It really depends on what you want. If this is full sun, the hydrangeas will need water. The peonies will be much more self-sufficient. The size of the hydrangeas may vary depending on the winter, and in a warm zone 6 will get larger than the peonies. The peonies will be a more predictable size. The peonies will also put on a more predictable show. The peonies will totally disappear during the winter, which is a *major* advantage if near an impromptu sledding hill.

hmmm...good things to consider. It is in a full sun area, but sledding is not a factor.

any additional input is appreciated.

Kelli

Have you ever seen the "Limelight" hydrangea? It grows great in the sun and blooms for a long time and the flowers dry nicely for you to pick and keep in the house for a dried arrangement. Mine has grown to about 6 or 7 ft. tall in about 3 years but I have started pruning it down to keep it about 5 ft. tall. Its flowers start out green and turn a beautiful shade of white and then pinkish in the fall. Or what about some roses since its in full sun. Either the easy to care for Knockout roses or some floribundas or teas. Just a thought!! Have fun deciding what to do. Judy

I agree. Limelight hydrangeas would be perfect. Hydrangea "Pinky Winky" is also a good one to consider.

I'd also like to say peonies are pretty, but when it rains the blooms flop to the ground and are very quick to be over. The limelight hydrangea, however, is very sturdy and the blooms give interest over the summer and fall.

This has been a question I've been asking myself as well. I have an area that I want to plant either peonies or hydrengeas. I already know the peonies would do well because I have some 'Sandra Bernhardts' planted in a similar area, yet closer to the house.

The area I want to plant hydrangeas is along our south privacy fence, towards the back property line. It doesn't get full sun until noon. I am leaning towards the look of lacecap hydrangeas. Do these plants do fairly well in partial sun?

Heather

I love my peonies, but for your purposes and a much longer season of interest I would go with hydrangeas. Limelight and Pinky Winky are both great hydrangeas. I love my Endless Summer as well, but in full sun you will be doing a LOT of watering. Quickfire is another fairly new one that is said to start blooming earlier. I haven't tried that variety so can't say if that's so.

Ok thank you so much for your input. Do the limelight bloom all through the summer??

Kelli

Hi Kelli, My limelight is in full bloom by the middle of June and stays that way until they turn brown in the fall. The white blooms start turning green after a couple months and some even turn a real pretty shade of pink. Mine doesn't get sun all day long so someone elses might bloom even longer if it had sun all day. Mine gets sun starting at about 2 in the afternoon.

Peonies are real pretty too. They just don't bloom long enough. I wish they would bloom all summer long.

Have you thought about roses? They bloom all summer too. Take care, Judy

Mine do. Basically, around June/July my Limelight hydrangeas have blooms and these change and last through the fall.

Very cool! I am going to check into the limelight hydrangeas. Interestingly enough I actually have some pinky winky's coming.

I have rose bushes in other places, but wanted to keep this area a little more bushy. I have many other places for roses too!

Kelli

If it matters, peonies are highly deer resistant; hydrangeas in general are not.

BTW, there are a number of H. species--macrophyllas, arborescens and paniculatas being the most common. If you don't clarify the differences, you're talking apples and oranges. The growth habits and cultivation needs differ some, and there are a number of cultivars in each species--especially the first and last. 'Limelight' and 'Pinky Winky' (and 'Tardiva, 'Dharuma', 'Moth', and 'Grandiflora'--often called the Pee Gee hydrangea, and others as well) is a H. paniculata. The blue and pink ones are macrophyllas. H. arborescens cultivars need much more shade than the other two. Most of the paniculatas can take full sun.

For the original poster's border--what's wrong with both Hydrangeas and Peonies? And some other shrubs as well.

Peonies sound great with hydrangeas too. The more the merrier. I don't keep up with all the different cultivars, I just know what has worked well for me. Have fun Kelli!!

great idea. Plant both. After the peonies are done blooming, your limelight hydrangeas will take over from there. Put the hydrangeas in a row closest to your neighbors' yard and the peonies in front of them towards your side. I might do this too. Sounds pretty but costly.

Laceyvail beat me to it:) I see no reason if you have the space to make a decision between these two categories of plants, both of which are wonderful. If you feel comfortable with roses also there are so many that flower beautifully all summer without requiring tons of care as Judy points out.

Just how much space are we talking about?

Kate

Ohhh...I'm loving the idea of both. It's a fairly large area...so I may just "start" the border this year. I'll take a pic and post it so you can see.

You guys are the best!!

Kelli

Hey Kelli, Just a few more suggestions to mix in in front of the limelights if you have room to go along with your peonies. Shorter phlox and lilies. The lilies are usually done blooming for the most part by the middle of July but the phlox blooms all summer if you deadhead it. I luuuuv perennials that come back year after year. Since you said its a big area go for it and try several things to make a mixed border. The more blooms you have the more butterflies and hummingbirds you will have. Fun fun! Judy

If you are going to go with both hydrangea and peony, I would highly recommend Scarlet O'Hara peonies as a peony choice. I have them planted in a row and they have very sturdy stems and single flowers that do not flop. They are not as red as you would think by the name. They are beautiful and very carefree. No staking and no flopping when it rains. The flowers last for a very long time compared to most of the other peonies in my gardens. In just a few years they were 3' X 3' in size.

In the article Hydrangea vs Peony: Battle of Blooming you will find all differences and similarities between these two plants.