Peonies are undeniably gorgeous—those big, romantic blooms can stop you in your tracks. But let’s be honest: they’re not always the easiest to grow. Between the short blooming window, their tendency to sulk if planted too deep, and their dislike for certain climates, they can leave gardeners feeling more frustrated than fulfilled.
If you’ve struggled with peonies or just want to try something a little different, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, staring at bare stems while everything else in the garden is still putting on a show. Thankfully, there are some truly lovely alternatives that give you that same wow-factor—without all the fuss.
Here’s a list of plants that can step in where peonies fall short—whether you’re after those lush petals, a similar growth habit, or just a reliable showstopper for your garden beds.
1. Ranunculus
Ranunculus flowers create a similar luxurious look to peonies with their many-petaled blooms but are easier to grow in warmer regions. Their rose-like flowers come in white, pink, yellow, orange, and red, providing a rainbow of options for your garden beds.
Unlike fussy peonies, ranunculus can be grown as annuals almost anywhere. They make excellent cut flowers, lasting up to two weeks in a vase with proper care.
Plant ranunculus corms in fall for spring blooms in zones 8-10, or in early spring for late spring flowers in colder areas. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun, making them perfect for raised beds.
2. Sarah Bernhardt Roses
Sarah Bernhardt roses deliver the same romantic feel of peonies but bloom repeatedly throughout the growing season. These old garden roses produce large, cabbage-shaped pink blooms with a heavenly fragrance that fills the garden from late spring through fall.
Unlike peonies that finish flowering in just a few weeks, these roses keep producing new buds month after month. They’re also more tolerant of poor soil conditions while still providing that classic cottage garden look.
Plant them in a spot with at least six hours of sun daily. Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming, and a thick layer of mulch helps keep roots cool during summer heat.
3. Lisianthus
This one produces elegant, rose-like blooms that resemble peonies when fully open but with the added benefit of an incredibly long vase life. The delicate, ruffled petals come in shades of white, pink, purple, and bicolors, creating a sophisticated garden display.
These flowers perform well in hot climates where peonies often struggle. They’re drought-tolerant once established and don’t require staking like top-heavy peonies do.
Start from nursery plants rather than seeds, as lisianthus takes months to reach blooming size from seed. Plant in well-drained soil with afternoon shade in the hottest regions. Each stem typically produces multiple blooms, making them excellent value for cut flower enthusiasts.
4. Double Tulips
Double tulips offer springtime splendor with their fully-packed petals that closely mimic the lush look of peonies. Varieties like ‘Angelique’ and ‘Mount Tacoma’ create the same romantic garden feel but bloom reliably even in regions with mild winters.
Plant these bulbs in fall, about 6-8 inches deep and 4-5 inches apart. They’ll return year after year in most climates if given proper care.
For best results, choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil and add some bulb fertilizer at planting time. After flowering, let the foliage yellow completely before removing it to ensure energy returns to the bulb for next year’s display.
5. Japanese Anemones
Japanese anemones bring late-season color when most garden flowers, including peonies, have long finished blooming. Their delicate, single or semi-double flowers dance on tall stems above attractive foliage from late summer through fall.
These hardy perennials spread slowly to form elegant clumps that don’t need dividing for years. They thrive in partial shade where many peonies would struggle, making them perfect for woodland garden edges.
Plant Japanese anemones in spring or fall in rich, moist soil. They’re relatively deer-resistant and low-maintenance once established. The only caution is to give them room to spread, as they can be difficult to remove if they outgrow their space.
6. Dahlias
These deliver non-stop blooms from midsummer until frost, long after peonies have finished their brief show. Dinner-plate varieties like ‘Café au Lait’ produce massive flowers that rival peonies in size and impact, while ball types offer perfect symmetry in compact packages.
Available in nearly every color except true blue, dahlias let you customize your garden palette. They’re also champion cut flowers, with each plant producing dozens of stems throughout the growing season.
