Melinda Warmund
Published: May 29, 2018
The “king of all flowers,” peonies, are currently giving Missouri a breathtaking display of blossom color. However, ants also appear as the peony plants begin to bloom. Ants on buds and blossoms can be a pain, but they don’t hurt anything (Figure 1). Ants leave peony flowers after bloom is through and go on to seek out another food source.
It is untrue that ants are necessary for peonies to bloom. Peonies and ants have a mutualistic relationship in which both of their activities are beneficial to the other species of organisms. Ants eat the nectar from peony blooms, and in return, the ants defend the flowers from other insects that consume flowers.
It is possible to find extrafloral nectaries outside of peony flower buds. These plant organs exude nectar, which serves as an ant food supply since it contains sugars (sucrose, glucose, and fructose), amino acids, lipids, and other organic substances. A scout ant leaves a pheromone or odor trail on her journey back to her colony after finding nectar on a peony. The scout informs other ants at the nest of the food supply. The recruited ants then return to the nectar-filled peony blossoms by following the olfactory trail.
The ants guard their food supply from other insects that come to dine on the flower buds while they are consuming the nectar. The odor trail is reinforced when each ant consumes peony nectar, continuing until all of the food has been consumed. This kind of insect behavior is an effective way for them to make use of a transient food source.
An insecticide need not be used because the presence of ants on the floral tissues of peonies is only transient. Holding the peonies upside down by the stem immediately below the flower, shake the ants off outside or gently rinse them off before arranging them when cutting peonies at full bloom for indoor use. Cut plant stems while flower buds are in the “marshmallow stage” to assure ant eradication, and wash any ants off with water before bringing them inside (Figure 2). Flower buds are currently closed but displaying some color. Squeezing flower buds between the forefinger and thumb will also feel velvety. When marshmallow-stage buds are taken indoors, full bloom usually happens within 8 to 48 hours of putting the stems in water. Cut stems containing flower buds can also be refrigerated for subsequent bloom production.
Thrips, a common insect that feeds on peony blooms, are not like ants. These tiny (1 to 2 mm long), thin insects use their mouthparts to penetrate flower petals and draw liquids from the plant tissues, resulting in flowers that are discolored or have blemishes. Heavy infestations that obliterate peony flowers are quite uncommon. See the most recent IPM article, “Plant Peonies in September,” for more details on cultivating peonies.
Can peonies bloom without ants?
Do ants actually aid in the blooming of peonies? Ants “tickle the buds to assist the flowers open,” according to myth about gardens. There is a beneficial relationship between peonies and ants, but it’s not what you may imagine. The tale of peony and ants is presented here, along with advice on how to bring peonies indoors without attracting ants.
We celebrate the breathtakingly gorgeous peony blossoms in the late spring. But those of us who have peonies in our gardens might also note the ants’ appearance, particularly in or near the base of the flower or on unopened buds.
Are Ants Harmful to Peonies?
Let’s answer this initial query first. No. Without a doubt. Avoid sweeping those ants under the rug or, even worse, using insecticide!
Ants are not only NOT dangerous, but they are also a prime illustration of biological mutualism. The ants guard the peony from aphids, thrips, and other harmful insect pests while the peonies supply nectar (food) for the ants.
Do Peonies Need Ants to Bloom?
The persistent misconception is that ants are necessary for peonies’ buds to open. You may have heard that for peonies to blossom, ants must “tickle the buds” or “lick the sugar.”
As with most mythology, this claim may have once had a glimmer of reality, but we haven’t yet seen proof of it. (We also appreciate that this legend keeps ants and peonies alive while letting nature run its course.)
Why Ants Are Attracted to Peonies
Simply put, the sugary drops (nectar) that are present at the base of the green sepals that encircle a peony bud are what attract ants. Due to the presence of amino acids, lipids, and other organic substances in addition to sugars, this is an excellent food source for ants.
The peonies ARE NOT being eaten by the ants. A scout ant leaves a pheromone or odor trail on her journey back to her colony after finding nectar on a peony. The scout informs other ants at the nest of the food supply. The recruited ants then return to the nectar-filled peony blossoms by following the olfactory trail.
In return, the ants offer some defense for the plant! The ants attack other bud-eating pests while they are consuming the nectar by stinging, biting, or acid-spraying them before tossing them off the plant in order to preserve their food source.
The ants are also transient. The ants will leave the peony flower once it has bloomed and move on to look for other food sources.
Again, even if there are ants present (for example, if you live on a rooftop), the peony blossoms would still open.
