Peonies are breathtaking plants to have in your garden in the early spring when they are in full bloom and covered by 5 inch and larger, colorful blooms. After they are done blooming, peonies take on the role of a medium sized background shrub in your garden displaying large, deep green leaves that are attractive and deer resistant. To keep your garden in full bloom throughout the growing season, try experimenting with companion planting.

In this picture taken at our farm in Summerville, Oregon we planted Karl Rosenfeld Peony at the base of a Morden Centennial Rose.  One of the first roses in our nursery to bloom each year, Morden Centennial rose keeps up the display all season long producing double red-pink flowers all along the long arching canes. In the fall, Morden Centennial produces lovely bright red hips. Morden Centennial Rose starts out blooming just after the flowers of Karl Rosenfeld Peony are open and keeps going long after the peony blooms have faded. The lush, green foliage of the peony plant makes for a nice backdrop for the red flowers of Morden Centennial rose.