These Peony Landscaping Ideas Are Blowing Up — How to Copy the Look in Your Yard

• There are three kinds of peonies—herbaceous, tree, and intersectional—that have different care needs and uses.
• Use peonies in flower beds, mixed beds, along borders, or as statement pieces to enhance your yard.
• Care for peonies by watering them weekly, providing them with dappled to full sun, and fertilizing biannually.

Peonies have a long history of cultivation, starting in China during the Ming Dynasty around 3900 years ago. Through centuries of extensive breeding, we now have thousands of peony varieties, classified into herbaceous peonies, Itoh peonies, and tree peonies.

This guide will help you select the right type of peony for your yard and provide tips on how to style them.

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How to Add Peonies to Your Landscaping

The different types of peonies include:

• Herbaceous peonies, also known as Chinese peonies, are common garden peonies. Most are cultivars of Paeonia lactiflora. They are clump-forming perennials with large flowers appearing in late spring and early summer, hardy in USDA zones 3-8.
• Woodland peonies are a subgroup of herbaceous peonies that grow in deciduous forests and share the same hardiness (zones 3-8). They are the earliest to bloom.
• Tree peonies (P. suffruticosa) are deciduous sub-shrubs with flowers similar to herbaceous peonies but larger. They bloom for about a week to 10 days in mid- to late spring. They thrive in USDA zones 4-9.
• Intersectional peonies, also known as Itoh peonies (P. cvs.), are hybrids of common herbaceous and tree peonies. They have flowers up to 8 inches across and long, strong stems with dark green, lush, deeply lobed foliage. They bloom in late summer and are hardy in zones 3-8.

Here's how you can incorporate these different peony types into your landscaping for a stunning burst of color.

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In Flower Beds

Chinese peonies thrive in flower beds exposed to at least six hours of full sun daily, ideally eight hours. Growing two to three feet tall, they should be planted in areas where they won't obstruct the view of lower-growing flowers. Space them about three feet apart for good air circulation and to allow their roots to form clumps.

Peonies' heavy flower heads tend to flop after a rain. Use peony rings or stakes and twine for support if you don't want them burying other plants in the bed.

In Mixed Beds

For a focal point, plant a tree peony as a standout specimen where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade. Provide at least 5 feet of space around its base. Itoh peonies also make excellent specimens in mixed beds.

Chinese peonies can be planted anywhere in a mixed bed where they receive full sun, either in groups or as mass plantings.

If you have a mixed bed with a shrub or evergreen creating dappled shade, consider planting woodland peonies around it.

On Borders and Hedges

Mass plantings or groups of Chinese peonies are perfect for adding color to a border in full sun. Position them in the middle of the border to hide their foliage as it gets a bit unsightly later in the summer.

Due to their size, tree peonies and Itoh peonies are best planted at the back of the border.

Both Chinese and tree peonies can form beautiful peony hedges along fences or property lines. Plant them in rows with proper spacing, ensuring no larger trees or shrubs nearby compete for light, water, and nutrients.

As a Standalone Statement

Peonies make a striking statement on their own. Plant a few in a clump (consider providing some edging or structure to support the heavy stems) and give them proper care. Over time, these blooms will become the focal point of your yard. Enhance their appeal by adding flowers of different colors around them for a beautiful, polka-dotted effect.

Don't Plant in Containers

Growing peonies in containers is not recommended since the confined space restricts their extensive root systems. Additionally, container plants are more exposed to temperature extremes, which can harm their growth.

Things to Consider When Choosing Peonies

• Color palette: Group similar flower colors together to create the most appealing visual effect.
• Bloom period: For a continuous display of peony blooms over seven to eight weeks, plant varieties with different bloom times: woodland peonies (early), tree and herbaceous peonies (mid-season), and intersectional peonies (late).
• Height: Ensure tall peonies (tree and Itoh peonies) don’t cast shade on shorter Chinese peony varieties that need full sun. Follow the spacing recommendation for each type when planting peonies. For small spaces, consider planting dwarf peony varieties that don’t exceed 2 feet in height.
• Companion plants: Other flowers with similar growing conditions that pair well with peonies include salvia, bearded iris, and delphinium.

Caring for Peonies

Peonies are relatively easy to care for as long as their basic growing needs are met.

Water

Peonies need 1 to 2 inches of water per week. They are not drought-tolerant, so water them at the base (rather than from overhead) to keep the soil moist.

Light

Light requirements vary. Chinese peonies need full sun, woodland peonies prefer partial or dappled shade, and tree and Itoh peonies grow well in full sun to partial shade.

Fertilizing

Fertilize peonies twice a year—once in early spring and again after blooming. Recommendations include bulb fertilizer, bone meal, balanced slow-release fertilizer, or mushroom compost.

Common Issues

Peonies are prone to fungal diseases such as Botrytis blight and powdery mildew. Good airflow and diligent garden hygiene, including removing infected plant parts and thorough cleanup in the fall, are essential for controlling the spread of disease.