Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangeaceae · flowers
Paeonia lactiflora
Paeoniaceae · flowers
Hydrangea (Zones 5-9)
Peony (Zones 3-8)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–8
| Feature | Hydrangea | Peony |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hydrangea macrophylla | Paeonia lactiflora |
| Family | Hydrangeaceae | Paeoniaceae |
| Category | flowers | flowers |
| Sun | ⛅ Part Shade | ☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium to High | 💧💧 Medium |
| Soil | Rich, Moist | Rich, Well-drained |
| Height | 6' | 3' |
| Spread | 6' | 3' |
| Bloom Season | Summer | Late Spring |
| Bloom Color | Blue, Pink, White | Pink, White, Red |
| Growth Rate | Medium | Slow |
| Native Region | Japan | East Asia |
| Maintenance | Medium | Low |
Hydrangea
Peony
Hydrangea
Peony
Choose Hydrangea if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium to high 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.
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