Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Paeonia lactiflora
Paeoniaceae · flowers
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Peony (Zones 3-8)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8
| Feature | Peony | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paeonia lactiflora | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Paeoniaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | flowers | aquatic |
| Sun | ☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Rich, Well-drained | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 3' | 6" |
| Spread | 3' | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Late Spring | Summer |
| Bloom Color | Pink, White, Red | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Slow | Medium |
| Native Region | East Asia | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Peony
Water Lily
Peony
Water Lily
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.
Choose Water Lily if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with aquatic water in zones 3–11.
Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
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