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Paeonia 'Festiva Maxima'

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Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
 Common Name: Peony-Garden

Noticeably fragrant, white blooms with red drizzled throughout the center is the highlight of this reliable bloomer. The flowers have a massive, loose form. This popular double is one of the most widely available peonies in cultivation today. It blooms in late spring.

Peonies are classic garden plants that add a bit of nostalgia and charm to the garden. Their fragrant blooms and lush foliage have made them popular for years, and with the recent resurgence in breeding, they will continue to improve. Peonies are simple to grow and can be utilized in many ways, including mass plantings, specimens, or hedges. By choosing a mixture of early, midseason, and late blooming varieties, you can have blooms for up to 6 weeks.

Origin: Not Native to North America

Characteristics:



Height:
  34 Inches
Spread:
  24 Inches
Flower Color:
  White Shades
Foliage Color:
  Green shades
Hardiness Zone:
3,4,5,6,7,8
Find Your Zone
Sun or Shade?:
  Full sun (> 6 hrs. direct sun)
  Part shade (4-6 hrs. direct sun)
Wet or dry?:
  Low water needs
  Average water needs
Need critter resistant plants?:
  Deer resistant
How fast should it grow?:
  Medium
When should it bloom?:
  Late spring
How's your soil?:
  Fertile Soil
Sweet or Sour Soil?:
  Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
What's your garden style?:
  Cottage
  Formal
  Eclectic

Attributes:

Border plants
Cut flower or foliage
Dried flower or seed heads
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant flowers or foliage
Mass Planting
Easy to grow

Homeowner Growing & Maintenance Tips:

A permanent, sunny or partly shady site is ideal for Garden Peonies. Protection from afternoon sun and from harsh winds will help to prolong the lives of the the exotic flowers. Peonies will perform best in well-drained, evenly moist, rich soil with a pH near neutral and they are drought-tolerant once established.

When planting a Garden Peony, the depth is particularly important. To ensure flowering, the eyes must be planted 1.5 to 2 inches below ground level. An annual topping of compost is recommended each Fall. Though peonies may be slow to establish, you can be assured that they are developing a deep, substantial root system which will help to produce flowers that are well worth the wait. Once established, peonies can live 50 years or more.


Companions:

Common/Botanical Name
Zones  
Anemone sylvestris
Common Name: Anemone-Snowdrop
3,4,5,6,7,8
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Cerastium tomentosum 'Yo Yo'
Common Name: Snow in Summer
3,4,5,6,7
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Phlox subulata 'Atropurpurea'
Common Name: Phlox-Creeping
2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
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Geranium sanguineum 'New Hampshire Purple'
Common Name: Geranium-Hardy
4,5,6,7,8
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Iris sibirica 'Butter and Sugar'
Common Name: Iris-Siberian
3,4,5,6,7,8,9
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While every effort has been made to describe this plant accurately, please keep in mind that the height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates throughout the country. The description of this plant was written based on our experience growing it in Michigan (USDA hardiness zone 5) and on numerous outside resources.