Paeonia, Garden Peony, Heirloom Peony 'Festiva Maxima'

This, along with "Sarah Bernhardt," is what I remember as a child, in all the gardens. Nothing else seemed available.

The...Read More Festiva Maxima is truly the ONLY peony to grow, if you can only have one. It is the epitome of old-fashioned-ness. White picket fences, wide metal blinds fluttering in open windows, and yes, Festiva Maxima. Need say no more.

I consider this antique cultivar the best of all peonies for fragrance. Perhaps that accounts for its continuing popularity.

...Read More> Peony cultivars vary a great deal in their fragrance---not just in strength of fragrance, but also in its quality. I find some are downright unpleasant. Not only is 'Festiva Maxima' the most fragrant, but (at least to my nose) it's the sweetest, with the best quality of fragrance, not heavy or musky.

Stems are long and the heavy flowers will sprawl on the ground without support. Peony hoops set in early in the season are the easiest way to support them.

As with all peonies, the eyes (underground growing tips) need light to form flower buds, and should not be covered by more than an inch of soil if you want flowers.

If you garden in the southeast and want to experiment with growing peonies, you may be better off with early season cultivars that are single or anemone-form (especially in Z8), which are less likely to sprawl. Peonies will fail where they can't get enough days of cold-dormancy.

Exquisitely fragrant! Very easy to grow, almost indestructible.

Hello! I grew up in the north where peonies were all around. I became a gardener in the south, in Louisiana. We dared not bother with t...Read Morehem in New Orleans, but we live in Natchitoches now, central/north Louisiana. Technically we are in zone 8. It can be moist and swampy, but nothing like New Orleans. Can anyone reccomend peonies that will do well, here in the south? I'm dying to try a couple. Thanks for any suggestions!

This plant was introduced in 1851 by August Miellez. My great-grandfather planted our 'Festiva Maxima' in 1928 and it still looks lovely....Read More It's never been moved or divided and is still the size of a bushel basket. Nice compact peony for smaller gardens. It grows about 30" tall and needs "caged" for support. It's one of the prettiest peonies you can grow.

Oops, my mistake. We have 'Le Cygne', not 'Festiva Maxima'. Guess I'll have to track one down...

If you can have only one - make it Festiva Maxima

One of the most essential plants in any peony garden. I have a large clump which I inherited from the previous owner of my house and eve...Read Morery year it is simply breathtaking. Each flower is different because of the crimson flecks, and has a gorgeous rose scent. Extremely hardy and care free. Highly recommended!

This is my favorite peony, beautiful, fragrant and blooms like mad. It is reasonably priced because it has been wildly popular for more ...Read Morethan 150 years and is easy to grow + easy to divide. You can't go wrong with this one!

My information says that this is hardy in zones 3-8. Do not plant or mulch too deep or it will not bloom.

Festiva Maxima is a lovely, creamy white flower with pinkish red markings radiating from the center of the plant in a whirling pattern....Read MoreThis is hands down the most fragrant plant I own. When it blooms, I can smell it from my house, which is about 30 feet away with a garage in between. It was given to me 8 years ago, planted in spring, and has never been any work at all. I stake it, and that's all I do. An absolutely fantastic plant!