Peony Festiva maxima

Of all the flowers that can be seen in gardens and backyards, the unpretentious specimens have generally excelled. There are many examples of such plants, but peonies are rightfully considered the brightest. In addition to the wonderful colors of the petals, their inflorescences also give those around them a magical scent. We would like to bring to your attention information about the Festival Maxim variety, which stands out from the total mass of peonies with a light, delicate shade of fragrant flowers.

History of creation

This delightful plant was obtained by breeders in 1851 in the course of hard work. The authorship belongs to the French specialists Mieller - a well-known floriculture company with a long history. European culture belongs to herbaceous species, which are characterized by the dropping of shoots with the onset of cold weather. Also Festiva maxima is a member of the lacto-flowering group.

Description of the variety

Outwardly, the Maxim Festival is a real handsome man. A spreading bush with almost one meter tall stems covered with wide, dark green leaves. Peony shoots are quite strong, which ensures that the bush retains its shape even during abundant flowering. Thus, the culture does not require tying and support, at least in the first few years of its existence.

Each peduncle bears a large bud, consisting of concave double petals. The latter adhere to each other as tightly as scales. The flower reaches about 20 cm in diameter. The bulk of the inflorescence petals are boiling-white in color, but those that form the core are supplied with red strokes along the edges. This feature emphasizes the exceptional whiteness and purity of the shade, and also gives the flowers a natural look. However, the inflorescences of this culture can be sustained in slightly pinkish tones. The buds in the phase of complete dissolution are on the peony for 2-2.5 weeks. Amazing flowers exude a pleasant, strong enough aroma. The Maxim festival is distinguished by its lush flowering, which begins in the first half of summer. In one place, he is able to live up to 30 years.

Festiva maxima is intended for cultivation in temperate regions, although it can also be cultivated in the northern zones, as it can withstand air temperatures down to -40 ° C. It follows that an adult ornamental bush does not need shelter. And he is rarely affected by pests and diseases common among flowering horticultural crops.

Features of growing and care

For normal development and abundant flowering, the peony must receive a large amount of light throughout the entire period of its existence - first of all, during the growing season. However, in the midst of a hot summer day, it should be protected from direct sunlight by shading to avoid scalds for delicate petals and loss of foliage turgor. You should not place shrubs next to buildings, since water flowing down from roofs in spring or during rain can destroy the shoots that break through the soil. Draft is also a negative factor.

The soil for planting the Festival of Maxim must be selected taking into account the wishes of the culture itself. And she prefers loose nutrient soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. To reduce the level of acidity of the substrate, it is necessary to add a little wood ash or lime to the soil, but you should not get carried away with this too much. Peony grows well on loamy soils. Sandy and swampy soil categorically does not suit him.

Festiva maxima is planted in spring or autumn. A planting hole is dug in the soil to a depth of more than 70 cm, since the plant has a long root. A drainage layer is laid at the bottom of the pit, which is a mixture of expanded clay, gravel and river sand. Next, a glass of superphosphate is introduced into the hole, then it is covered with earth. The soil mixture can have the following composition: sand, peat, humus, garden soil in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 1. The seedling is deepened into the substrate so that the buds are 5 cm below the ground level.A distance of 1 meter is maintained between the bushes. Maxim festival should not be planted next to fruit crops. Keep in mind that the peony does not bloom in the year of planting.

An ornamental shrub needs regular watering with settled, cold water. The next moistening of the soil under the plant must be done as soon as the top layer of the soil dries up. Stagnation of moisture in the substrate should be avoided if you do not want to lose the snow-white beauty. Each time after watering, the soil under the flower must be loosened.

The plant needs feeding. True, in the first year of life, fertilizers are not applied under the bush. Starting from the second year, the Festival Maxim is fed with a complete mineral concentrate. It is especially important to carry out this procedure during bud formation and at the end of flowering. In the spring, it is advisable to feed the peony with organic fertilizer with a high nitrogen content to build up green mass.

In order for larger inflorescences to appear on Festiva maxima, it is recommended to leave only the central buds on the shoots, removing the rest. In addition, during the entire flowering period, it is imperative to cut off the faded inflorescences.

Ornamental culture under unfavorable weather conditions and non-observance of the tips for care can be attacked by harmful insects. It happens that the Festival Maxim is attacked by ants, which, in turn, create a fertile ground for the emergence of aphids. This is where conventional insecticides come to your aid. To avoid decay of the root system, stick to a moderate watering regime. The peony is prepared for winter by cutting off all the shoots and leaves. Covering a bush with fallen leaves is not worth it - this increases the risk of developing gray rot.

Use cases

The Festival Maxim variety is one of the most popular among flower growers today. It is placed in single and mixed plantings, in group compositions against the background of a lush green lawn. Planting specimens of this culture around the perimeter of the fence is currently considered fashionable.