7 dwarf peonies for a border or small garden

The botanical peony - Paeonia officinalis Mollis, bright pink flowers

Reaching 40 to 50 cm at maturity, the botanical peony – Paeonia officinalis Mollis is one of the smallest of its species. From late May to July it offers single flowers 8 cm in diameter, with satiny, bright pink petals. They open in a cup or calyx shape around a centre of dark yellow stamens. The foliage is dissected and deeply divided into lanceolate segments with pointed tips. Green tinged with purple, it is deciduous. This perennial grows in full sun or partial shade, in calcareous, fertile, loose, cool and well-drained soil. It is hardy down to -20 °C.

Plant it in a sunny spot, in a border, a rockery or at the edge of a bed, and pair it with other perennial plants such as columbines, campanulas and foxgloves.

The botanical peony - Paeonia tenuifolia, a rare peony

The botanical peony – Paeonia tenuifolia is a rare peony, prized by collectors for its fine, airy foliage, similar to that of fennel, and its scarlet flowers. This peony flowers in April and offers a striking contrast between dark green leaves and a bright, cheerful flowering. The single, cup-shaped flowers measure 6 to 8 cm in diameter, are short-lived and have a centre of golden-yellow stamens and a red, deeply divided pistil. This herbaceous peony, with deciduous foliage, reaches a height of 40 cm at maturity. It goes dormant in summer. It is grown in full sun or partial shade in soil that is fresh to dry in summer. It is hardy down to −23 °C and prefers climates with well-defined seasons.

Plant it in a rockery or at the edge of a border, alongside botanical tulips, muscari and moss phlox, such as the variety ‘Amazing Grace’.

The botanical peony - Paeonia mascula, with large pink flowers

The botanical peony – Paeonia mascula, also called the male peony or coral peony, grows to a height of 50 cm and is distinguished by its large 12 cm-diameter flowers in a fresh, vivid madder-pink. They open between March and May, depending on the climate in your area, in single cups with a centre filled with yellow stamens. This peony produces bicoloured seeds, bright red or black. Only the latter are fertile. Its foliage is divided into broad, undulating leaflets, glaucous green in colour and paler on the underside. It prefers partial shade and very well-drained calcareous soil.

Plant it at the foot of trees in an understorey setting and give it companions such as ferns and periwinkles.

The peony 'Early Scout', an award-winning peony

The peony ‘Early Scout’ is an early-flowering peony that has been awarded in the United States for its beauty and robustness. It received the Gold Medal of the American Peony Society. In April it produces crimson-red flowers 8 cm in diameter with golden centres on a backdrop of finely divided, airy foliage of a clear matt green. It forms a clump 45 cm high by 55 cm wide. Hardy down to -23 °C, it is a hybrid derived from the rare botanical peony – Paeonia tenuifolia. Easy to grow, it establishes in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. It adapts to all climates, with a preference for those with well-defined seasons.

Plant it at the edge of a border, as a specimen or with forget-me-nots and other later-flowering plants to create a long-lasting flowering display.

The botanical peony - Paeonia humilis, a compact peony

The botanical peony – Paeonia humilis is a compact perennial plant, reaching 35 cm in height at maturity. A size suited to a small garden or a border. In April and May it produces 10 cm diameter flowers, single and cup-shaped, of a purplish-red, adorned with a centre of yellow stamens. Its dark green foliage is attractively textured. Also called the mountain peony, this botanical peony is robust and drought-tolerant. It prefers calcareous, very well-drained soils and adapts to warm, dry climates.

Plant it in a border or rock garden and pair it with hellebores, iberis and lavenders.

The botanical peony - Paeonia emodi, a white flowering

55 cm tall, the botany peony – Paeonia emodi stands out for its white flowers with a golden centre. Of modest stature, it is a vigorous, floriferous species from the Himalayas. It blooms in May, producing 9 cm diameter flowers with white petals and a single cup-shaped form, on finely divided, elegant foliage, glossy green and purple. Several flowers appear on the same stem. It is grown in partial shade or shade, in cool soil. Hardy down to -23 °C, it adapts to mountain climate.

Plant this peony, rare in cultivation, in a spot sheltered from the sun, and pair it with lilacs and blue hostas.

The Itoh peony 'Garden Treasure', a yellow flowering

The Itoh peony ‘Garden Treasure’ is a herbaceous peony 60 cm tall with bright yellow flowering. In May it produces semi-double flowers adorned with canary-yellow petals, which turn butter-yellow over time and give off a pleasant fruity fragrance. The flowers measure 12 cm in diameter and appear on medium-green foliage that is deciduous. Plant it in full sun or partial shade, in cool, well-drained soil. A dressing of compost in March is beneficial. It is hardy down to -29 °C.

Plant it in groups of three plants in a perennial border and pair it with roses or irises. You can use its cut flowers in a cut flower arrangement, like other peonies.

For further reading

Discover our complete range of peonies and our comprehensive guide to growing and planting peonies.