Paeonia Festiva Maxima – A Classic, Fragrant Peony with Luxurious White Blooms and Crimson Flecks
Paeonia Festiva Maxima is a timeless herbaceous peony celebrated for its large, fully double, pure white flowers adorned with subtle crimson streaks at the centre. Introduced in the 19th century and still beloved today, this variety offers a delightful combination of beauty, fragrance, and reliability. With its lush blooms and elegant, mid-green foliage, it is a standout perennial for borders, cutting gardens, and traditional cottage schemes.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
Spring to Early Summer:
Emerging in mid-spring, the foliage starts as a fresh green, followed by buds that swell into opulent, snow-white blooms in late May to early June. Each flower can reach up to 20 cm wide, with ruffled petals and crimson flecks at the base—a subtle but striking detail. The blooms are highly fragrant, making them a favourite for cut flower arrangements.
Summer:
Once flowering is complete (usually by late June), the elegant, divided foliage continues to add structure and texture to garden borders well into summer.
Autumn:
Foliage may take on golden or bronze tints before dying back naturally. Cut stems back to ground level in late autumn.
Winter:
Like most herbaceous peonies, Festiva Maxima dies back completely in winter and re-emerges in spring. A layer of mulch in late autumn protects roots in colder regions.
Structure & Form
Paeonia Festiva Maxima forms a dense, bushy clump of upright stems, typically growing 90–100 cm tall and spreading to 80–90 cm wide. The finely divided foliage is mid- to dark green, providing a lovely backdrop for its dramatic blooms. Its sturdy growth habit means little to no staking is needed, though in very wet weather, support may help keep the heavy flowers upright.
Perfect for Various Landscapes
🌸 Cottage Gardens:
A classic addition to cottage planting schemes, where it pairs beautifully with foxgloves, delphiniums, and roses.
🌸 Cut Flower Gardens:
One of the most beloved cut peonies—long-stemmed, fragrant, and striking in a vase.
🌸 Mixed Borders:
Plant among early summer bloomers and structural perennials for an extended display.
🌸 Formal Beds & Parterres:
Works beautifully in traditional, symmetrical layouts, offering texture and timeless elegance.
Growing Conditions & Care
Position:
Thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade, especially in hotter southern areas of the UK. Needs an open, well-ventilated spot to prevent fungal problems.
Soil:
Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Neutral to slightly alkaline soils are ideal. Avoid planting in waterlogged or overly sandy soils.
Planting Depth:
Important: Plant with the crown just 2.5–5 cm (1–2 inches) below the soil surface. Planting too deep can result in poor flowering.
Watering:
Water regularly during dry spells in the first year. Once established, peonies are drought-tolerant, but flowering improves with consistent moisture.
Maintenance:
-
Low-maintenance once established.
-
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage tidy growth.
-
Cut back stems to ground level in late autumn and dispose of debris to prevent disease.
-
Feed in early spring with a balanced fertiliser or mulch with well-rotted compost.
Winter Care:
Fully hardy across the UK (RHS H7). A mulch of garden compost in late autumn protects roots and improves soil condition.
✅ Why Choose Paeonia Festiva Maxima?
-
Timeless beauty with fully double, white blooms flecked with crimson
-
Exceptionally fragrant, making it perfect for both gardens and cut arrangements
-
Long-lived and dependable—can thrive in the same spot for decades
-
Hardy and low-maintenance, ideal for UK climates
-
Excellent cut flower with long vase life
Perfect Plant Combinations
-
🌿 Traditional Perennials: Pair with Iris germanica, Lupins, Geraniums, or Alchemilla mollis.
-
🌸 Roses & Shrubs: Combine with David Austin English Roses, Philadelphus, or Hydrangeas for layered borders.
-
🍃 Foliage Companions: Use with Hostas, Brunnera, or Heuchera for colour and texture contrast.
-
🌼 Spring Bulbs: Underplant with tulips, narcissi, or alliums for seasonal succession.
Conclusion
Paeonia Festiva Maxima is a true garden classic—romantic, robust, and rewarding. Its show-stopping, sweetly scented blooms bring luxury and charm to any garden setting, while its ease of care makes it suitable for novice and experienced gardeners alike. Whether you're filling a sunny border, creating a nostalgic cottage garden, or growing for cut flowers, Festiva Maxima offers decades of reliable beauty.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
