Paeonia emodi Festiva Maxima

Festival Maximum Peony

Name note: ‘Festiva Maxima’ is not normally listed as Paeonia emodi. The accepted garden cultivar name is Paeonia lactiflora ‘Festiva Maxima’. Paeonia emodi is a separate species called Himalayan peony, with simpler white flowers, while ‘Festiva Maxima’ is the old double white peony with red flecks.

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Festiva Maxima’ is a classic heirloom herbaceous peony with very large, fragrant, fully double white flowers marked with crimson-red flecks on some of the central petals. It has large, dark green foliage and a tall, floriferous habit. The flowers are rounded and full, with heavy, loosely arranged petals, making it one of the best-known old white peonies for gardens and cutting. It was introduced by Miellez in 1851.

Type: Herbaceous perennial peony
Mature Size: 30–36 in. wide × 30–36 in. tall
USDA Zones: 3a–8b
Form: Upright, bushy, clumping perennial; large double flowers may need support
Light: Full sun to part shade; best flowering in full sun
Soil / Water: Fertile, rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil; avoid soggy or poorly drained sites
Bloom Time / Length: Early peony season, late spring to early summer; 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, heirloom gardens, specimen planting, and mass planting. ‘Festiva Maxima’ is especially valued for its large fragrant white flowers, red petal flecks, strong garden presence, and long history as a dependable old peony. The American Peony Society describes it as very floriferous, fairly fragrant, and excellent for both garden decoration and cutting.

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

Plant type

Perennial

Height

30-36''

Width

30-36"

Hardiness zones

3–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Bloom time

Early Summer, Late Spring

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Border, Container, Mass Planting

Shape

Clump, Compact, Upright

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No