Beat up Peonies

[elleng]

[SWBTATTReg]

1. Their blooms don't last very long, that is why, when I think of it fast enough, is to go outside in front, and clip

some flowers to bring in. They smell so good!

[elleng]

2. They DO smell so good!

I didn't bring any in; did so years ago, when I had a party/brunch on back porch, and of course they lit up the place!

[SWBTATTReg]

3. Neat, and the ants love them too!

[elleng]

4. Yes. I read (and posted) about peonies and ants recently.

Peonies and ants have a mutually beneficial relationship, known as biological mutualism, where the ants benefit from the peony's nectar and the ants protect the flower from other insects. The ants eat the nectar from the peony's buds when they open, and they also help protect the flower from other insects that feed on it. The ants will bite, sting, or toss off other insects that attack the flower. For example, if an aphid tries to invade the peony, the ant will outcompete it. The ants also secrete pheromones that create a trail for other ants to follow to the flower. As each ant finds nectar, it emits an odor that keeps other bugs away.

[SWBTATTReg]

5. Yeah, every time I cut a bunch of them, I got to watch for the ants when I bring the flowers in, put in water.

Little hitchhikers!

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

7. So important to share this! An acquaintance

once talked about spraying insecticide to get rid of the ants on her peonies. I shared that early in my gardening days I'd been alarmed to see all the peony ants but had left them alone and later learned about their mutual relationship. She said she wished she'd known before spraying to kill the ants!

We don't have enough sun to get loads of peony buds, but we cherish every one we get!

[AloeVera]

6. Such showy but delicate beauties.

Adore peonies. Last year we had heavy rains just after they opened so we were cheated out of their full glory. Mine won't be opening until early June. Can't wait!