Wanna know the secrets of floral elegance just like peonies? Discover them with these 15 stunning flowers that mirror the timeless beauty of peonies. This guide introduces a bouquet of alternatives that can enchant any garden or arrangement. Delve into the world of botanical doppelgängers, each bloom offering a unique charm reminiscent of peonies. Let your floral journey begin!
With bold petals and bright centers, anemones add a creative touch to floral arrangements. Japanese anemones, available in pretty shades and petal varieties, provide endless possibilities for captivating displays. They thrive in USDA zones 4-8, making them suitable for various climates.
Tuberous begonias, featuring double or ruffled blooms in shades of yellow, pink, and white, emerge as a vibrant alternative to springtime peonies. Thriving in USDA zones 9-11, these begonias bring a burst of color to gardens with their unique charm.
Camellias, compact, upright, and tidy, stand as the beautiful cousins of peonies. Available year-round, these sculptured evergreen shrubs add elegance to any setting. Camellias flourish in USDA zones 6-10, offering a consistent floral presence throughout the seasons.
Chabaud Carnations, boasting a ruffled texture akin to full-bloomed peonies, provide a graceful alternative in various shades. Thriving in USDA zones 6-9, these carnations make for an enchanting addition to gardens with peony-like allure.
Famous worldwide, Chrysanthemums come in various sizes and shapes. Opt for the pompom or disbud variety for a stunning peony alternative. Chrysanthemums are versatile in USDA zones 5-9, offering multiple options for different climates.
Dahlias, replicating the look and feel of peonies, bring a welcoming note of bright color and texture to bouquets. Suited for USDA zones 8-11, dahlias thrive in warmer climates, providing a vibrant and lush floral display.
The Allure of Peonies and 10 Stunning Lookalike Blooms
Peonies hold a special place in the floral world. Their lush full blooms and elegant ruffled petals make them one of the most beloved flowers for bouquets, centerpieces and gardens. Peonies have an old-world romanticism about them that feels timeless yet fresh. Their beauty and associations with love and prosperity have made peonies a top choice for weddings and celebrations for centuries.
However, peonies have a frustratingly short seasonal window. Their peak bloom time is typically only April to early June. Finding gorgeous peony-like flowers that bloom at other times is key to enjoying that peony look year-round. The good news is several flowers nicely capture the peony’s abundance, softness, and grace. Here are 10 peony lookalikes to love:
CarnationsWith their fluffy feathery petals carnations resemble miniature peonies. The ruffled layers create a full, fluffy bloom. Carnations bloom from May to September, extending the peony season. Available in brights and pastels, carnations add affordable beauty to bouquets.
Ranunculus
Ranunculus offer lovely layered blooms in spring hues like pink, purple, yellow, orange and white. Their delicate, crepe-like petals radiate from a dense center, much like peonies. Ranunculus bloom time is March through early summer.
Garden RosesGarden rose varieties like cabbage roses capture the peony’s abundance of loosely arranged petals creating lush, full-bodied blooms. They bloom in almost every color from May through October.
Anemones
Anemone’s layers of delicate petals and open flower shape give it a lovely peony vibe. Japanese and poppy anemones in white, pink, purple and red make simple, elegant floral arrangements that evoke peonies. Anemones bloom late winter into fall.
Hydrangeas
The large, dense, flattened mophead hydrangea blossoms resemble giant peonies. Their small clustered petals create a soft fullness. The variety of colors – pink, blue, purple, green – increases their versatility as peony stand-ins.
Dahlias
Dinnerplate dahlias and pom pom dahlias offer huge, dense blooms that capture the peony’s abundance of petals. Dahlias bloom prolifically in all colors but blue from mid-summer into fall, extending the season.
Lisianthus
With lush, abundant petals and beautiful color range, lisianthus is often mistaken for peonies and roses. Long-stemmed lisianthus shine in bouquets and centerpieces when peonies are out of season. The name lisianthus means “bitter flower” referring to its unpleasant taste.
Camellias
Camellias like the peony japonica produce lush, flower heads in shades of pink, red and white. The flowers bloom early, before peonies, on attractive bushy shrubs. Camellia flowers make pretty short-stemmed bouquets.
Chrysanthemums
The pompom and disbud chrysanthemum varieties offer dense, fluffy blooms reminiscent of peonies. Chrysanthemums provide abundant color from September into November long after peonies are gone.
Roses
Certain rose varieties like cabbage roses and garden roses mimic the peony’s lush fullness. David Austen English roses are known for their peony flower form and intense fragrance. The Julia Child and Princess Charlene de Monaco roses are peony-like.
Tulips
Double bloom tulips have so many petals they take on a peony shape. The fuller flower form makes them great for bouquets. Double tulips bloom in spring like traditional tulips but in a vivid color range.
