Is It Possible To Grow Lilies And Peonies Together?

Peonies and lilies are both beautiful and versatile flowering plants that are popular in gardens worldwide. They can be planted together to enhance their visual appeal, support growth, and deter pests. Peony companions include hydrangeas, lilies, boxwood, lupins, lavender, columbines, bearded irises, Siberian irises, bleeding hearts, daffodils, tulips, and clematis.

Peonies and their companion plants prefer well-drained, fertile soil. Lilies do well in the company of shallow-rooted plants, which help keep their roots cool. Most annuals have shallow roots, while peonies, irises, and columbines are shallow-rooted plants that look lovely with peonies. Peonies, however, cannot support a 6′ top heavy regal lily, so only a stake will work.

Companions for peonies can be classified as under peonies, side-by-side with peonies, or over peonies. When planting lupine with peonies, they make a perfect pair due to their spectacular tall perennial blooms. Low mounding plants like Nepeta, Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle), Brunnera, and daylilies can be used at the feet of peony plants.

Pairing peony plants with companion plants such as perennials, flower bulbs, or ornamental grasses provides accent features in the form of shape, texture, height, and color. Blackberry and Candy lilies, which bloom well after peonies, have foliage like extra large irises. The best annual and perennial plants for a peony border include spring bulbs, zinnias, lilies, irises, and daylilies.

In summary, peonies and lilies are versatile flowering plants that can be planted together to enhance their visual appeal, support growth, and deter pests. By choosing the right companion plants, peonies can reach maturity and thrive in their gardens.

How many years does it take peonies to bloom?

It is possible for plants to be too young, and while the majority of peonies are typically not grown from seed, some avid gardeners have successfully attempted to do so. Plants cultivated from seeds typically require four to five years to reach maturity and produce flowers. The premature removal of foliage in July or August can result in the weakening of the plant, which may subsequently produce a reduced number of flowers. In the event that buds emerge but fail to open, other potential causes include overwatering, the presence of pests, or inadequate care.

Will peonies multiply?

Herbaceous peonies, which are long-lived perennials, can be divided into clones to grow into individual plants without spending a dime. To increase the number of peonies in your garden, divide them in fall to allow the divisions time to grow and establish themselves in warm soil. However, this technique is not suitable for intersectional or tree peonies, which propagate differently. To divide peonies, use isopropyl alcohol, paper towels, a pruning saw, a rubber mallet, and an old chef’s knife. However, this method is not suitable for intersectional or tree peonies, which are propagated differently.

Do lilies like to be in pots or ground?

Lilies grow well in containers, with taller types requiring support. Suitable species include Lilium auratum, L. formosanum, L. longiflorum, and L. speciosum, while suitable cultivars include Asiatic hybrids and the ‘Pixie’ series. Plant in early autumn, but bulbs can be planted until spring. Lilies can also be forced into flower for indoor display, with Asiatic hybrids, L. auratum, L. longiflorum, and L. speciosum. These bulbs are kept in a cool environment to flower without natural winter chill, around six weeks after planting.

Do peonies multiply on their own?

1. Dig around the peony plant using a sharp spade, ensuring not to damage the roots. Rinse the roots with a hose to remove any dirt and identify the crown buds. Leave the roots in the shade to soften them and make cutting easier.

2. Cut the roots back to about 6 inches (15 cm.) from the crown, as the crown grows into the peony. Each piece should have at least one visible crown bud.

3. Continue dividing peonies until you have as many as possible from the original roots. Plant the pieces in a suitable location, ensuring the buds are not more than 2 inches (5 cm.) under the soil. Store the pieces in peat moss until ready to plant on a warmer day, but don’t store them too long to prevent drying out and preventing growth.

By following these steps, you can propagate peony plants quickly and create many plants in no time. Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter to receive a free download of our DIY eBook “Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter”.

What blends well with peony?

The Dolce Peony Eau de Parfum is a vibrant and colorful fragrance that features a fruity, floral blend of coconut water, coral peony, guava blossom, and warm sands. The fragrance is uplifting and calming, making it a perfect addition to any fragrance wardrobe. The fruity transparency of the nashi pear notes and the sumptuous floral volume of the peony accord, combined with woody patchouli, create a joyful and colorful experience.

The warm sands accord, reminiscent of salty sea spray and sun-kissed skin, adds a beach vibe to the fragrance. The purple bottle of the Dolce Peony Eau de Parfum is sure to make a statement on your beauty shelf.

What grows well next to Lilies?

