What can I grow to prolong season of interest in the peony area of my garden?

[Greengingers]

My peonies have been absolutely gorgeous this year. I'm so sad that they're slowly on the turn already and I'll have to wait until next spring to see them bloom again!
I was wondering about growing something next to them that would prolong the season of interest, but I'm wary of planting anything that might interfere with next spring's performance! The soil in that part of my garden is fairly poor and sun baked, but I do spend a lot of time adding organic matter and watering. I was thinking maybe a late summer bulb like a nerine or a lily, or perhaps a late summer salvia or Japanese anemone? My reasoning was that I'd want something that wouldn't start to make an appearance until June at the very earliest as I wouldn't want it to interfere with the peonies. However I'd love to know what successes the wise MNers have had for complementary planting that takes over from where the peonies leave off. TIA

I grow cosmos from seed starting them in the greenhouse- they are feathery and wafty so wouldn't overwhelm the peonies also quite tall - I think they'd be ok in poor soil as I grow mine in tubs. And would contrast nicely with the peony leaves.

I have put dahlias around my peonies. By the time the peonies have finished, the dahlias are starting to look bushy and in a few weeks will be flowering. They then go on until October.

I have alliums (christophii), dahlias and cranesbill geraniums

I’ve got roses and geraniums. They are just starting now and take over from the peonies. Also have verbena bonaseries for height. I’ve snuck a few cosmos on but I think there might be too much competition.

I have a fuchsia bush next to my peonies.it’s very hardy and whilst it’s currently just sprouting fresh green leaves it will soon be a mass of red droplets that last into October.

I don’t think you need to worry too much about competition for your peonies. They are remarkably tough, well known as survivors in neglected and deserted gardens. Once established, they are difficult to kill or even discourage . As long as you are not putting a notorious thug like golden rod so the roots are overwhelmed, or something which will shade them out at close quarters, any of the suggestions above will be fine.

Thank you so much for all your suggestions and advice. I love dahlias but I’ve always been a bit intimidated by the idea of having to lift them every winter. Maybe it’s time that I gave them a go finally!

Depending on where you live, you can probably get away without lifting your dahlias. Cut them back after the first frost and cover them with a really thick layer of mulch. And stick in a label!

If you like dahlias and don’t want to lift the tubers in winter, then don’t. Just treat them like an annual and plant new tubers each year. A more expensive way of doing it, but I bought wilko tubers a couple of years ago and they performed absolutely brilliantly. I think they were a few pounds each, maybe a bit less. Amazing value and so long flowering.

I have upgraded to Sarah Raven tubers for this year, they’ve sprouted but yet to bud. If they don’t do well, I will be going back to wilko next year!