Loving Peonies? Grow Your Own
Part of the mystique of peonies lies in their short bloom season. But if you are lucky enough to have space for a garden, you can enjoy homegrown peonies year after year. Here are some tips for success:
Select a sunny spot with rich, well-draining soil. Peonies thrive in zones 3-8.
Plant the tubers or roots 2-3 inches below ground in fall. Space plants 3 feet apart.
Add compost or manure in spring to encourage large blooms.
Avoid transplanting mature plants which can disrupt growth.
Add plant supports to keep the heavy blooms upright.
Deadhead flowers once they fade, and cut back stems in fall.
Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
Apply organic mulch around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Propagate by dividing tubers when plants get overcrowded, in fall.
With proper care, peonies can live over 100 years! Herbaceous varieties may take 2-3 years to bloom from planting. But once established, they reward us with their stunning beauty each spring.
The Allure of Peonies Year-Round
While true peony flowers are ephemeral, lasting just days in a vase, there are so many flowers that capture their beauty at other times of year. Exploring peony lookalikes like garden roses, camellias, and ranunculus extends that lush romantic look through the seasons.
Peonies will always be special for their joyous yet fleeting blooms each spring. But thankfully we can fashion gorgeous bouquets with peony-esque flowers all year long. With so many options that mimic the peony’s irresistible flowers, we can surround ourselves with lush blossoms and satisfy our peony cravings no matter the season.
Double Tulips (Tulipa spp.)
Double Tulips showcase twice as many petals as typical tulips, presenting a stunning alternative with a dual splash of petals. These tulips are adapted to USDA zones 3-8 and offer a captivating springtime display.
Garden Roses (Rosa spp.)
Soft, fluffy, and ruffled petals make Garden Roses like Julia Child, May, and Eden Rose the closest alternatives to peonies. Thriving in USDA zones 5-9, these roses add a classic touch to gardens with their peony-like aesthetics.
Plump, round heads and various pretty colors make Hydrangeas stunners that resemble the charm of peonies, blooming from mid-spring to late summer. Hydrangeas adapt well to USDA zones 3-9, providing versatility in garden design.
15 Flowers that Look like Peonies || Beautiful Blooms
FAQ
What flower looks like a peony but isn t?
Q: What flower is similar to a peony? A: A flower that is similar to a peony is the ranunculus.
What flower is similar to the peony?
Ranunculi. Just the thing for those who can’t quite hang on ’til peony season, ranunculi are an early spring flower. Their plump petals means it’s easier to mistake them for peonies, but they don’t dominate as much in bouquets. Think of them as the peony’s daintier cousin.
Are peonies and ranunculus the same?
- Botanical Family: Paeoniaceae
- Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (April-June)
- Bloom Size: Large, showy, and fragrant blooms with many petals
- Flower Shape: Distinct cup-like shape
- Color Variety: Pink, red, white, yellow, and coral
- Growth Habit: Herbaceous or tree-like shrubs
What flower looks like a poppy but isn’t?
Anemone coronarias, or windflowers, are posers that look like poppies. Sold as bulbs, they open their papery, delicate blooms in spring.
What flowers look like a peony?
Julia Child Rose. The flowers of this rose look like peonies, and they have a sweet fragrance. The plant is hardy and easy to care for. If you’re looking for a rose that looks like a peony, the Julia Child Rose is a good option. 24. Lisianthus (Eustoma). This flower is often mistaken for a peony, due to its similar appearance.
Do peony poppies look like peonies?
Peony Poppies Not just the name, but this poppy variety produces flowers that also resemble peonies. The deeply ruffled blooms in pink, red, white, and deep purple hues look adorable. Note: Peony poppies are not botanically linked to peonies; the Papaver somniferum species comprises the opium poppy.
What plants are similar to peonies?
Let’s see how similar and different they are to and from peonies straight away! 1. Cupped Roses (Rosa spp.) 2. Persian Buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus) 3. Poppy Anemones (Anemone coronaria) 4. Camellias (Camellia japonica) 5. ‘Pink Paeony’ Opium Poppy (Pinaverium Somniferous ‘Pink Paeony’) 6. Japanese Quinces (Chaenomeles speciosa) 7.
What flowers bloom after peony season?
Lisianthus blooms just after peony season and is available for most of the year. The multi-layered, ruffled blooms have the same look and feel as peonies and roses. 12. Chrysanthemum This is one of the most popular cut flower varieties in the world and comes in various sizes and shapes. For a peony alternative, go for the pompom or disbud variety.
Are peonies the same as roses?
The only similarity is that they look somewhat alike because of the fluffy, flouncy blooms on both. Rose blooms, however, will outlast peonies but several weeks. When used in floral arrangements you will find that the price of peonies is far more than the price of roses because of the availability of the roses compared to peonies.
What is a peony pink rose called?
The Peony Pink rose is also known as St Cecilia. Use its second name if you are on a look out for a rose bush rather than cut flowers. This rose was introduced in the UK in 1987 but was not used in floristry until now. What kind of camellia looks like a peony?