Festiva Maxima Double Peony

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2 Feet

Mature Spread

2 Feet

Growing Zones

2 to 8

Have a peony party each May to celebrate the transition from spring to summer with Festiva Maxima Double Peony (Paeonia Festiva Maxima). Large double blooms open in May to delight and add refined flower-power to nearly any garden type. The white flowers have reddish-pinkish spotting on the edges of the petals, so this peony really makes a statement. In fact, the blooms are so pretty that you will want to (and can!) cut some flowers to bring indoors or share with friends. The mature plant reaches nearly 2 feet high and spreads 2 feet wide.

Those delicate flowers would make you think this is a delicate plant. But it is very cold hardy, surviving winters down to zone 2. It also can take some heat up to zone 8, though you might want to give it some afternoon sun in hotter regions. The best place to put this festive peony is near a patio, window, or other living area. The white flowers, which can stay open for up to a week, will show at night and their fragrance will be easier to enjoy if close by. 

Festiva Maxima Double Peony Care

Choose a spot with full or partial sun exposure, ensuring your peonies will get at least 4 hours of sunlight a day. Make sure to place them in soil that drains well. They can grow in nearly any soil type, but prefer those that are neutral to slightly alkaline in pH. Add some organic compost at planting time if you like to give them a small dose of nutrients. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. These are low-maintenance plants considering the reward.

As the flower stems grow, you might want to add some plant supports; those big double flowers are heavy. Or cut those long stalks to bring in. Deadhead flowers after they fade. Don’t be alarmed if your peonies fail to flower in their first season; they might just be gathering energy for their second year after planting. Peonies typically need little fertilizing, but giving them some food once a year can help them thrive. After the first fall frost, cut the leaves down to ground level and clean up the foliage.

Festiva Maxima Double Peony Spacing

Create a beautiful border with several Festiva Maxima Double Peonies. Space them about 2 feet apart to make room for their spread and flowers.