Festiva Maxima
Grow the classic white peony that lasts a lifetime
About Festiva Maxima
Festiva Maxima is the white peony gardeners have loved for nearly two centuries. Its full double blooms arrive in late spring, filled with crimson streaks at the center and a heavy, sweet fragrance that fills the whole garden. One planting can outlast generations, returning faithfully each year as abundant and fragrant as the first.
This guide covers the essentials from the start: choosing the right planting spot with full sun, preparing your soil to the right depth, spacing plants correctly, establishing a reliable watering routine through the growing season, recognizing and preventing common peony problems, and finding healthy nursery plants. We keep each topic practical so your peonies thrive.
Buy Festiva Maxima
Nursery-grown plants shipped in their container, with our planting and care guides to go with them.
From $38.99
Sizes: 4 Quart
Shop Festiva MaximaQuick facts
- USDA zones
- 3-8
- Mature height
- 30-36 in (some sources cite up to 40 in in ideal conditions)
- Mature width
- 24-36 in
- Sun
- full sun; tolerates light/part shade but flowers less prolifically
- Water
- moderate; average, consistent moisture, especially during bud formation in spring
- Bloom time
- early to midseason (typically late April to late May, varies by zone/region)
- Bloom color
- double white with crimson-red flecks streaking the inner petals
- Growth rate
- moderate; a new division typically reaches full bloom size in 2-3 years, then spreads slow
- Deer resistance
- good/generally resistant
- Plant type
- herbaceous perennial
- One of the oldest and most famous white peony cultivars, introduced in France in 1851
- Known for its heavy, sweet fragrance
- White double blooms are flecked with crimson at the petal centers
- Long-lived perennial that can outlast a human generation in the same spot
- Hardy from USDA zones 3-8
- Ants on buds are normal and not a pest problem
Growing guides
Core guideThe Complete Festiva Maxima Peony Care Guide
Complete growing guide for Festiva Maxima peony. Learn planting, care, watering, pruning, and troubleshooting for this classic double white
Core guideHow to Plant Festiva Maxima Peonies for Best Results
Learn how to plant Festiva Maxima peonies correctly. Step-by-step guide covering timing, depth, spacing, and soil prep for abundant white bl
Plant specificFestiva Maxima Peony Bloom Time and Flower Color Guide
Learn when Festiva Maxima peonies bloom (late April to late May), their distinctive white flowers with crimson flecks, and zone-specific blo
Core guideBuying Guide: Festiva Maxima Peony Plants and Roots
Buy Festiva Maxima Peony plants and bare-root divisions: learn what to look for in quality plants, sizing, and where to find them.
Plant specificWhy Isn't My Festiva Maxima Peony Blooming This Year?
Why your Festiva Maxima peony isn't blooming: 5 common causes and how to fix them this season.
Plant specificFestiva Maxima vs Duchesse de Nemours Peony Compared
Festiva Maxima vs Duchesse de Nemours: compare bloom color, fragrance, size & care for these classic white peonies. Which is right for your
Core guideFestiva Maxima Peony Hardiness Zones: Where It Grows Best
Festiva Maxima peonies thrive in USDA zones 3-8. Learn where this hardy double white peony grows best, winter survival tips, and zone-specif
Core guideHow Big Do Festiva Maxima Peonies Get at Maturity?
Learn how big Festiva Maxima peonies get at maturity: 30-36 inches tall, 24-36 inches wide, plus growth timeline and spacing guide.
Core guideCommon Festiva Maxima Peony Problems and How to Fix Them
Learn how to fix festiva maxima peony problems, including botrytis blight, pests, and bloom failures. Expert growing tips and quick solution
Core guideFertilizing Festiva Maxima Peonies: What and When to Feed
Learn when and how to fertilize Festiva Maxima peonies for robust growth and abundant blooms. Practical feeding schedule and tips inside.
Core guidePruning and Cutting Back Festiva Maxima Peonies
Learn how to prune and cut back Festiva Maxima peonies correctly. Step-by-step guidance on deadheading, fall pruning, timing, and avoiding c
Core guideSun Requirements for Festiva Maxima Peonies Explained
Learn exactly how much sun Festiva Maxima peonies need to thrive and bloom prolifically. Full sun guidance, partial shade effects, and site
Festiva Maxima questions
Why isn't my Festiva Maxima blooming?
The most common cause is planting the root crown too deep; the 'eyes' (buds) should sit no more than 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Too much shade or recent transplanting can also delay bloom for a year or two.
Do I need to remove the ants from the buds?
No. Ants are attracted to sugary nectar on the unopened buds and do not damage the plant; they're a normal, harmless part of peony life.
When is the best time to divide or transplant it?
Early to mid fall, after the foliage has started to die back, is the ideal time to divide and transplant peony roots.
Are the flowers good for cutting?
Yes, Festiva Maxima is a classic heirloom cutting-garden peony prized for its fragrance and large double white blooms.