Lilies are a beautiful plant that can be complemented by various companion plants to create rich harmonies. Mounding companions like Geraniums, Ferns, or Hostas add gravitas and shade to the ensemble, while spiky companions like Liatris, Kniphofia, Eryngium giganteum, Veronicastrum, or Veronica longifolia provide visual variety against the large Lily blooms. Airy companions like Gaura lindheimeri, Perovskia, Verbena bonariensis, or Thalictrum rochebrunianum add airiness and contrasting shapes.

Blue and purple-flowering perennial plants like Salvia nemorosa, Aconitum, Anchusa azurea, Erigeron, Aster amellus, Echinops bannaticus, and Polemonium caeruleum make favorite neighbors for Lilies due to their colors. Silver and gray plants like Artemisia species or Stachys byzantina can effectively accent Lilies’ beauty. Green companions like orange and red Lilies can add drama to the garden if underplanted with soft green Ferns and Hostas. Chocolate and maroon plants provide an effective contrast against dark-leaved shrubs like Corylus maxima ‘Purpurea’ (Filbert) and Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ (Smoke Tree).

To create a stunning Lily garden, consider planting bulbs in groups of three or more, or mix Lily cultivars to reduce the overall effect. Tall Lilies are typically planted at the back of the border or the center of island beds, while dwarf Lilies are placed at the front. Tall Lilies can also be planted among or behind shrub roses and small to medium-sized shrubs like Spireas.

A wide range of companion plants can bring out the best qualities of Lilies and share their space with a serene balance. Most Lilies thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, but some varieties prefer partial shade. Some Lilies thrive in slightly acidic or alkaline soils, so it is important to respect these rules to ensure your Lilies thrive among these plants.

Can you mix peonies with other flowers?

Perennials, such as evergreen hellebores and hardy geraniums, are ideal for combining with peonies. They create a lovely foliage texture and can be used as a spring border bouquet. Peonies can also be paired with perennials that bloom later in summer, creating a beautiful backdrop for summer blooming flowers like penstemons and agastaches. Planting taller summer perennials behind peonies can make them look like an evergreen shrub in front of tall summer bloomers like marshmallow, hollyhock, or sunflowers.

How many lilies should I plant together?

Lily bulbs are a beautiful plant that can be grown in groups of three to five bulbs, spaced about 12 inches apart. Small bulbs should be planted two to four inches deep, while larger bulbs should be planted six inches deep. Space each group about three to four feet apart for optimal growth. The soil should be moist, with a significant watering once a week. During hot months, watch the soil and water as needed.

Care for lily gardens involves mulching during fall and winter, fertilizing the garden in early spring, and removing dead flower heads to give the plant energy for the next season. It is important not to remove leaves, as doing so may prevent the bulb from blooming the following year. If cutting lilies for flower arrangements, cut a bit of foliage from the stem, increasing the likelihood of the bulbs not reblooming the next year.

It is recommended to dig up and divide lily bulbs every three or four years, replant them in new patterns and holes, and extend the existing lily garden area.

What destroys lilies?

Lily leaf beetles, native to Europe, have been a significant pest since their arrival in Massachusetts in 1992. These insects primarily feed on true lilies, including Canada, Turk’s cap, wood lilies, garden lilies, and Fritillaries. Hungry adults and larvae consume both the leaves and flowers, sometimes leaving only the stem behind. Adult beetles are bright red with black legs, antennae, heads, and undersides, and overwinter in soil or plant debris.

They are strong fliers and can travel long distances to find host plants. Once lilies start growing, adult beetles are not far behind. Females lay orange eggs on leaf undersides, flower buds, and flowers, and larvae feed while covering themselves with excrement to deter predators. Hand-picking adults, eggs, and larvae is a good control measure for small gardens, while using insecticides can be effective for large lilies. Before using any pesticide product, read the label and follow the directions closely. Contact the Infoline for specific insecticide recommendations.

What grows best with peonies?

The peony garden at Winterthur features a collection of Beauty bush (Kolwitzia) shrubs that bloom simultaneously with peonies, providing a pleasing contrast to the traditional tree form or weeping shrubs.

What not to plant next to peonies?

It is recommended that aggressive ground cover plants be planted in close proximity to peonies to prevent competition and potential root strangulation. It is important to consider the environmental conditions that peonies and other plants require in order to thrive, and to develop a planting scheme that incorporates peonies and a variety of other plants in a visually appealing manner. Subscribe to receive advice on horticulture in the United Kingdom and benefit from discounts on future planting projects.