Several of the David Austin English roses might fit your requirements if they can be grown where you live. Here is a link to one of his roses in a US catalog to see if that fits your wants: DA Roses

Peonies also have many different shapes just like roses. I am assuming that you want the big, lousy look of a peony. Austin roses would probably be your best bet. Some start out shapely and then turn into a big ball of petals. Kordes now also has some that look like a peony. Most very full roses start out in a tidy shape and then relax and so look like a peony. Many gardeners on the forum have a wide experience of the Austins and will be able to help you.

Kordes Lions Rose

Austin Spirit of Freedom

Austin A Shropshire Lad

Austin Evelyn

What zone or state or region do you live in, Sophia? (I'm in Kansas, zone6).

David Austin's gorgeously dark burgandy/ruby shrub called Munstead Wood is not only wonderful but seems able to compete with a peony in this picture. Munstead so far is about 3x3--might get a bit taller next year.

The white peony in that picture is Festiva Maxima which I planted eons ago, but I seem to remember reading at that time that this is the best peony for southern gardens. I think it was because it is one of the earliest peony bloomers and thus doesn't succumb to the heat as many other later blooming peonies would in a southern garden. It has been a wonderful plant in my garden for years--I have 4 of them, in fact.

The light pink rose to the left of Festiva Maxima is another David Austin rose that has that full "peony" look. It is a climber called The Wedgewood."

Another good Austin with a kind of peony look is Crocus Rose. I don't grow it, but you can see it here. Or how about Princess Alexandra of Kent--see here. (You might browse through the David Austin site on that last link. Austin has many fullbodied roses.)

Is this what you kinda have in mind? It's a bourbon rose called Mystic Beauty that you can order from Roses Unlimited. Or see its near-clone Souvenir de la Malmaison. Either one is wunnerful!

Hope that gives you some ideas.

Kate

Oldrosarian--your Austin photos are gorgeous!

Kate

I concur with wirosarian about the Austin roses. They aren't going to be as large as a peony, but will have some of the look of a peony. My suggestions would be Austin's Brother Cadfael, Evelyn, the Tantau roses Ascot and Augusta Luise. Diane

Augusta Luise

Evelyn and Sarah Bernhardt peonies

Evelyn

Brother Cadfael

Yves Piaget

The first rose that comes to my mind when someone says "peony-like" is 'Paul Neyron'. But be aware that he doesn't do well everywhere. Here, for me, it's very vigorous, and gets an average amount of blackspot -- but I'm in NJ and I don't spray. I find that when the leaves start looking crummy in early July, that's my signal to cut it back. It re-foliates and blooms again shortly thereafter.

:-)

~Christopher

Oh dear lord there's some gorgeous gorgeous pics on here.

I don't have s picture but I think Quiteness had a peony shaped bloom.

Drool worthy ... thank you! Though I also like the look of peony-like David Austins, I am not having success in my zone here. And peonies also don't like the Hawaii climate either so double loss for me. Glad to enjoy everyone else's successes though!

Amazing pics. They really do resemble peonies. One thing you might consider, Sophia, is whether or not you intend to cut them for inside. I love the Austin roses but find that they don't last in the vase at all. I do not however, grow any of the ones shown above. Maybe they are better than the ones I grow. How long do these usually last cut for you all? Which ones seem to last longest cut? Lisa

Thanks for your comments on our photos everyone. I think Evelyn is among the best of the Austins for bouquet longevity that I've had experience with. Brother Cadfael is OK. Jude the Obscure doesn't last, Most Austins are in the OK range for me. They don't last as long as the HT Romantica Frederic Mistral, or as long as a peony (usually). Ascot and Augusta Luise aren't Austin roses, but they last cut in the same time frame as Austins. But it depends on how open the bloom is, too, and if it's the peak of summer heat or a cool autumn day. Diane

Sophia, have you considered tree peonies. They don't need the chill hours that herbaceous peonies require, and, as long as they are protected from afternoon sun, they grow and flower happily, even in pots. They are quite slow growing so do not require frequent repotting. They are pricey to buy compared to bareroot roses, which can be a major drawback, but often they are sold at the big garden shows at discount prices. Mistydowns (Vic) sell them on-line as well as roses and I'm sure you would find nurseries in NSW that sell them as well. Melodye.

