Peonies are one of the most loved garden flowers with their large, colorful blooms and sweet scent. They bring elegance and charm to any space and bloom beautifully in late spring to early summer.

To make your garden even more stunning, it’s smart to plant flowers that grow well with peonies. These companion plants add color, balance, and help keep pests away, giving your garden a full and healthy look all season long.

Read More: How to Make Peonies Last Longer

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Alliums – A Beautiful Contrast

Alliums are tall, round flowers that bloom in late spring. They stand above peonies and add a unique texture. Their purple or white blooms create a striking look with peony petals. Alliums also repel pests that might harm your peonies.

Plant alliums behind or between your peonies. They grow from bulbs and return yearly, just like peonies. Since they bloom at different times, your garden stays colorful longer. Alliums also help keep deer and rabbits away.

Salvia – A Colorful Companion

Salvia adds bold purple, pink, or blue tones to your garden. Its slender spikes pair well with full peony blooms. Salvia attracts bees and butterflies, which helps pollinate nearby plants. These insects are also great for a healthy garden.

This plant likes sunny spots, just like peonies. It doesn’t need much care and grows well in many soils. Salvia’s vertical shape offers nice variety in your flower bed. It also blooms for a long time, keeping color around your peonies.

Catmint – Soft and Spreading

Catmint is a low-growing plant with light purple flowers. It creates a lovely border around taller peonies. Its soft, gray-green leaves contrast nicely with peony greenery. Catmint also has a calming scent and attracts pollinators.

This plant blooms early and often, filling gaps between peony blooms. It spreads gently but doesn’t take over. Catmint is drought-tolerant and easy to grow. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, just like peonies.

Columbine – Delicate Spring Beauty

Columbine flowers bloom in early spring, just before peonies. Their delicate, bell-shaped blooms add a touch of charm. They come in many colors and mix beautifully with peonies. Their leaves stay green even after flowering.

Columbines are shade-tolerant and grow under taller plants. They add depth and layers to your garden. These flowers attract hummingbirds and bees. They also reseed easily, so you’ll get new blooms each year.

Foxgloves – Tall and Graceful

Foxgloves add height and elegance to your garden. Their tall spikes balance the round shape of peony blooms. Foxglove flowers grow in shades of pink, purple, and white. They bloom just as peonies begin to fade.

Plant foxgloves behind peonies to create a layered look. They enjoy partial sun and rich soil. Foxgloves are biennials, meaning they bloom every other year. But they reseed well and will return if cared for properly.

Hostas – Lovely Leaf Contrast

Hostas are known for their big, bold leaves. They offer a leafy contrast to peonies’ soft blooms. With green, blue, or variegated leaves, hostas add interest. They also fill in the space around peonies after blooming ends.

Hostas like partial shade, making them great for garden edges. They help cover bare ground and hold moisture. Their flowers are not flashy but still attract bees. Hostas are hardy and easy to grow with peonies.

Lavender – Fragrant and Useful

Lavender is a classic companion for many flowers. It adds soft purple color and a sweet smell. Lavender’s narrow shape complements peonies well. It also helps keep pests away with its strong scent.

Plant lavender in front of or beside your peonies. Both plants enjoy sunny spots and well-drained soil. Lavender blooms after peonies, keeping your garden lively. It also attracts bees and is great for drying and crafts.

Final Thought

Planting the right companions with peonies enhances their beauty and boosts garden health. Flowers like alliums, salvia, and lavender not only add color and texture but also attract helpful pollinators and keep pests away. Low growers like catmint and hostas fill in empty spaces, while tall blooms like foxgloves and columbine create stunning layers.

Choosing plants with similar light and soil needs ensures everything thrives together. With thoughtful pairings, your garden will stay vibrant from early spring through summer. Whether for color, structure, or scent, peony companions create a balanced and eye-catching landscape you’ll enjoy year after year.