What to plant with peonies

[rainydogday]

I have a new small flowerbed and have always wanted to grow peonies. What can I grow next to or under ie bulbs etc. I have read the like to be planted shallow and don't like to be swamped. But I don't want a bare patch would it dies down or before it has sprouted......any ideas?

You could try a phlox paniculata cultivar for pink, mauve or white flowers. The RHS website lists loads, and they can be found at most garden centres, nurseries and e-bay.

Personally I love heleniums for summer colour, but they will need a support or two as they are a bit floppy. Cut them back to half their height this week (the Chelsea chop!) and they will bush out more.

For annuals you could use good old-fashioned clarkia and cosmos, or you could pop in some dahlias (these are half-hardy perennials and will need lifted in autumn depending on where you are).

Also Montbretia (lots of colours and heights and flower at different times) and Hemerocallis will also follow on nicely from the peonies too.

Something a bit unusual that always got admired in the old garden (destructo-dog has destroyed mine here) was Monarda, earl grey scented leaves, and unusual flowers in reds, pinks or mauves.