Festiva Maxima
Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima'
Double White Festiva Maxima Peony, Ready to Plant
This size is not in the online store yet. Ask about availability and we will reply with current stock.
- Double white blooms with crimson-red flecks and strong fragrance
- Excellent cutting flower with large, full blooms
- Deer-resistant, long-lived perennial that improves with age
About this plant
Festiva Maxima is a classic herbaceous peony prized for its large, fragrant double white blooms streaked with crimson-red flecks on the inner petals. It excels in cutting gardens, perennial borders, and cottage gardens, with a storied history in cemetery and heirloom plantings. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8. Keep pets from chewing the plant, since peony is listed by the ASPCA as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, usually causing stomach upset, and the RHS notes it can irritate pets' skin.
Your Festiva Maxima arrives in a nursery container, fully rooted and ready to plant. Choose a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Water regularly to establish consistent moisture around the roots during the growing season, particularly during spring bud formation. Mulch lightly to retain soil moisture and moderate temperature.
Heirloom Beds for Festiva Maxima
Long used in heirloom and cemetery plantings, it suits traditional beds best.
Fragrant cuts
White doubles flecked with crimson are fragrant, so cut some for the house in May.
Iris border
Bearded and Siberian iris sit beside it with 3 to 4 feet between peonies.
Cottage corner
Roses and alliums finish a cottage planting around a clump 30 to 36 inches tall.
Foundation edge
Along a house wall, leave 3 to 4 feet between plants in full sun.
Not ideal for: Its deep, extensive roots make pots a short-term fix, and soggy soil is a poor choice.
Good to know: ASPCA lists it as toxic to pets and RHS notes skin irritation, so keep animals away.
Festiva Maxima at a glance
| Botanical name | Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima' |
|---|---|
| Plant type | herbaceous perennial |
| 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 slowly outward year over year |
| Deer resistance | good/generally resistant |
| Best planting time | fall is best for bare-root divisions (allows root establishment before winter); container-grown plants can go in spring |
Container sizes explained
| Quart / QT | A 4 inch pot, roughly one quart of soil. A young starter plant, the most economical way to buy several. |
|---|
Questions before you buy
Why choose the 4 Quart size?
The 4 Quart container provides an established root system ready to settle into its permanent location. This size balances plant maturity with practicality, typically reaching full flowering potential within 2-3 years.
When is the best time to plant my Festiva Maxima?
Container-grown plants like yours can go in the ground in spring, when soil is moist and temperatures are moderate. Fall is the best time for bare-root divisions. Avoid planting during extreme heat or cold snaps. Peonies establish best with consistent soil moisture during the growing season.
How large will my Festiva Maxima grow?
Mature plants reach 30-36 inches tall and 24-36 inches wide. Allow 3-4 feet between plants for air circulation. New plantings typically reach full bloom size in 2-3 years, then spread slowly outward.
How much sun does Festiva Maxima need?
Plant in full sun for the most abundant blooms. While it tolerates light or part shade, flowering will be less prolific in shadier spots. Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.
Where can I grow Festiva Maxima?
Festiva Maxima is hardy in USDA zones 3-8. Verify your zone at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
What's the best way to care for my peony in its first year?
Water consistently to maintain even soil moisture, especially during dry spells and spring when buds form. Avoid waterlogging. Support flower stems if they become heavy. Peonies prefer rich soil at planting. In early spring as shoots emerge, give a light feeding of a balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer and avoid heavy nitrogen. Remove spent flowers to direct energy back to root development.
Growing guides for Festiva Maxima
Buying Guide: Festiva Maxima Peony Plants and Roots
Shows what a quality division looks like and where to find one
Is Festiva Maxima Peony a Bulb or a Root?
Sold as a bare-root division, it is planted 1 to 2 inches deep
How to Plant Festiva Maxima Peonies for Best Results
Abundant white blooms start with correct depth, timing, and soil prep
The Complete Festiva Maxima Peony Care Guide
Troubleshooting and routine care for this classic double white flower
How Big Do Festiva Maxima Peonies Get at Maturity?
Grows 30 to 36 inches tall and 24 to 36 wide, with spacing guidance
Festiva Maxima Peony Hardiness Zones: Where It Grows Best
Hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8, with winter survival tips
Landscape Ideas for Festiva Maxima Peonies in the Garden
Perennial borders and cottage gardens with companions suited to zones 3 to 8
Sun Requirements for Festiva Maxima Peonies Explained
Full sun fuels prolific bloom, while partial shade changes the show