Now that the rush of spring planting is behind us, it's time to turn our gardening thoughts to new projects. I thought I would include in this edition of the newsletter some thoughts on plants that associate well with peonies.

There are numerous schools of thought on how a garden should be designed. There are those that work on the form and function and choose plants to fill a specific design need.

At the other end of the spectrum are those who just love collecting plants and will pop them into any space they can find. I fall between the two (with perhaps a slight leaning towards plant collecting).

Because peonies are such spectacular plants when in bloom doesn't it make sense to go for the big show rather than season long interest? Wouldn't you rather have a border that took your (and your neighbor's) breath away for a month than one that looked just nice for 3 months?

If you have the space, consider making a border that is intended to be at it's best in June and just respectable for the remainder of the season. Peonies of course can be the main attraction of such a border. Design other areas of the garden to peak earlier and later in the season.

With this in mind I offer the following tips and suggestions for creating a stunning June border to showcase your peonies.

• Soft blues, pinks and greens tend to have an informal effect, which tends to calm the viewer. Brighter colours are more stimulating. We all need more tranquility these days! Aim for the informal tranquil effect. It is however, in my opinion, the hardest to achieve. (In a later edition of the newsletter, I'll provide some ideas on other colour schemes)

• Both yellow and white daffodils look superb with the unfolding peony shoots early in the season. Choose tulips whose colours look good next to the deep purple shoots of many peonies. Those shown below are triumph tulips 'barcelona'

• Herbaceous perennial borders present a great opportunity to use lots of spring bulbs. As the perennials, and particularly the peonies, grow the dying foliage of the bulbs is hidden from view. Daffodils and tulips will appreciate the same conditions as peonies and should be planted with abandon. Large alliums such as 'purple sensation' look great next to some of the early peonies such as Sanctus shown in the picture below.

• Don't overlook the small bulbs. Though they tend to be more expensive initially they will colonize areas if they like the conditions and are a good investment in the long term. Try Scilla, species cocus and Galanthus in the front of the border. And remember to plant them in good size clumps.

• Another good addition to the front of the border are violets. I dig these things up from my lawn each year and move them to the perennial border. They have lovely flowers and foliage that last well into the summer.

• Still on the subject of the front of the border, Lambs Ears or Stachys byzantina looks wonderful when planted in front of pink peonies such as Martha Bulloch, M. Jules Elie or Sarah Bernhardt. (Tip: cut the flower stalks off the Stachys as they form to help keep the foliage in good shape)

• The soft grey foliage of lavender looks good when planted in front of pink or white peonies. It has the added advantage of providing lavender flowers that can be dried for year long enjoyment of the wonderful lavender smell.

• For a very relaxed informal border, forget-me-nots are a good addition in the front. (Though their foliage tends to be a bit ratty as the season progresses.)

• One of my very favorite plants for the front of an informal border is Nepeta mussini. The foliage is gray while the flowers are a pale lavender blue. The plants don't seem to be very long lived but they do reseed themselves very readily.

• Iris blooms at around the same time as many peonies and their spiky foliage presents a nice contrast with that of the peonies. I particularly like the more delicate flowers of siberian iris. This picture was taken at the Montréal Botanical Gardens and shows sky blue iris in front of a pure white tree peony.

• In one of my earlier gardens I grew a lupine called Chandelier next to some deep coloured peonies called Cavatina. The lupine was a mid to pale yellow and together they looked stunning. If you ever find plants or seeds of Chandelier lupine, I highly recommend them.

• Lilies are excellent companion plants to peonies. Though they generally flower after most peonies they look great towering over the glossy peony foliage. An excellent choice are Black Dragon lilies (shown below) that not only look great, they smell wonderful.

• Digitalis (foxglove) and Campanula persicifolia are good spiky plants that blend nicely with peonies. Just make sure that if the foxgloves are the smaller foxy variety that they are planted next to low peonies or that they are near the front of the border. The taller excelsior hybrid foxgloves should be planted nearer the back of the border.

• Baptisia australis or blue wild indigo, grows to between 3 and 4 feet and has an interesting foliage that lasts throughout the season. The flowers are a deep indigo blue and look great next to just about any colour of peony.

• For many years I grew Aruncus dioicus or goat's beard behind my peonies and the effect was nice. As the Aruncus flowers are a creamy colour, I suggest they not be planted next to white peonies but rather they be behind deep pink or red peonies to maximize the effect of their airy flowers

• If you have enough room to plant shrubs behind your peony border consider mock orange, lilac and viburnums. Depending on the species and cultivars chosen they will flower just before, with or just after your peonies. Adding shrubs behind the border gives it more presence and anchors it nicely to the surrounding landscape.

The above are just a few of the plants that I have grown successfully with my peonies over the years. I'd love to hear what associations you've tried with your peonies!

Lindsay D'Aoust

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