Festive Maxima Peony - Garden Peony

Festive Maxima Peony

Fragrant, fully double white blooms with delicate crimson flecks bring classic beauty to borders and cutting gardens.

Plant Highlights

• Botanical Name: Paeonia lactiflora 'Festive Maxima'
• Type: Deciduous herbaceous perennial
• Growing Zones: 3–8
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Flowers: Large, fully double white blooms with crimson flecks at the centers
• Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer
• Fragrance: Sweet and strong
• Foliage: Green
• Mature Size: About 34 inches tall and 2–3 feet wide
• Growth: Clumping habit; moderate to fast growth
• Soil: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
• Pet Safe: No

Why You'll Love It

• Fragrant white flowers add an elegant focal point to the spring garden.
• Compact growth suits borders, foundation plantings, and cutting gardens.
• Green foliage provides interest after flowering.
• Cold-hardy, deer-resistant, and drought-tolerant once established.

What You Get

• Dormant bare-root option: A #1 grade bare-root plant. Preorders ship from January through the end of April.
• 1-gallon option: A plant in a 1-gallon container.
• 2-gallon option: A plant in a 2-gallon container.

Care Tips

• Plant the crown 1–2 inches below the soil surface in rich, well-drained soil.
• Water thoroughly after planting and consistently during dry periods without allowing the soil to become waterlogged.
• Apply a light layer of mulch, keeping it away from the crown and stems.
• Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
• Remove spent flowers for a tidy appearance and cut foliage back in late fall.
• Flowering depends on plant maturity and growing conditions; first-year blooms are not guaranteed.

Shipping

• For available plants, processing usually takes 1–3 days. Orders received after 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday are scheduled to ship the following Monday.
• Dormant bare-root preorders follow the January–April shipping window noted above.
• Weather holds may apply during temperatures above 95°F or below 34°F until conditions are suitable for shipping and planting.
• Plant size and appearance vary by season. Plants may arrive dormant or without flowers, and blooms may be trimmed before shipping to protect the plant in transit.

Bare-Root Planting Questions

How can I check a dormant plant?
Look for firm, plump buds on the crown and firm roots rather than soft or mushy tissue.

What if I cannot plant immediately?
Keep bare roots cool, around 35–45°F, and slightly moist. Plant as soon as conditions allow and check regularly while storing.