Festiva Maxima Peony
Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima'
Pure white double blooms flecked with crimson at the center. Beloved since 1851 and still unmatched.
Toxic to cats
The ASPCA lists peony (Paeonia officinalis) as toxic to cats and dogs, and to horses. Eating it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and listlessness. The ASPCA names that one species, but ours are the same genus, so give them the same caution, and keep a vase of cut stems out of a cat's reach.
Bloom Season
May - Jun
JFMAMJJASOND
Sun Requirements
○ Full Sun6+ hours direct
◐ Part Sun4-6 hours
Water Needs
Moderate
Regular watering
Size & Zones
3-3' tall
USDA Zones 3-8
Bloom Colors
White
Red
Traits
△ Deer Resistant❋ Fragrant✂ Cut Flower
Soil
ClayLoam
Where to buy
Recommended plants for Festiva Maxima Peony on Amazon.
Shop on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, What's Bloomin' earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.
Other Peony Varieties
Sarah Bernhardt
Fully double, apple-blossom pink blooms so heavy they nod on their stems.
Bowl of Beauty
Hot pink outer petals cup a creamy center of narrow petaloids.
Coral Charm
Semi-double blooms open vivid coral-peach, age through apricot, and fade to soft butter cream.
Karl Rosenfield
Deep ruby-red double blooms with ruffled petals on strong stems.
Bartzella
Intersectional Itoh hybrid with huge lemon-yellow double blooms and red flares at the center.
Krinkled White
Single bowl-shaped flowers with crinkled white petals around a brilliant yellow boss of stamens.
Duchesse de Nemours
Pure white double blooms with a hint of yellow at the heart and a powerful lily-of-the-valley fragrance.
Coral Sunset
Deeper, longer-lasting coral than Coral Charm with semi-double form.
Pink Hawaiian Coral
Vivid coral-pink semi-double blooms that fade to peach-cream.
Buckeye Belle
Deep maroon-black semi-double blooms with a heart of golden stamens.
Lemon Chiffon
Intersectional Itoh hybrid with pale lemon-yellow semi-double blooms.
Pairs Well With
You Might Also Like
Explore More
The Garden Newsletter
What's growing, what's blooming, what's worth planting.
For gardeners who like to stay ahead.