Oriental Lily vs Peony

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

Oriental Lily

Lilium orientalis

Liliaceae · bulbs

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Peony

Paeonia lactiflora

Paeoniaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Oriental Lily (Zones 4-8)

Peony (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Oriental Lily	Peony
Scientific Name	Lilium orientalis	Paeonia lactiflora
Family	Liliaceae	Paeoniaceae
Category	bulbs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Acidic, Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	4'	3'
Spread	1'	3'
Bloom Season	Late Summer	Late Spring
Bloom Color	White, Pink, Red	Pink, White, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Slow
Native Region	Japan	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Oriental Lily

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Peony

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Oriental Lily

✓Plant 8 inches deep.
✓Need acidic soil — add sulfur if needed.
✓Excellent cut flowers.
✓Protect from lily leaf beetle.
✓Toxic to cats.

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 Oriental Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

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 4–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun to part shade), making them potential garden companions.

View Oriental LilyProfile →View PeonyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Oriental Lily and Peony grow in the same hardiness zone?

Oriental Lily grows in USDA zones 4-8, while Peony grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

Do Oriental Lily and Peony have the same sun and water needs?

Oriental Lily needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Peony needs full sun to part shade and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Oriental Lily or Peony?

Oriental Lily grows taller at 4' compared to Peony at 3'. Oriental Lily spreads 1' while Peony spreads 3'.

Are Oriental Lily and Peony deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Oriental Lily or Peony?

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

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Oriental Lily	Peony
Scientific Name	Lilium orientalis	Paeonia lactiflora
Family	Liliaceae	Paeoniaceae
Category	bulbs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Acidic, Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	4'	3'
Spread	1'	3'
Bloom Season	Late Summer	Late Spring
Bloom Color	White, Pink, Red	Pink, White, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Slow
Native Region	Japan	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Oriental Lily

✓Plant 8 inches deep.
✓Need acidic soil — add sulfur if needed.
✓Excellent cut flowers.
✓Protect from lily leaf beetle.
✓Toxic to cats.

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 Oriental Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

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 4–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun to part shade), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Oriental Lily and Peony grow in the same hardiness zone?

Oriental Lily grows in USDA zones 4-8, while Peony grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

Do Oriental Lily and Peony have the same sun and water needs?

Oriental Lily needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Peony needs full sun to part shade and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Oriental Lily or Peony?

Oriental Lily grows taller at 4' compared to Peony at 3'. Oriental Lily spreads 1' while Peony spreads 3'.

Are Oriental Lily and Peony deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Oriental Lily or Peony?

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