

While they prefer full sun, they can tolerate partial shade. Planting irises in late summer to early fall ensures a stunning display of spring and early summer blooms.

Lavender

Known for its striking purple hue and soothing scent, lavender is a magnet for butterflies and an ideal choice for those seeking low-maintenance beauty. It has the most fantastic scent and makes a garden smell wonderful. Thriving in sunlight and requiring minimal water, it’s perfect for easy-care gardens.

Clematis (Clematis spp.)

Clematis is a vigorous climbing perennial that produces stunning purple, pink, or white flowers. It thrives in full sun with well-watered roots, making it an excellent choice for trellises and fences. Clematis blooms for months with proper care. Paired with peonies, they provide vertical interest in the garden.

Pansies

These fast-growing, vibrant flowers work well in containers or garden beds. With bright and bi-colored edible flowers, pansies are popular in both fresh salads and desserts. They flourish in full morning sunlight and well-drained, fertile soil.

Salvia (Salvia spp.)

Salvias make great companions to Peonies. Salvia’s tall spikes of purple, pink, or red flowers are a favorite among pollinators. These sun-loving perennials are drought-tolerant and thrive in dry, well-drained soil. Zones 4-10

Alliums

Alliums, with their tall, slender stalks and dramatic blooms, will love growing next to your peonies. Alliums add height and visual interest to garden beds and fresh-cut flower arrangements. They are low-maintenance and provide a striking element to any garden.

Lilac

Lilacs are well known for their fragrant and colorful spring blooms. They will grow quite well next to your peonies. They require full sun and well-drained soil, and regular pruning ensures they bloom beautifully year after year.

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