Ants on Peonies, WHY?

Aren’t peonies just some of the prettiest flowers? I adore the double petal blooms. I just wished they bloomed all summer instead of the little short week or so they do actually bloom. And whenever you see a peony, you are sure to find ants tagging along with it, and there is a reason. Ants on peonies are like peanut butter and jelly, they compliment each other.

Peonies actually produce a small amount of nectar on their unopen buds. This attracts the ants to the bud and the ants help the peony open up.

Ants, however, aren’t needed to open up the peony flower.

BUT, they do protect the flower from other harmful insects, making this a match made in heaven.

**If you are using peonies as cut flowers, simple dip the flower in a bowl of water and the ants should come right off.