Overview

Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima' is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the genus Paeonia, part of the Paeoniaceae family, with deciduous; deeply divided, frequently bronze-flushed when young foliage. It typically grows around 0.8 m tall. Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima' grows best in full sun to partial shade, and tolerates deep and fertile loam or clay soils and neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6–H7. Suggested uses include borders, cut flowers and garden specimen. It is native to China.

About

Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima' is a clump-forming, upright herbaceous perennial prized for its fragrant spring blooms. It flowers in May to June and reaches about 0.8 m high. Leaves are deeply divided and often bronze-flushed when young before turning green. Best grown in full sun to partial shade on deep, fertile loam or clay that remains moist but well drained.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Paeonia lactiflora

About the genus

The peony or paeony is any flowering plant in the genus Paeonia, the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae. Peonies are native to Asia, Europe, and Western North America. Scientists differ on the number of species that can be distinguished, ranging from 25 to 40, although the current consensus describes 33 known species.

Wikipedia contributors, "Peony", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Peony

In the garden

Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima' originates from China and sits within the Paeoniaceae family as a classic herbaceous perennial. It forms upright clumps to roughly 0.8 m and produces fragrant blooms in the May to June period. Foliar growth is deciduous and deeply divided, frequently showing a bronze flush on young shoots. Plant in a site with full sun to partial shade on deep, fertile loam or clay; a neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH suits it best. Keep soil moist but well drained and choose a sheltered spot to protect flower stems from strong winds — exposure should be sheltered and avoid deep shade. Avoid planting where early morning sun will strike frosted buds, as that timing can damage emerging flowers. Hardiness is H6–H7, meaning very hardy to fully hardy in UK terms (also rated USDA 3–8), so it tolerates most winters but benefits from a protected root run in colder districts. Use Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima' as a focal specimen, in mixed borders or for cutting; stems produce fragrant blooms sought for arrangements. Note that peonies can be a skin irritant for pets — for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Paeonia

Sunlight

Full sun to partial shade

Soil type

Deep, fertile loam or clay

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline

Soil moisture

Moist but well drained

Aspect

Any but deep shade; avoid early morning sun on frosted buds

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6–H7

Plant details

Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Perennial

Habit

Clump-forming, upright

Foliage

Deciduous; deeply divided, frequently bronze-flushed when young

Height

0.8 m

Suggested uses

Borders, cut flowers, garden specimen

Native to

China

Fragrance

Flower

Toxicity

Pets (dogs, cats): Skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Paeonia lactiflora 'Festiva Maxima'

Cultivation

Plant herbaceous peonies with the crown no more than 3cm below the surface — deep planting is the commonest reason a clump never flowers. Enrich the ground thoroughly before planting, then leave undisturbed, and support the heaviest doubles before the buds open.

Pruning

Cut herbaceous stems to ground level once the foliage has died back in autumn and clear the debris away, which reduces the risk of peony wilt. Tree peonies need only dead or crossing wood removed after flowering.

Propagation

Divide herbaceous crowns in late autumn into sections carrying at least three dormant buds with roots attached, and only once flowering begins to decline. Tree peonies are grafted or layered; seed is slow and variable.

Pest resistance

Rarely troubled by pests. Ants on swelling buds are drawn to the nectar and do no harm.

Disease resistance

Susceptible to peony wilt in damp seasons; open spacing and prompt removal of affected growth are the best defence.

Frequently asked questions

More in the Paeonia genus

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  Paeonia 'Chalice'Peony
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  Paeonia 'Early Bird'Peony
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  Paeonia 'Good Cheer'Peony
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  Paeonia 'Moonrise'peony 'Moonrise'
• 
  Paeonia 'White Innocence'peony 'White Innocence'
• 
  Paeonia (Gansu Group) 'Highdown' (S)