Steve Yoder
I'm Steve, a 30-something urban gardener fascinated by companion planting research. Growing up surrounded by greenery sparked my passion for gardening early on. I enjoy transforming my small backyard, experimenting with companion planting techniques and eco-friendly practices. Sustainability matters—I advocate for native plants and composting.
Peonies are resilient and lovely, but they may be fickle. Certain plants can assist to keep your peony happy and thriving in your yard, while others might make them sicker than they were before they died. In this article, we will talk about the best and worst peony companion plants.
Best Peony Companion Plants
Bee Balm
We start our list of the best peony companion plants with bee balm. Native to North America, bee balm is a perennial plant. Despite not technically being related to tea, it possesses aromatic blossoms and is sometimes referred to as Oswego Tea. Bee balm may grow in the sun or some shade, but it thrives in dry, well-drained soil. The plant provides aroma and color throughout the season and may be utilized in cooking or as an attractive plant in the garden.
Since both plants enjoy lots of sunlight and either damp or well-drained soil, bee balm is a wonderful companion plant for peonies. When the two plants are growing together, their flowers go well together. After they bloom, bee balm leaves can help protect peony roots from the sun’s direct rays in the summer, so they don’t dry out too soon.
Another good news is that we have also prepared a list of the best bee balm companion plants! Have a look:
Fennel
We continue our list of the best peony companion plants with fennel. A perennial herb, fennel may be sown either in the spring or the fall. It works well to keep aphids and root maggots away from peonies, making it a wonderful companion plant. Along with roses and tomatoes, fennel is a beneficial companion plant for many other kinds of flowers.
If you want to learn more about fennel companion plants, you can check out our article in the link below:
Lilac
Plant hardiness zones 3 through 8 of the United States Department of Agriculture are ideal for lilacs, a fragrant blooming shrub. Beside being member of the best peony companion plants lilac also is used in medicine. Folk medicine has traditionally used lilac, especially for the treatment of colds and the flu. To treat coughs and sore throats, the flowers and leaves can be used in tea, tinctures, poultices, and salves.
When placed next to peonies, particularly varieties like “Peony Queen” or “Nancy Evans” that are prone to powdery mildew, the lilac is very beneficial. By shading the soil surface below, them, the lilac will help keep insects like spider mites away from your peonies and increase humidity throughout the summer when it is dry. What a great combination this is!
Mint
Mint is another fantastic member of the best peony companion plants. It is well recognized for deterring insects that might harm your peony plants, such as aphids, flies, and mosquitoes. Bees are drawn to the garden by mint, which also feeds them nectar from its blossoms. The fact that these pollinators will assist nourish other flowers in your yard and keep everything growing healthily might be advantageous to your garden.
Mint is a low-maintenance plant that does well in most soil types, although it does best in full sun and wet, well-draining soil. Apple mint, pineapple mint, and orange balsam are among the several types of mint.
Also, have a look at our list of the best mint companion plants:
Pinks
We continue our list of the best peony companion plants with pinks. The pink, or Dianthus spp., is one of the best plants1 for peonies. Pink flowers are simple to grow and draw butterflies and bees. They do best in full sun, but they can also withstand some shadow, making them a wonderful choice for flower beds that receive both full sun and shade throughout the day. Pinks make excellent companions in locations with minimal rainfall or water availability at specific periods of the year since they are drought resistant. They can withstand temperatures as low as –25°F and can thrive in any sort of well-drained soil.
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff is another perennial that grows well with peonies. Its diminutive size, which only reaches a height of 6 inches, makes it ideal for use as ground cover or in borders. Small and white, the blossoms of this shrub release a pleasant vanilla smell into the air when crushed or disturbed after drying. It may be utilized as a part of an understory layer of plants behind taller shrubs or trees, just like many other plants on this list that thrive in shadow. What a great member of the best peony companion plants this is!
Queen Anne’s Lace
We finish our list of the best peony companion plants with Queen Anne’s lace. The biennial Queen Anne’s lace, often known as wild carrot, takes two years to blossom. It has five-petaled white blooms on it. Although its leaves are tasty and aromatic, they can be poisonous if consumed in excessive amounts or prepared incorrectly. As long as the plant receives full light and well-drained soil, it thrives in gardens. It also makes a great combination with peony!
What to Avoid Next to Peonies
Peonies don’t have bad companions. The reason is that the peony is a very friendly plant, and it adapts itself easily to every situation.
Less Space
You can create bad peony companion plants yourself! The key is to have enough space between your other plants and peony. If they are too close together, they will start competing even if they are good companions! The reason is simple. Less space leads to competition in soil. This again leads to fewer nutrients for all plants. So, make sure to set the right gap between your plants to enable maximal growth.
Sun
Direct sunlight damages your peony plants. This means too much sun is a bad companion to the peony. Peony enjoys light shade and light sun. It needs this variety to grow to its full potential. According to studies2 different shading therapies make your peony plants grow better. Make sure to choose the right spot for your peony plants.
References
- Michener, D., & Grese, R. B. (2020). Passion for Peonies: Celebrating the Culture and Conservation of Nichols Arboretum’s Beloved Flower. University of Michigan Regional.
- Gao-feng, Y. U. E., Zhi-qiang, H. A. N., Jun-qiang, M. A., Xian-xin, X. U., & Wen-yue, Y. A. N. G. Effects of different shading treatments on flowering period and color quality of peony. HUBEI AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, 59(17), 83.
