Peonies and poppies are both flowers with large, brightly colored petals that grow in a variety of colors. They look similar, but are completely distinct plants. Peonies are a perennial belonging to the Paeoniaceae family, while poppies are members of the Papaveraceae family and may be annual or perennial. Peonies are known for their deep fragrance, while poppies do not have a distinctive scent.Peonies are showy and romantic as cut flowers, while poppies tend to drop their petals soon after cutting. Poppies grow from seed, while peonies are usually propagated by root division.
~ Beginner Gardening by Lisa Jensen