Alyssum

Alyssum is an annual plant that is bursting with fragrant white or purple flowers.

Scientific Name: Aurinia saxatilis

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Size: 6″ high 1′ wide
• Bloom Time: Spring
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Hardiness Zone: 3-7

If you want a classic cottage garden, this is a perfect combination. It is a low-growing, annual plant that is bursting with fluffy sweet smelling flowers. I like a long sweeping border of it outlining a garden bed. It is a perfect outline for underneath big peony plants with their large solid blossoms.

Plus, the smell of certain peonies along with the sweet alyssum’s floral scent together is just heavenly. Try pairing cheery yellow alyssum with red-colored peonies such as ‘buckeye belle’ or ‘red charm’ for a striking combination.

Annabelle Hydrangea

Annabelle hydrangea blooms with gorgeous white flowers during peony bloom.

Scientific Name: Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’

• Plant Type: Flowering shrub
• Size: 2-15′ high and 4-6′ wide
• Bloom Time: Mid to late summer into autumn
• Sun Exposure: Full or partial sun
• Hardiness Zone: 3-9

Annabelle hydrangea is a late-season smooth hydrangea. But it gets fairly big and bushy, with large light green rounded leaves. The flowers are usually only starting to form when the peony is in bloom. They make a perfect leafy backdrop to the beautiful blooming peony. Later on, the hydrangea will steal the show.

While Annabelle hydrangeas are often touted as a shade plant, I actually think they are better suited to more sun. I’ve seen them grow happily in full sun, as long as they are given extra water. An eastern exposure full of peonies and Annabelles would be a lovely combination.

Columbine

Columbine is able to sow seeds on its own, which allows it to grow in some unexpected places.

Scientific Name: Aquilegia

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Size: 2-3′ high x 18″ wide
• Bloom Time: Summer
• Sun Exposure: Partial sun to light shade
• Hardiness Zone: 3-8

Peonies make great anchor plants in a garden. They are reliable, they grow larger over time (if they’re in the correct conditions) and will always stay put. With peonies firmly situated in the garden adding structure and stability to your garden, you can start playing with the garden nomads.

Hosta

Hostas and peonies can make excellent companions if both plants are placed in partial shade.

Scientific Name: Hosta

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Size: Variety dependant
• Bloom Time: Midsummer
• Sun Exposure: Partial sun to partial shade
• Hardiness Zone: 3-9

This combination may be a bit more unexpected since hostas are normally thought of as shade plants, whereas peony is the queen of the sun. But they actually can meet somewhere in the middle.

Hostas, especially the lighter green foliaged ones, can actually take a fair amount of sun. ‘Sum and Substance’, or ‘Dancing Queen’ are examples of lighter foliage hostas fit for the sun.

Peonies actually do not enjoy being in the blazing heat of the day. A part-sun location will keep their blooms intact for longer. So, finding a part sun location, maybe an eastern exposure is a happy medium for both perennials.

LarkspurLarkspur, or delphinium, is the perfect companion for peonies as they bloom at the same time and provide height variation.

Scientific Name: Delphinium

• Plant Type: Annual or Perennial
• Size: Variety dependant, typically 2′ wide x 6′ tall
• Bloom Time: Summer
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Hardiness Zone: 3-7

Larkspurs are considered a type of Delphinium. Delphinium and peonies are made for each other! This is a classic pairing in an English garden. Plant peonies in front of the delphinium. They don’t always bloom at exactly the same but delphinium provides a perfect backdrop of lacy foliage behind the peony for its floral show.

Pansy

Pansies, like peonies, prefer to grow in a cool spring garden.

Scientific Name: Viola tricolor var. hortensis

• Plant Type: Short-lived perennial
• Size: 8″ x 8″
• Bloom Time: All season
• Sun Exposure: Partial sun
• Hardiness Zone: 7-10 (cool season annuals)

Pansies are reliable bloomers and their large flat flowers are a perfect contrast to the big fluffy peony flowers. Both pansies and peonies like cool climates and a nice cool spring garden. They will both fizzle out in conditions that are too hot.

I personally don’t like going too crazy with my color combinations when it comes to planting with peonies. The simplicity and elegance of the large solid peony blossoms lose some of their beauty when there is too much other color ‘noise’ around.

Opting for a solid-colored pansy such as Matrix White or Matrix True Blue is preferable to enhance the beauty of the peony without distraction. Violas are another lovely option. The small flowers create a blanket of groundcover for the peonies to rise out of. White violas and pink peonies for the win!