Paeonia 'Festiva Maxima'

White Festiva Garden Peony

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Festiva Maxima’ is a classic heirloom herbaceous peony with very large, fragrant, double white flowers marked with small crimson-red flecks on the central petals. It has a tall, vigorous, floriferous habit with large, dark green foliage that remains attractive after bloom. This old garden favorite was introduced by Miellez in 1851 and is still widely grown for its fragrance, reliability, and excellent garden display.

Type: Herbaceous perennial peony
Mature Size: 30–36 in. wide × 30–36 in. tall
USDA Zones: 3a–8b
Form: Upright, bushy, clumping perennial; may need support when in full bloom
Light: Full sun to part shade; best flowering in full sun
Soil / Water: Fertile, rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil; avoid wet, poorly drained sites
Bloom Time / Length: Late spring to early summer; early-season peony, usually about 7–10 days
Wildlife: Fragrant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects; generally deer and rabbit resistant

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for perennial borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, specimen planting, mass planting, and heirloom gardens. ‘Festiva Maxima’ is especially valued for its large white flowers, red petal flecks, sweet fragrance, and long history as one of the most popular white peonies. The American Peony Society notes it is useful for both garden decoration and cutting.

Care:
Plant peony eyes about 1–2 inches below the soil surface; planting too deeply can reduce bloom. Provide good air circulation and water at the base when possible. Use a peony ring or support cage early in spring, since the large double flowers can become heavy after rain. Remove spent blooms after flowering, leave foliage through summer, then cut stems to the ground after frost in fall and remove old foliage from the garden.

Plant type

Perennial

Height

36''

Width

30-36"

Hardiness zones

3–8

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Slow

Bloom time

Early Summer, Late Spring

Flower color

Red, White

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Bronze, Dark Green, Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Mass Planting

Shape

Clumping, Compact

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No