Peonies have a way of stealing the show—I’m always counting down to their bloom every spring. From cottage-style borders to elegant all-pink beds, there are so many ways to show them off.
I’ve tried a few of these ideas myself, and they completely transformed my garden. And the best part? You can even use peonies beyond the garden in ways that are just as stunning.
1. Cottage Garden Peonies
Nothing says charming like peonies mixed with other cottage favorites. Plant them alongside foxgloves, delphiniums, and roses for that perfect English garden feel.
The informal arrangement creates a romantic atmosphere that looks effortlessly beautiful. Add a rustic bench nearby and you’ve created the perfect spot to enjoy morning coffee surrounded by nature’s finest perfume.
2. Peony Cutting Garden
Growing peonies specifically for indoor arrangements gives you weeks of gorgeous blooms to enjoy. Plant several varieties with different bloom times to extend your cutting season from spring into early summer.
Choose colors that complement your home décor – from pure whites to deep burgundies. Remember to leave at least one-third of the stems on each plant to ensure healthy growth for next year.
3. Peony Border Path
Frame your garden walkway with a stunning peony border that creates a grand entrance. The lush plants grow about 3 feet tall and wide, making them perfect for lining paths with spectacular blooms.
For the most impact, choose varieties with similar bloom times but contrasting colors. Early summer walks will become magical journeys between walls of fragrant flowers that practically beg you to slow down and savor the moment.
4. Tree Peony Focal Point
Unlike herbaceous varieties, tree peonies develop woody stems that don’t die back in winter. Their dramatic flowers can reach dinner-plate size, making them perfect statement plants for garden focal points.
Plant one in a spot where it can be admired from multiple angles. With proper care, these spectacular specimens can live for generations, growing more magnificent each year as they mature into small flowering shrubs.
5. Container Peonies
Limited space? No problem! Peonies actually thrive in large containers, bringing their magnificent blooms to patios, balconies, and tiny gardens. Choose a pot at least 18 inches deep with excellent drainage.
Intersectional varieties (also called Itoh peonies) work especially well in containers. They bloom longer than traditional types and don’t require staking. Position your potted beauties where you can enjoy their fragrance up close during their spectacular flowering period.
6. Peony and Allium Combination
The purple globes of allium flowers provide perfect contrast to peony blooms. Their tall, slender stems rise above peony foliage, creating a layered look that adds dimension to garden beds.
Plant allium bulbs in fall between established peonies. The alliums will bloom alongside or slightly after the peonies, extending the visual interest. This pairing creates a designer look that garden photographers can’t resist capturing.
7. Peony Support Solutions
Those gorgeous peony blooms can get heavy, especially after rain. Savvy gardeners install supports early in the growing season before plants reach 12 inches tall.
Beyond traditional metal hoops, try decorative options like twiggy branches collected in winter or vintage bird cages with the bottoms removed. The supports become invisible as plants grow, ensuring your peonies stand tall without flopping when bloom time arrives.
8. Peony Hedge
Create living garden walls with closely planted peonies. When placed about 3 feet apart, they’ll grow together to form a spectacular flowering hedge that provides weeks of color.
For best results, choose varieties with strong stems that won’t require staking. The hedge provides structure even after blooming ends, with attractive foliage lasting until fall. This approach works beautifully to define garden rooms or property boundaries.
9. Peony and Hosta Partnership
Smart gardeners pair peonies with hostas for season-long interest. As peony blooms fade, hostas’ lush foliage takes center stage, hiding the declining peony leaves.
The contrasting leaf shapes create beautiful texture even without flowers. Choose blue or variegated hostas for maximum impact against peony greens. This partnership makes excellent use of space while solving the post-bloom peony dilemma.
10. Woodland Edge Peonies
Many peonies actually prefer dappled light to full sun, making woodland edges perfect planting spots. Their flowers seem to glow against the darker backdrop of trees and shrubs.
For this natural-looking approach, choose single-flowered varieties that resemble wild peonies. Plant them in informal drifts rather than straight rows. Their presence creates a beautiful transition zone between manicured lawn and wilder woodland areas.