Lovely!!! And I just realized why certain shapes of the Austins tug at my heart. Memories of watching Mom arrange peonies before a party.

Ozmelodye, have you had any success with tree Peony's in zone 10? I have been wanting one for so long, but I'm afraid it wont bloom. Can you recommend any varieties that might do well for me in South Florida?

I've had good success with P. ostii here in California--although it doesn't seem to like dry heat. I'm in zone 10a.

I don't have any pictures, but how about a Delbard rose, Madame Figaro? If you live in a place too warm for most peonies, this rose would probably be happy there. Although it wasn't my first choice, I got it because the blooms remind me of an older peony that I grow, Mrs. F D Roosevelt. I've only had this rose since June so I don't know much about it, but I have found that it likes full sun here and doesn't mind the heat and humidity.

SoFl, I now grow mine in pots in good quality, well draining potting mix and keep them on and by my back verandah or under eaves where they get morning sun and I can control the amount of watering they get.....they hate wet feet. This way they are also protected from the wildly variable weather we get in Spring and summer; hot dry winds,often followed by rain and daytime temps between 18-40+C with associated humidity. They are drought tolerant, but I find without protection the winds burn the buds and new growth. They will also do well in dappled to full shade given the intensity of the summer sun. Our winters are mild and the peonies I have don't go completely dormant, so I just cut back the water a bit. I give them rose food in Autumn in the recommended amounts to encourage bud formation, then another light feed in Spring and water when the potting mix is dryish. The major requirement is patience as they can take 2-3 years to flower, depending on the size of the plant. Mine have all been bought as small bare root plants,(cheaper!) and none at this stage are more than 18" tall, so only 2 have flowered as yet. My absolute favourite is Etienne de France (5 yo, 3rd yr flowering) which this year gave me 3 huge, 6" fluffy, full blooms of silvery pinkish lavender that deepen to dark magenta at the centre. The other is Maxime Cornu, a beautiful double yellow, with apricot shading, also 5yo. Neither of these have gone completely dormant in our mild winters, so I think they would do OK for you. I also have Flambeau, Rose Flame and Marie Laurencin and another Etienne de France, all yet to start flowering, but hopefully next spring they should bloom.

I just thought of another rose that looks rather peony like, though my photo isn't the best--it's Memorial Day, a hybrid tea. Diane

Memorial Day

Here is a Sarah Bernhardt peony for comparison:

And finally, another photo of Brother Cadfael amongst the peonies.

Yves Piaget, already mentioned above, is the most peony-like of the roses I've grown. It really makes a statement in the garden, although the many-petaled blooms take a long time to mature and open.

Great thread and beautiful pictures everyone.

The images on this thread are just stunning!

When I think of peonies, large, gorgeous, petal packed flowers with tattered edges come to mind. I have coveted them for years. If this is the style you are looking for, there are two roses previously mentioned, standing out in my mind too. These roses appear different from all of the roses I grow, including the very cabbagey Austin's. Paul Neyron ( it stands out like a sore thumb due to the size of its blooms and the petal packed tattered looking edges) and to a lesser degree than Paul Neyron... But still different among the many rose blooms, Yves Piaget.

I decided to add to this thread because I grow some of the roses mentioned, but these two really stand out as appearing "different". I have finally stopped saying to myself "what the heck" when I see P.N.'s blooms and now it is " the blooms really do not look like that of a rose".

Lynn

Speaking of tattered edges, another good candidate is Souv. De Baden Baden, it has very tattered edges and is also Peony-like.

I always think Uetersener Klosterrose has some peony characteristics

As does Constanze Mozart