We all love peony season, don’t we – do you Grow your own Or buy them as cut flowers – those big, blousy heads full of ruffly petals give us so much joy, we often overlook the fact that they can be extremely temperamental!
As a bespoke florist, I’ve spent many hours trying all the tricks to make them perform, so often I look at lookalikes that can be used instead, depending on the season.
Plant expert and founder Chris Bennett says, ‘Peonies are beautiful spring bloomers that provide a delicate focal point in the garden, it’s just a shame they only have a short season. GardeningExpress.co.uk. ‘But on the bright side, there are some great looking ones that thrive in the garden when peonies are out of season.’
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1. Double tulips
(Image credit: Sophie Warren-Smith)
At this time of year, you’ll see plenty of tulips before peony season – in multiple colors, but usually all the basic varieties that are much smaller.
There are many others tulip varieties, Double tulips are the most spectacular; In fact, some varieties are so ‘un-tulip’-like that it’s hard to guess they are!
Julien Palframand, Head of Plant at British Garden Centres, Agree, ‘Look for double tulip varieties at your local garden center that are often sold as “penny-flowers”. Their layered petals look similar to peonies, with soft shades of blush and cream added the bed And the container as the garden is waking up.’
Special favorites included Thompson & Morgan’s Double Flag, which comes in deep, and they have eight bulbs for £10.99, Which will be sent at the end of August. The best time to buy tulip bulbs is fall for spring blooming.
There are other variations to check out Buoy’s Perennial Double Tulip Spring Flowering Bulbs, six for £13.13 at AmazonAnd they will be shipped in May.
2. Ranunculus
(Image credit: Getty Images/cweimer4)
‘With double tulips, ranunculuss Peonies with tight, ruffled blooms bring a slightly younger, more delicate look to the look that feels romantic and feminine, whether in borders or cut flowers,’ explains Julian.
Available at the same time as tulips, they are the best Ranunculus plant At the same time you plant them. They come in a beautiful color palette of white, light to dark pink, yellow, salmon, coral, red and bright orange, so there’s something for everyone.
‘While there are compact ‘lookalikes’ for peonies, ranunculus really start to bloom in early April,’ advises gardening and greenhouse expert Lucy Bradley. Easy Garden Irrigation. ‘This gives you the opportunity to combine two plants in your garden borders, the small size of ranunculus makes it perfect for near the front of borders, while the superior height of peonies makes them more suitable in the center or back.’
For a medium pink, take a look J Parker’s Tomer Pink variety which comes in packs of 15, £4.99 or 45 for as little as £9.98. To pack punches by color, select Ranunculus Mixed Flower Corms from Amazon (10 for £5.95).
3. Carnation
(Image credit: Getty Images/Fresh Splash)
Carnations get a bad press, I think it comes from the spray carnations that are waiting to be bought in every supermarket and garage. In fact, it’s a fabulous variety to use if you want a peony frilly look. I often use it as a filler in wedding installations because it comes in a wonderful range of colors and holds up well outside of water.
Richard Barker, Horticulturist and Commercial Director LBS Horticulture, Agrees, ‘Carnations have dense, frilly petals that can look like peonies when they are arranged closely together. They are best planted where they will receive morning sun, but avoid any harsh afternoon sun as this can fade the color of the petals. They are relatively drought tolerant, but require regular watering when their buds form in the spring.’
B&Q’s Purple Wings variety is scented and comes in a pack of six pots, £32. They also make great patio pot displays, Sutton have five Postiplug plants from their Sweet Pleasure collection for £9.99, which are fragrant and have ‘double blooms’..
4. English Shrub Rose
(Image credit: Getty Images)
There are quite a few Varieties of roses that look just like peonies. ‘By early summer, turn to English bush roses for a peony fix,’ suggests Julian. ‘This elegant bloom mimics the elegant, ruffled form of a peony, adds a delicious scent and will keep flowering all season with little deadheading.’
