Garden Peony ‘Festiva Maxima’ Paeonia lactiflora

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.

The Shandong region of China has been cultivating ’Mudan’ (peonies) for over three thousand years!

Culinary note: The petals can be added to salads, or cooked slightly and sweetened for a treat. Peony water was also once considered a delicacy and the blooms can be floated in punches.