10 flowers that look like peonies
We love ruffly, fluffy, powder-puff peonies. But we hate that peony season is so short-lived.
If you want peony vibes outside of peony primetime (typically between mid-May to early June, weather permitting) here are ten alternative flowers for a fluffy bouquet.
1. Carnations
Flowering: May to September
These pretty, frilly flowers are like miniature peonies. Delicately frilled petals (sometimes trimmed in a contrasting colour) add that feathery element we love about peonies to your bouquet.
In the language of flowers, carnations symbolise 'devotion'. For this reason, they’re often found in religious Renaissance artworks, with symbolic red carnations often present in Madonna and Child arrangements.
2. Ranunculus
Flowering: May through October
Romantic ranunculus flowers give your bouquet a lovely relaxed look. Plump, abundant petals make these a bit of a halfway house between roses and peonies.
If you’re looking to replicate the look and feel of peonies, you can’t go wrong with a few of these stems in a bouquet!
3. Garden roses
Flowering: May through October
Just like peonies, the options are limitless when it comes to the stunning array of pastel shades on offer with garden roses. But it’s the texture and shape of these blooms that makes them such a great peony alternative.
Similarly to traditional English roses, garden roses have an almost spherical petal arrangement, which makes them an ideal swap for peonies.
4. Hydrangeas
Flowering: mid-spring to late summer
Guaranteed to impress with a plump, rounded head and beautiful colour variants, hydrangeas look stunning amongst leafy green stems - or alone!
Blooming from mid-spring through to late summer, these will more than scratch your itch for fluffy, statement stems.
Learn about the meaning of hydrangeas
5. Anemones
Flowering: early spring to autumn
If it’s bold petals you’re after, anemones deliver the goods. Comprising over 200 species, there is plenty of room for creativity with these in a floral arrangement. And you’ll spot them sometimes in our hand-tied bouquets over the winter months.
When it comes to beautiful colours and pretty petals, we especially like Japanese anemones.
6. Camellias
Flowering: spring to winter depending on the variety
Compact and neat, we think of camellias as the free-spirited peonies' more uptight (but still beautiful) cousin!
This sculptural-looking evergreen shrub is available year-round but really comes into its own in winter months.
Learn about the meaning of camellias
7. Begonias
Flowering: early summer to the first frosts
Although brightly coloured begonias are often found in shaded spots, they actually have tropical origins!
Tuberous begonias with double or ruffled flowers come in a wide variety of shades, including pink, yellow and white. We think they’re a lovely winter alternative to springtime peonies.
8. Dahlias
Flowering: midsummer to the first frosts
Native to Mexico and Central America, dahlias are instantly recognisable thanks to their sun-ray-like petals. Just like peonies, they add a welcome injection of bright colours and texture to a bouquet.
Garden relatives include sunflowers, daisies and chrysanthemums - so they’re in good company when it comes to crafting a beautiful and eye-catching bouquet.
9. Double tulips
Flowering: end of March to mid-May
Imagine a normal tulip, but with twice as many petals. The elegant spray of double petals makes these bulb flowers a striking alternative to peonies. Add several stems to a bouquet for wow-factor.
10. Marigolds
Flowering: summer to autumn
You’d be hard-pressed to find blooms more cheery than marigolds. In sunny gold, orange and bronze shades, their array of scattered petals opens up into a sunshine-filled symphony of colour and texture.
Marigolds bloom brightly all summer long, which makes them a fabulous alternative to shorter-lived peonies.
Frequently Asked Questions about Peony-Like Flowers
Q: What flower is similar to a peony?
A: A flower that is similar to a peony is the ranunculus. It shares some visual characteristics and petal structure with peonies.
Q: What is the difference between a peony and a ranunculus?
A: The main difference between a peony and a ranunculus lies in their botanical classification, appearance, and growth habits. Peonies have large, lush blooms with many petals, while ranunculus has smaller, delicate blooms with numerous layers of papery petals.
Q: What flower looks like a peony and a rose?
A: The flower that resembles both a peony and a rose is the garden rose. Garden roses often have large, multi-layered petals similar to peonies, while maintaining the overall shape and elegance associated with roses.
Q: Does camellia look like a peony?
A: While camellias and peonies may share some visual similarities, they are different species and have distinct characteristics. Camellias have glossy evergreen leaves and produce blooms with a more symmetrical shape, while peonies have herbaceous leaves and their blooms tend to be larger and have more layers of petals.
Order Peonies Online
Still want your peony fix? You can enjoy them every day for free with our flower wallpapers, ready to download instantly!
Also a fan of roses, but hunting for some alternative stems? We’ve broken down our top 10 flowers that look like roses. over on the Rose Flower Journal.
And, of course, you can shop for some of our peony lookalikes in our letterbox flower selection online.