In zones 8-10, dahlias can remain in the ground year-round. In colder areas, dig up the tubers after the first frost, store them in a cool, dry place for winter, and replant in spring after danger of frost has passed.
7. Camellia Japonica
Camellia japonicas bring winter and early spring glory with their perfect rose-like blooms when most gardens lie dormant. Their glossy, evergreen foliage provides year-round structure and beauty, unlike peonies that disappear underground after flowering.
These long-lived shrubs thrive in partial shade and acidic soil, making them ideal for spots where peonies might struggle. Many varieties feature the same doubled, ruffled petals that peony lovers admire.
Plant camellias in fall or spring, keeping the root ball slightly above soil level. They’re slow-growing but can eventually reach 6-12 feet tall, creating impressive flowering specimens that increase in beauty each year with minimal care.
8. Tree Peonies
Tree peonies offer the classic peony look but on woody stems that don’t die back each winter. Their dinner-plate sized blooms can reach 10 inches across, making standard herbaceous peonies look small by comparison.
Unlike traditional peonies, tree peonies don’t need staking and can handle partial shade. Their flowers appear earlier in spring, extending the peony season when planted alongside herbaceous types.
These woody shrubs grow slowly but can live for decades, eventually reaching 4-5 feet tall. Plant them in well-drained soil with their graft union 4-6 inches below the soil surface. Be patient—they may take 2-3 years to become established before putting on their full floral display.
9. Hydrangea Macrophylla
Hydrangea macrophyllas create massive flower heads that provide the same visual impact as peonies but last for months instead of weeks. The mophead varieties produce large, rounded clusters in blue, pink, purple, or white, depending on your soil pH.
These versatile shrubs thrive in partial shade where many peonies would produce few flowers. They’re also more tolerant of clay soils and need less winter chill to bloom successfully.
Plant hydrangeas in spring after frost danger passes, in holes twice as wide as their root balls. They bloom on old wood in most varieties, so prune only right after flowering. Adding aluminum sulfate to soil creates blue flowers, while lime produces pink blooms in most varieties.
10. David Austin Roses
These roses combine the form and fragrance of old garden roses with the repeat-blooming habit that peonies lack. Their cupped, many-petaled blooms closely resemble peonies but appear continuously from late spring through fall frost.
Varieties like ‘Jubilee Celebration’ and ‘The Generous Gardener’ offer the romantic, ruffly look peony lovers crave. Unlike peonies, these roses don’t need winter chill to bloom well, making them suitable for warmer regions.
Plant David Austin roses in full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Regular feeding throughout the growing season keeps them flowering continuously. Most varieties grow 3-5 feet tall and wide, fitting nicely into mixed borders where peonies might leave gaps after blooming.
11. Clematis
Clematis ‘Josephine’ and other double varieties produce peony-like blooms but in vertical space, perfect for gardeners with limited ground area. Their layered petals create the same luxurious effect as peonies, with flowers appearing over a much longer season.
These climbing vines can transform fences, trellises, or arbors into flowering features. Many varieties bloom twice—heavily in late spring and again in late summer—providing months of color.
Plant clematis with their crown 2-3 inches below soil level and their roots in cool, moist soil while their tops reach for sun. The old gardening advice rings true: “Head in the sun, feet in the shade.” Provide support for climbing and mulch heavily around the base.
12. Hellebores
These bloom when the garden is at its emptiest—late winter through early spring—long before peonies emerge from the ground. Double varieties like ‘Wedding Bells’ and ‘Blushing Bridesmaid’ produce cupped, rose-like flowers that nod gracefully above evergreen foliage.
These shade-tolerant perennials thrive in woodland settings where peonies would struggle. Their leathery leaves remain attractive year-round, providing garden structure even when not in bloom.
Plant hellebores in fall or spring in humus-rich, well-drained soil. They’re drought-tolerant once established and largely ignored by deer and rabbits. Remove old leaves in late winter just as flower buds emerge to showcase the blooms and prevent possible disease spread.
