Fountain Grass vs Peony

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Poaceae · grasses

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Peony

Paeonia lactiflora

Paeoniaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Fountain Grass (Zones 5-9)

Peony (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Fountain Grass	Peony
Scientific Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides	Paeonia lactiflora
Family	Poaceae	Paeoniaceae
Category	grasses	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	4'	3'
Spread	3'	3'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Late Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, Tan	Pink, White, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
Native Region	East Asia, Australia	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Fountain Grass

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Peony

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Fountain Grass

✓Cut back to 6 inches in late winter before new growth.
✓Divide every 3-4 years.
✓Leave seed heads for winter interest.
✓Drought tolerant once established.

Peony

✓Plant eyes (buds) no deeper than 2 inches below soil surface.
✓Provide support for heavy blooms.
✓Don't move established plants — they resent transplanting.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Fountain Grass if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

Choose Peony if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Fountain GrassProfile →View PeonyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fountain Grass and Peony grow in the same hardiness zone?

Fountain Grass grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Peony grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

Do Fountain Grass and Peony have the same sun and water needs?

Fountain Grass needs full sun and medium water, while Peony needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Fountain Grass or Peony?

Fountain Grass grows taller at 4' compared to Peony at 3'. Fountain Grass spreads 3' while Peony spreads 3'.

Are Fountain Grass and Peony deer resistant?

Yes, both Fountain Grass and Peony are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Fountain Grass or Peony?

Both Fountain Grass and Peony have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Fountain Grass	Peony
Scientific Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides	Paeonia lactiflora
Family	Poaceae	Paeoniaceae
Category	grasses	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	4'	3'
Spread	3'	3'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Late Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, Tan	Pink, White, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
Native Region	East Asia, Australia	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Fountain Grass

✓Cut back to 6 inches in late winter before new growth.
✓Divide every 3-4 years.
✓Leave seed heads for winter interest.
✓Drought tolerant once established.

Peony

✓Plant eyes (buds) no deeper than 2 inches below soil surface.
✓Provide support for heavy blooms.
✓Don't move established plants — they resent transplanting.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Fountain Grass if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

Choose Peony if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fountain Grass and Peony grow in the same hardiness zone?

Fountain Grass grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Peony grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 8.

Do Fountain Grass and Peony have the same sun and water needs?

Fountain Grass needs full sun and medium water, while Peony needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Fountain Grass or Peony?

Fountain Grass grows taller at 4' compared to Peony at 3'. Fountain Grass spreads 3' while Peony spreads 3'.

Are Fountain Grass and Peony deer resistant?

Yes, both Fountain Grass and Peony are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Fountain Grass or Peony?

Both Fountain Grass and Peony have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.