Festiva Maxima Peony

Festiva Maxima Peony (Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima')

Festiva Maxima Peony is a timeless garden classic that brings a bright, elegant bloom season to sunny borders in late spring. It is a long-lived perennial that settles in and improves each year, building a fuller clump and producing more flowers over time. The crisp white blooms light up mixed plantings and pair easily with any color palette, from soft pastels to bold contrasts. If you want a reliable peony with a refined look and strong cut flower appeal, this one is a beautiful choice.

Distinctive Features

This herbaceous peony forms a sturdy mound of deep green, finely cut foliage and produces large, full double blooms in late spring to early summer. Festiva Maxima is known for fragrant white flowers that often show small red flecks near the center, adding a subtle detail that makes each bloom feel special. The blooms are lush and showy, opening from rounded buds into broad, layered flowers with a soft, ruffled texture. After flowering, the foliage remains attractive through summer, keeping borders looking full and finished.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part sun, with at least 6 hours of sun for best flowering.
• Soil: Rich, well-drained soil is ideal, with compost added to improve structure and drainage.
• Water: Water regularly during establishment, then provide consistent moisture during dry stretches, avoiding soggy soil.
• USDA Zones: 3 to 8.
• Planting Depth: Set eyes just below the soil surface to support reliable blooming.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant where the fragrant white blooms can be appreciated up close in late spring.
• White and Green Borders: Use to build a calm palette with white flowers, silvery foliage, and fresh greens.
• Cut Flowers: Grow in a cutting garden for large blooms that create a polished indoor arrangement.
• Foundation Planting: Place in front of evergreens or shrubs to create a layered look with a bright spring highlight.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water deeply during dry spells, especially in spring as buds form and after flowering as roots store energy.
• Staking: Support heavy blooms with rings or stakes if stems lean after rain.
• Feeding: Top-dress with compost in spring and avoid heavy nitrogen that can reduce flowering.
• Fall Cleanup: Cut stems back to the ground after frost and remove debris to keep the planting clean.

Why Choose Festiva Maxima Peony?

• Classic White Blooms: Lush double flowers bring a refined, timeless look to spring borders.
• Fragrant Flowers: Scented blooms add an extra layer of enjoyment near patios and walkways.
• Signature Red Flecks: Subtle red markings near the center add character and detail to each bloom.
• Great for Arrangements: Large blooms hold well in vases and bring the garden indoors.

Festiva Maxima Peony is a rewarding choice for gardeners who want classic beauty with long-term reliability. Give it sun, well-drained soil, and a permanent home where it can mature without disturbance. As the clump strengthens each year, it will deliver a bigger bloom season and a lush, finished presence that keeps borders looking composed.