Paeonia 'Festiva Maxima'

Paeonia 'Festiva Maxima': Timeless White with a Crimson Kiss

Elegant and celebratory, Paeonia 'Festiva Maxima' unfurls lavish, fully double white blooms flecked with crimson at the centre—like confetti tossed onto snow. These enormous, fragrant flowers are held on strong stems above glossy green foliage, bringing classic romance and dramatic presence to the spring garden. Blooming in late spring, it remains one of the most cherished white peonies of all time.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 85–95 cm
• Spread: 80–90 cm
• Flower Colour: Pure white with occasional crimson streaks in the centre; fully double
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer
• Foliage: Dark green, lush, and finely divided
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil with added organic matter

Uses and Benefits: Paeonia 'Festiva Maxima' is a show-stopping addition to borders, formal beds, and classic cutting gardens. Its crisp white petals light up any planting scheme, pairing beautifully with pastels or bold hues. The strong fragrance and sturdy stems make it a florist favourite, while its cold hardiness and longevity ensure it thrives in Canadian gardens for decades. Ideal for traditional landscapes and timeless designs, it offers structure, scent, and a sense of grandeur.

Companion Plants: Surround Paeonia 'Festiva Maxima' with Digitalis 'Dalmatian Cream', whose vertical spires of soft yellow-cream flowers echo the peony’s light tones and bring upright contrast. Introduce Geranium 'Biokovo' as a gently spreading groundcover with delicate pink-tinged blooms and fragrant foliage. Finish the combination with Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster', a well-loved ornamental grass whose upright habit and feathery plumes provide lasting texture and season-long elegance.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun or partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. Ensure buds are set just below the surface to promote flowering. Water deeply during dry spells, particularly in the first year. Deadhead faded blooms to maintain vigour, and cut foliage to the ground after frost. Peonies are long-lived and prefer not to be disturbed, thriving for decades in the same spot when properly cared for.

History: Paeonia 'Festiva Maxima' was introduced in 1851 by French breeder Auguste Miellez and remains one of the most celebrated and enduring peonies ever cultivated. Its large, fragrant blooms and signature crimson flecks have made it a favourite of gardeners and designers for generations.

Final Thoughts: Radiant and regal, Paeonia 'Festiva Maxima' offers more than beauty—it delivers a garden legacy of fragrance, form, and floral splendour that never goes out of style.