My mom is a big peony grower and she told me the ants actually play a role in helping the buds open! Peony season is the best! Almost done here on the west coast.
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That is interesting. I bet your mom has a fantastic garden. This photo is about 10 days old. The peonies have bloomed and are still beautiful but starting to look a bit tired. I'm in Ontario, near Toronto.
jun 19, 2025, 4:50 pm • 2 0 • view
My mother had them in her garden. She said the ants liked to eat the wax on the buds and that helped them to open. Symbiosis.
jun 19, 2025, 9:13 pm • 3 0 • view
My wife picks them all the time, there's some sitting in front of me now. I think she says to cut them early as possible in the day before the ants get on them. Either way, they're easy to shake off and fewer ants once the bloom opens.
jun 20, 2025, 12:22 am • 1 0 • view