First, I tried uploading this photo to the multi-plant photo link that's giving acorns, but it wouldn't work. It uploads the photo so I can see it, but then it stalls and will not go past "Save and Proceed with Tagging this Image" button. I click on the button but it does nothing.

This started out to be what I considered a beautiful peony combination with standard pink Weigela, and and old-fashioned double-flower pink peony. This combination is not suggested unless only one Weigela plant is planted in the middle of the peonies (at the appropriate angles for appropriate sunshine) or unless a nice dwarf variety of Weigela is grown. I loved that they bloomed together, but the Weigela became about 10 feet tall (and huge spreading) and the peony plants had to be removed because they were totally being shaded out.

We learn as we garden!
Those are beautiful together.
Which variety are the peonies?

TY Carolyn. That variety of peony I do not know. Very *old* I'd say. Came from my now ex- whose grandmother had planted them. I feel sure they were probably planted at least 50 years ago, based on marriage year calculations and former death of the grandmother.

I was looking at the Weigela varieties and didn't know there were so many. I think Wine and Roses "Alexandra" would look very nice combined with peonies. There were a couple other 3 and 4 foot varieties that would be nice as well.

Here is a nice combo: 'Raspberry Ice' with 'Carnaby' Clematis

That is a nice combo, LG. Annette has also shown pics with clematis/peony combos in the past, they're all lovely. I'm sorry to say I only have 2 growing in my yard and they're not doing so great, think we might be too cold in the winter for most to survive...

Beautiful pic LG, that's a great color echo! Liz is correct, I do like growing clematis in the beds with the peonies.

There's a "Color Echoes" thread in the perennials forum, you should also post this picture there.

Thanks, I also find Siberian Irises bloom about the same time as my peonies. I added several this past Fall, so we shall see what Spring brings this year.

That's true LG, and one of my plans this year is to add plugs of Siberian Caesar's Brother and Butter and Sugar behind some of the peonies.

I have 3 large clumps of CB, and smaller clumps of B&S that I want to spread around the peony beds.

SI Caesar's Brother.


I also have planted in the peony beds spring blooming bulbs, bearded irises, and as Liz stated clematis in the beds as well. Here are a few pics from last spring.

That dark blue Siberian Iris is going to look amazing mixed in with your peonies, Annette! Can't wait to see those pics, your garden is always beautiful!

Thanks Liz!

I'm also looking forward to seeing how the SI do in the peony beds. I was inspired by this picture taken by someone on one of the peony garden tours.

These are not my personal pictures, and I wish I could remember where I saw them to give the person credit for the pics.

I love the bearded irises with the peonies, and I also want to add Foxgloves behind some them.

I've also been looking at adding lupines in some areas. I'm debating starting them from seed myself, or ordering the plants from an online nursery.

Just beautiful, Annette. Just a delight for tired eyes.

Thanks for the kind comment, and the acorn Karen! Hopefully, you'll be getting some rest soon.

Annette @cem9165 I am looking forward to the plants I grew from seeds you sent. You did send seeds, right? CB did really well, and I have a small area where I planted them outside. Hope they will bloom next year. Also have some babies from daylily seeds that were sent. Can hardly wait.

Mary, please be sure to share your pictures when your plants bloom. CB is a lovely iris, and such a striking color.

Annette, I am drooling over your photos!
I have never been able to keep foxgloves or lupines growing in our heat and humidity. I love them both. Delphiniums don't make it here, either. I would try lupine plants, as they are a biennial.

Thanks LG!

The Foxgloves, from potted plants, survive in some areas of my garden. I've tried the Millenium Delphiniums from seeds by winter sowing them, but they didn't survive once planted in the garden. Last year I found potted delphiniums from a local nursery, and they've been planted in the garden in a semi shaded bed, we'll see if they come back this spring.

Several years ago, I sprinkled a hummingbird and butterfly mix seed packet in a bed outside of my daylight basement, and the plants have been coming back for several years. Last year, I noticed a lupine plant growing from that seed mix.

I do love Foxgloves, lupines and delphiniums, and I'm going to keep trying to grow them to incorporate them in the peony beds, if they survive.

Those pics are amazing, Annette! I can see why you were inspired by that garden! I'm going to look for a source for dark blue Siberian Irises immediately after finishing this post and I want to be THAT gardener when I grow up! Her garden is beautiful and the peonies in particular are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the pictures!

Liz, I have a lot of the Caesar's Brother seed, if you want try winter sowing them. The blooms are such a pretty color!

Sending you a tree mail.