You can’t beat the scent Garden roses; They are second to none and bring great beauty to your garden. Perhaps the David Austin rose is the most iconic – you can’t go wrong with them. Top of my list to copy would be the Sarah Barnhardt Peony – which is a pale pink Queen of Sweden, which is a good alternative to pots. It’s a very similar pale pink, and you can find it at Burford Garden Co. Can buy for £35 from
For more impressive, deep pink, there is Dobby’s Rose Laguna, a climbing hybrid tea rose with double blooms and a lemon scent, is currently £40.49 for a four liter pot.
5. Dinner plate style dahlias
(Image credit: Getty Images/Sagarmanis)
There is nothing more attractive than a ‘dinner plate’ style dahlia. ‘When it’s midsummer, dinner plate dahlias come into the spotlight,’ says Julian. ‘Their oversized, flower heads bring instant drama and texture, perfectly echoing the soft tones and romantic scale of peonies. Mix this look on your borders, and you’ll take it Cottage-garden charm until autumn.’
The final variety to choose from is the Café au Lait (pick up A three liter pot for £14.99 at Crocus); It can sell quickly due to its stunning appearance. Heads can grow to a massive 20-25cm and are peachy creamy in colour. Now is the right time to buy dahlias Before they sell for the season.
If you want to create a dramatic show in a container or border, then consider J Parker’s Emory Paul, who is just as big. They come in a choice of 10, three or one tuber with prices starting from £4.99.
6. Marigolds
(Image credit: Getty/Schnudel)
You might be thinking, ‘Why? Marigolds On this list?’ Because the variety that comes to mind is not drinkable at all. However, there are over 50 varieties, and we’ve picked out a few that have the penny look – we promise!
‘Marigolds produce larger flowers that last longer than the sometimes short-lived blooms of peonies,’ explains Richard. They are great Flowers to attract pollinating insects in your garden, and can also be used to repel pests from other plants. French and African marigolds are the best varieties to grow for flowers like peonies, as both will produce frilly, fluffy flowers.’
This Thompson & Morgan’s ‘French Vanilla’ F1 hybrid variety is a large-headed marigold that comes in a lemon colour, £12.99 12 plants ready for the garden, shipped late May. They are perfect for a contemporary-style garden.
Another is the eye-catching variety Marvel Vanilla, J. From £12.99 for a tray of 15 from Parkers. This is great if you want a mass planting look.
7. Camellia
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Camellias bloom From late winter to early spring, this hardy evergreen shrub produces white, pink or red flowers that are eye-catching and a very welcome splash of color during the gray months.
Camellia x Williamsi ‘Anticipation’ (Crocus have £24.99 for a two liter pot), it blooms from February to April, and you’d be hard pressed to tell the lush, heavily ruffled flowers of a giant peony like ‘Dr Alexander Fleming’, (Dobby sells this variety for £11.99 for a bare root plant)’ says Lucy.
‘Another significant difference between camellias and peonies is that they bloom at different times of the year,’ says Lucy. The best thing about this is that you have a beautiful peony look that will add a blousy style when peonies are not available.
Shopping essentials for peonies blooming in style all year round
Thompson and Morgan
Peony Frame Outdoor Heavy Duty Garden Plant Support
Whether you’re planting peonies or something else in your borders, these sturdy metal frames are an essential garden tool that supports plants growing straight instead of flopping over.
Bergen and Ball
140mm Carbon Steel Garden Scissors
These deadheader garden shears have excellent comfort and grip with high quality blades that will stay sharp with prolonged use. They are endorsed by the RHS and have a 10 year guarantee.
Plantworks Ltd
Empathy Bulb Starter, 250 g
Give your bulbs the best start with this starter that feeds them with bio-active ingredients and mycorrhizal fungi. Both will improve nutrient and water absorption.
My advice as a florist is to take full advantage during the season and Keep your peonies blooming as long as possible. At the same time, plan ahead by looking at the beautiful varieties mentioned so you can get peony lookalikes in bloom for the rest of the year.
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