13. Cornus Kousa
Cornus kousa (Korean dogwood) creates a stunning spring display with four-petaled blooms that blanket the entire tree. Though different in form from peonies, the massed effect and elegant white flowers provide similar visual impact on a larger scale.
Unlike peonies that require dividing, these small trees need no special maintenance once established. They offer multi-season interest with summer berries, fall color, and interesting winter bark patterns.
Plant Korean dogwoods in spring or fall in well-drained soil with protection from harsh afternoon sun. They grow slowly to 15-25 feet tall and wide, making them suitable for smaller landscapes. Their horizontal branching pattern creates natural garden architecture that looks beautiful year-round.
14. Icelandic Poppies
Icelandic poppies produce crepe-paper blooms in soft pastel shades that bring the same delicate beauty as peonies to spring gardens. Their nodding buds burst open to reveal crinkled petals surrounding golden centers, creating a magical effect in morning light.
These cool-season flowers bloom weeks earlier than peonies, extending your garden’s peak season. They make excellent cut flowers when harvested just as the buds begin to crack open.
Sow seeds directly in fall for spring blooms, or start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. They prefer cool temperatures and will bloom until summer heat arrives. In mild-winter areas, they often flower throughout winter and spring before going dormant in summer.
15. Flowering Quince
This one bursts into bloom on bare branches in earliest spring, weeks before peonies even emerge from the ground. The double-flowered varieties like ‘Pink Storm’ produce peony-like blooms in shades of coral, pink, and red that light up the landscape when most plants still sleep.
These tough shrubs tolerate poor soil, drought, and neglect while still performing beautifully year after year. Their thorny branches make them excellent barrier plants or security hedges.
Plant flowering quince in fall or spring in almost any well-drained soil. They typically grow 4-6 feet tall and wide but can be kept smaller with pruning right after flowering. Some varieties produce small, aromatic fruits in fall that can be made into jelly or preserves.
16. Echinacea ‘Double Scoop’
Echinacea ‘Double Scoop’ series brings peony-like fullness to summer gardens with their doubled flower forms. Unlike short-blooming peonies, these coneflowers produce flowers continuously from early summer through fall, especially when deadheaded regularly.
Their strong stems don’t require staking, and their drought tolerance makes them ideal for hot, sunny spots. Colors range from raspberry pink to creamy white, with new varieties appearing each year.
Plant these hardy perennials in spring or fall in well-drained soil. They’ll return reliably for years with minimal care. Leave some seedheads in place at season’s end to feed birds and provide winter garden interest.
17. Daphne Odora
Daphne odora delivers intoxicating fragrance from waxy pink and white flowers in late winter when the garden offers little else. Though not peony-like in flower form, this evergreen shrub provides the same luxury feel with its heavenly scent that carries throughout the garden.
Its glossy, sometimes variegated foliage looks attractive year-round, unlike peonies that disappear after flowering. The compact growth habit makes it perfect for smaller spaces or container growing.
Plant daphne in partial shade in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Avoid disturbing the roots once established, as these shrubs resent transplanting. They typically grow 3-4 feet tall and wide, creating the perfect foundation plant near garden seating areas where their fragrance can be fully appreciated.
18. Azalea ‘Encore’
Azalea ‘Encore’ series breaks the rules by blooming multiple times throughout the growing season instead of the brief spring show that both traditional azaleas and peonies provide. Their first heavy bloom comes in spring, followed by repeated flowering cycles into fall.
These evergreen shrubs maintain garden structure year-round with glossy foliage in shades of green, burgundy, or variegated patterns. They thrive in the dappled shade of deciduous trees where many peonies would struggle.
Plant Encore azaleas in acidic, well-drained soil amended with plenty of organic matter. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy, especially during the first year. With dozens of varieties available in heights from 2-5 feet, there’s an Encore azalea for nearly every garden situation.