Peonies: a flower with a rich history and the perfect addition to a rose garden

The beautiful peony, often simply called 'peony', has a rich history and a special charm that has been loved for thousands of years. The origins and symbolism of this flower go back a long way, and the peony has remained popular throughout the centuries. In this blog we delve into the history of the peony, their origins, and how you can perfectly combine these beautiful flowers with roses in your garden.

Where does the peony come from?

Peonies are native to Asia, particularly China and Japan, and some varieties are also native to parts of Europe and North America. They have been cultivated and revered in China for more than 2,000 years. The flower is known there as the symbol of wealth, honor and happiness and is even considered the national flower of the country. Around the eighteenth century, peonies were brought to Europe, where they quickly became popular in royal and aristocratic gardens.

In the meantime, the 'tree peony' (Paeonia suffruticosa) was developed in Japan, a species with larger flowers and a woody stem. Both varieties, the herbaceous peony and the tree peony, can now be found in many gardens around the world, loved for their lush flowering and often long lifespan.

Symbolism and meaning

Due to their long history in China and Japan, peonies have acquired a deep symbolic value. In China they are often associated with love, romance and prosperity. The bloom of a peony, full and majestic, symbolizes happiness and abundance. In the West, peonies often represent honor and healing, as well as romantic love and rebirth, especially when they bloom in the spring. This makes them a beautiful addition to the symbolism of roses, which traditionally represent love, passion and beauty.

Peonies and roses: a perfect combination

Peonies and roses are a great combination in a garden. Although both flowers are beautiful in their own right, they visually enhance each other through their different, yet complementary characteristics.

• Beautiful color: Peonies often offer soft colors such as pastel pink, white and soft yellow, which pair beautifully with the many color variations of roses. For example, think of a soft pink peony next to a deep red rose – a perfect combination of elegance and intensity.

• Blooming time: Peonies usually bloom in late spring to early summer, often just before the roses really come into full bloom. By planting both flowers, you ensure a long flowering period in the garden, with one flower following the other beautifully.

• Contrasts in shape and texture: While peony flowers are often large and bulbous, roses have more variation in flower shape, from tightly curled buds to wide-open blooms. The contrast between the robust, often round peony flowers and the graceful, delicate roses gives a playful effect to the garden.

Tips for combining peonies and roses

If you want to plant peonies and roses together, there are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Space and visibility: Make sure that both plants have enough space to grow, because peonies can grow widely and roses, especially climbing roses, require vertical space. Give each plant space to show off without overpowering the other.

2. The right location: Both flowers love sunlight, so choose a spot in the garden with at least six hours of sun per day.

3. Soil and nutrition: Peonies and roses have similar nutritional needs. Provide well-drained soil and enrich it annually with compost or organic fertilizer to provide the flowers with sufficient nutrition.

4. Maintenance: Although both flowers require relatively little maintenance, they do benefit from pruning and fertilization. Peonies need pruning every year after flowering, while roses require a little more attention to maintain healthy growth and flowers.

Ready for a combination of peonies and roses?

A garden with both peonies and roses offers not only visual pleasure, but also rich symbolism and history. At Belle Epoque we are happy to help you choose the right roses and peonies that match perfectly and turn your garden into a romantic paradise.