11. Fragrant Peony Collection
Some peonies offer intoxicating fragrance while others have little scent. Create a dedicated garden area featuring only the most fragrant varieties for an unforgettable sensory experience.
‘Festiva Maxima,’ ‘Sarah Bernhardt,’ and ‘Duchesse de Nemours’ rank among the most perfumed options. Position these aromatic beauties near seating areas or windows where their sweet scent can drift indoors on spring breezes.
12. Peony Color Progression
Create a garden that evolves through color phases by planting peonies in a planned sequence. Start with whites and pale yellows, transition to soft pinks, and finish with deep corals and reds.
This approach creates a garden that shifts in mood as the season progresses. Choose varieties with sequential bloom times to extend the display. The color journey becomes a living calendar marking late spring’s progression into early summer.
13. Moon Garden Peonies
White peonies become luminous in evening light, perfect for moon gardens designed to be enjoyed after sunset. Their pale blooms seem to float in the dusk, reflecting whatever light remains.
Plant them alongside other white flowers and silver-leaved plants for maximum nighttime impact. The fragrance of white peonies often intensifies at night, adding another dimension to evening garden enjoyment. ‘Duchesse de Nemours’ and ‘Festiva Maxima’ are excellent choices.
14. Peony Rain Garden
Contrary to popular belief, certain peony varieties tolerate occasional wet feet, making them suitable for rain garden edges. The Japanese forest peony (Paeonia obovata) handles moisture better than most.
Position these moisture-tolerant peonies at the higher edges of rain gardens where soil drains relatively quickly after storms. Their deep roots help stabilize soil while adding beauty to these functional landscape features.
15. Peony and Ornamental Grass Pairing
The structured form of ornamental grasses creates spectacular contrast with peony blooms. As summer progresses, the grasses take center stage while peony foliage recedes.
Try shorter varieties like Japanese forest grass or Korean feather reed grass that won’t overshadow the peonies. This partnership provides multi-season interest, with peonies dominating spring and grasses bringing movement and texture through fall and winter.
16. Peony Rock Garden
Compact peony varieties thrive among rocks where excellent drainage keeps their roots happy. The rock backdrop makes their colors pop while providing protection from wind.
Early-blooming woodland peonies like Paeonia tenuifolia (fernleaf peony) work beautifully in this setting. Their finely cut foliage adds delicate texture among rugged stones. The rocks also store heat, helping these spring bloomers emerge earlier.
17. Antique Peony Collection
Heritage peonies connect gardens to history through varieties treasured for generations. Some heirloom cultivars date back hundreds of years, bringing living history to your landscape.
‘Sarah Bernhardt’ (1906), ‘Festiva Maxima’ (1851), and ‘Karl Rosenfield’ (1908) remain popular for good reason. These time-tested varieties often possess superior fragrance and remarkable longevity. Some antique peonies have been known to outlive the homes they were planted beside.
18. Four-Season Peony Garden
Thoughtful peony selection creates garden interest beyond the bloom season. Choose varieties with colorful spring shoots, distinctive seed pods, and fall foliage color.
Tree peonies offer winter interest with their architectural branching patterns. Intersectional (Itoh) peonies provide the longest season of beauty, with fernlike spring foliage, summer blooms, and often spectacular autumn color before dormancy.
19. Peony Sanctuary Bench
Create a dedicated sitting area surrounded by peonies for a garden retreat that engages all senses. Position a comfortable bench where you can enjoy the blooms up close during their magnificent but fleeting display.
Choose varieties with complementary bloom times to extend the show. This special spot becomes a sanctuary for morning coffee, reading, or simply sitting quietly among beauty and fragrance during the magical weeks when peonies reign supreme.
20. Miniature Peony Collection
Smaller peony varieties bring the beloved flowers to spaces where full-sized plants won’t fit. These compact beauties typically reach just 1-2 feet tall but produce full-sized, glorious blooms.
‘Little Red Gem,’ ‘Scarlet O’Hara,’ and ‘Little Corporal’ make excellent choices for front borders or small gardens. Their reduced size makes them perfect for raised beds, allowing closer inspection of their intricate flowers without bending down.