Festiva Maxima is a celebrated heirloom peony dating back to the 1850s, known for its massive white blooms and striking red flecks. The fully double flowers are richly layered, opening in late spring with pure white petals accented by occasional crimson streaks near the center—giving each bloom a unique, festive appearance. The flowers are also highly fragrant, making them a favorite for cutting gardens and bouquets.
This vigorous, long-lived perennial grows 34 to 36 inches tall and forms a robust, upright clump with deep green foliage that holds up well throughout the season. The sturdy stems support the large blooms reasonably well, but staking may be helpful during heavy rains or in overly rich soil. Festiva Maxima performs best in full sun and well-drained soil, and it often thrives for decades in the same location.
Key Features:
-
Large, fully double white blooms with crimson flecks
-
Strong fragrance
-
Heirloom variety introduced in 1851
-
Excellent for cutting and classic borders
Peony ‘Festiva Maxima’ offers timeless beauty, fragrance, and garden reliability—an enduring favorite that continues to charm gardeners and florists alike.