Question
I'm sorry you are not a fan of peonies.    I wouldn't call them my favorite,  but they aren't so bad in a mixed floral bed.

I have another question for you though.    I just bought a new house that has many many many peonies in pink and white colors,  tons of iris in a periwinkle color,  and garden phlox that have not bloomed yet for me to guess a color on them.     I know I need to divide, move,  and mess with these beds to make them healthier and more attractive.    I also think I need to add to them to make them MUCH more attractive!

Question is what do I add to make a loose,   random,  cottage garden type feel to my beds?    I do not like fussy plants!    I am in a zone 4 to 5 in southern Iowa.   I have full to part sun beds and have space to spread into some shadier areas under a heavily pruned oak tree.   The beds are all open to the West and a little South direct light.   (East and North are protected by buildings.)     I do like to be out messing around in the flowers and dirt,  so weeding and watering and that kind of care is not a big deal to me.    I LOVE highly scented plants.    I would like a full season of color in the blue, pink, purple shades with a few unexpected splashes of red and yellow.    

I hope that is enough to give you an idea what I am asking, but not too much information as another "expert" suggested.    Do you have plant suggestions for the cottage garden?
Mari

Answer
 Here I am again...and hope I can help you with plant suggestions!

Spring blooms
Columbine-there are so many solors to choose from
Small asters
Delphinium (blue)
Silver Mound (for texture)
Iris
Bellflower-White or purple
Anenomes-large variety

Summer Bloom
Roses (read up on their care--they aren't that much trouble)
 get hybrid and minis.
Phlox (tall)
Poppies-a large variety are available
Pincushion flowers
Clustered bellflowers
Gladiolas (these are annuals but with the winters we have
 been having, they seem to reappear.  But I always add more.
Coreopsis-many varieties
Hardy geranium (grows to a mound-purple)
Asters-some are quite tall-keep them cut to 8"-10" until
 July 4th-some get up to 6'
Anenomes-large variety
Sedum-some are about 2' tall and others are good ground
 cover.  There are many kinds and colors
Carnations
Oriental Lilies (Stargazer have a strong fragerance
CampanulaA website to go to for particular flowers according to season of bloom and color is:
Spring Holl Nursery
   http://springhillnursery.com/category.asp?c=5

Click on perennials

I hope this helps you.  Remember,you will plant them this year and may move them around for 2-3 years until you get it just right.  I'm still transplanting!!  But I'm close!

Once you have every thing planted, sprinkle "Preen" around all the plants.  This will help keep the weeds away.  I apply in the spring (when there are NO weeds present) and again mid June (again, no weeds should be present).  This has kept my flower gardens totally free from weeds!

Now, go get your hands dirty.
Sijka