Latin Name: Paeonia 'Festiva Maxima'
Height: 30 - 36 inches
Spread: 24 - 36 inches
Sunlight: Full Sun; Part Sun; Part Shade
Bloom Time: May to June
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Description:
Huge, fully double, white blooms with drizzles of red throughout are backed by a lush mound of dark green, deer resistant foliage on this peony. These fragrant blooms have a looser form than other double peonies. Festiva Maxima is an excellent background plant for spring bulbs, or for use as a spring specimen in beds and borders. This variety of Garden Peony will die back to the ground after frost. An old-fashioned favorite, peony blooms are excellent for use as a cut flower. When bringing them into the house, be sure to cleanse the ants from the bloom, as ants benefit from the nectar secreted by peonies. Cut the blooms when the buds are close to opening, as it is easier to shake or wipe the ants off compared to after the bud starts to open. Peonies will continue to open even after they are cut.
Attracts: Bees; Butterflies
Other Names: Garden Peony; Double Peony