Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Gladiolus spp.
Iridaceae · bulbs
Paeonia lactiflora
Paeoniaceae · flowers
Gladiolus (Zones 7-10)
Peony (Zones 3-8)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–8
| Feature | Gladiolus | Peony |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gladiolus spp. | Paeonia lactiflora |
| Family | Iridaceae | Paeoniaceae |
| Category | bulbs | flowers |
| Sun | ☀️ Full Sun | ☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧💧 Medium |
| Soil | Rich, Well-drained | Rich, Well-drained |
| Height | 4' | 3' |
| Spread | 8" | 3' |
| Bloom Season | Summer | Late Spring |
| Bloom Color | Mixed | Pink, White, Red |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Slow |
| Native Region | Africa, Mediterranean | East Asia |
| Maintenance | Medium | Low |
Gladiolus
Peony
Gladiolus
Peony
Choose Gladiolus if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.
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 7–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
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