What would a peony be without an ant or two?
Don’t worry if the ants go marching one by one onto your peony buds
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Peonies do not cause ants to infest your garden and home. There is nectar on the buds that attracts them from your garden and you notice them because you are admiring your beautiful peony plant. Once the flowers bloom, they are less interested and will go away. 
Some say they are the pollinators of the plant. They are not. Others say they aid the blossom in opening, yet some bloom without ants, so they must not be a necessity in the blooming process. 
In any case, the ants aren’t harmful. Just shake them off the flowers when you cut them to bring inside. I lightly spray the flowers while holding them upside down in my sink. That often gets rid of the ants that are hiding.
May 17th, 2010 at: 12:10 am
I LOVE peonies – before we cut them, we shake them as best we can but always end up bringing a couple of ants indoors.
May 17th, 2010 at: 12:28 am
It’s amazing how many ants one can find on the buds.
Great shots!
May 17th, 2010 at: 1:34 am
Great shots! I had no idea that ants were attracted to peonies – I’ve learned something new today.
May 17th, 2010 at: 4:39 am
Beautiful peonies and fantastic pictures!
May 17th, 2010 at: 6:29 am
Yep, indeed…the peonies need the ants to pollinate.
Mine’s “Amaryllis by Morning”. Do stop by to view if you get a chance.
May 17th, 2010 at: 8:16 am
someone else has a similar macro today! i said the same thing, if i were an ant i would so live on a peony.
May 17th, 2010 at: 10:06 am
Peonies are so beautiful and I am waiting for mine to bloom. I think peonies are so sweet ants do love to hang in the blossom. Happy Monday!
May 17th, 2010 at: 11:00 am
me too, Kala. What’s an ant or two in the scheme of things?
May 17th, 2010 at: 12:11 pm
Mom was just saying something the other day about the ants on her peonies, I’ll have to let her know what you’ve pointed out here! Thanks & great shots of yours, they’re beauties!
May 17th, 2010 at: 1:26 pm
How funny – this is the second ‘ant and peony’ post I’ve read today! They must really like peonies! Some great pictures, here, too – I especially like the last one. Very unusual colours!
May 17th, 2010 at: 2:12 pm
I’ve always been on the thought that they are necessary to open the blooms. Who knew some would open without the ants. Mine never did, lol. Great captures!
May 17th, 2010 at: 7:59 pm
Ooops! Sorry I’m so late, Friday it was nice out & so was the weekend for a change & with so much to do …… Anywho,
I love your Amethyst Dream Bacholer Button, That’s my new can’t resist plant this Spring, had to get one! And by the looks of your beds you look like you have enough to keep you busy planting for awhile!:) Hope fully the weather settles down, I know it’s going to start raining soon, but hope fully the temps. don’t drop anymore! sigh …….
You look like your going to have some really Lovely Peonies soon, just from my humble observation … if the ants don’t work my Peonies they don’t open sooo……??? Well as long as they open that’s all that matters! Anyway ,You have a great week!
May 17th, 2010 at: 10:09 pm
whoa, the colors in that last photo are amazing! Yeah, I try not to let the ants bother me. it’s pretty amazing that they march right up to the peonies bypassing much else. I’m glad (by chance) that I planted my peony several feet away from my house. I guess that’s a big tip for when people are placing their peonies!
May 20th, 2010 at: 10:07 pm
Oh, what are the names of your peonies? They look to be amazing when they open!
May 22nd, 2010 at: 11:21 pm
THey are so pretty when they open but I do not know the name of these. They were from my mother in law’s garden, then to my old house and then to here. Your guess is as good as mine. They are a very pretty pink.
July 10th, 2010 at: 7:17 pm
Love those ants on the peonies! They sure make an interesting picture. It’s one of my favorite subjects in relation to peonies. I love peonies, too and couldn’t have enough of them. Just did my yearly peony catalogs browsing (wholesale style – I have a peony farm) and couldn’t help visualizing where some of those new varieties will be planted in my private garden. Again, great job on the photo subject choice!
May 7th, 2011 at: 11:25 pm
I find that the ants disappear within an hour of cutting the peony flowers. For more information on beautiful peonies please visit peonies wedding Great photo fo the peony bud with an ant on it.