How to Get Rid of Ants on Peonies Before Bringing Indoors
While we appreciate our garden’s pink, crimson, and traditional white peonies, we also like bringing their beauty and smell inside. But how can we prevent bringing ants inside as well?
There are several approaches:
- When the dew is still thick and most of the ants are not yet present, cut the peony early in the morning. Turn the peonies upside down while holding them by the stem just below the flower (to prevent their heads from breaking off). Give the stems directly above the flowers a few solid taps. This aids in removing insects and spiders. Apply the correct amount of force for the stem.
- Watch the ants emerge after dipping each peony bloom in a large dish of chilly water outside. They won’t be able to crawl out if the dish is overfilled. To avoid picking up more ants, gently shake/tap the water off the flower and place the stem in a prepared vase. The water in the dish can then be returned to nature, along with the ants.
Cutting the peony flowers before the buds fully open is yet another technique used by expert growers. To get the peony’s buds to open indoors, you must clip it while they are at the “marshmallow stage” (see photo above).
Why won’t my peony buds open?
For peonies to bloom, they require full sun. It’s possible that the plant received enough sunlight in the early spring to produce the buds, but that the sun is now obstructed since a nearby tree has grown back its leaves. Because the plants are no longer receiving enough sunlight to support the flowers, the buds die.
How can you bring peonies inside without attracting ants?
Originally published: Christina Dennis; modified
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My favorite flower is a peony. The green foliage is quite lovely, and they are so fluffy and lovely! This peony season as I’ve been gathering, weeding, and arranging them, I thought it would be a good idea to write about and explain what I do to make sure my flowers are as lovely as possible when I bring them inside. I’ve learnt a few things after growing them for five years that you might find useful. If you’re interested in learning more about how to cultivate and choose peony as well as how to deal with ants, keep reading if you’re interested.
How to Grow Peonies
From zones 3 to 8, peonies can grow. As a novice home gardener in Alberta, Canada, I am able to grow them there. My knowledge is limited to herbaceous peonies, which are shrub-type peonies that prefer full sun. Mine are in full light on the south side of my house, and they thrive there. Peony plants are widely available at the majority of gardening stores, as well as at Walmart and Home Depot. In order to ensure that you plant them at the proper depth and distance apart, plant them in late spring and pay close attention to the planting instructions that will be included with your purchase.
Just a heads up: Peony plants do take a bit to grow and begin to produce enormous, beautiful blooms. Mine lasted for around four years. I think it’s worthwhile to wait until they are fully grown because once they begin to bloom, you can enjoy these gorgeous perennial plants for many years to come! Alexander Fleming (full and vivid pink) and Sarah Bernhardt are the varieties I possess and adore (full and blush pink). Early in the spring, I like to surround my larger, more mature plants with a ring of stakes. In this way, when they become heavy with lovely blossoms, they won’t droop or topple over.
How to Store Peonies to Bloom Later
In zone 3, peonies only bloom for a few weeks in late June, but there are several simple ways to extend their blooming period! One method is to select them at the ideal moment and place them in the refrigerator. Wait until the peony bud is fully colored and marshmallow-soft to the touch. The flower bud will no longer be green during this stage, known as the “marshmallow stage,” and all that will be seen are the colored petals that are almost ready to open. Once your buds resemble those seen above, trim the stems with garden shears or a sharp knife, removing all of the leaves before gently wrapping the trimmed stems in plastic wrap. After a few weeks of horizontal storage in your refrigerator, remove them, put them in a vase with water, and watch as the petals open up.
How to Deal with Ants on Peonies
Ants adore peonies and may be a real annoyance. When you go to check on your lovely blossoms and discover an ant swarm, it is upsetting. It could be a good idea to keep in mind how crucial these tiny insects are to the maturation of peonies. They consume the nectar from the peony buds, which causes the blooms to open so brilliantly, as a food source. Even so, you still don’t want them in your home, and there are techniques to reduce their numbers so you can peacefully enjoy your indoor flowers.
Picking peonies when they are still in the marshmallow bud stage may help keep ants away from the ones you wish to cut and utilize inside. In this manner, the ants are prevented from colonizing the petals. Then you may place them in a vase with water to allow them to bloom. But be careful not to pick your buds too soon! The nectar (from the extrafloral nectaries, if you want to be nerdy about the whole thing) is what the ants need to consume in order for the peony to open. If you bring them inside before the ants have had a chance to do their thing, they won’t open correctly.
Another approach entails getting rid of ants after the petals have opened and they have established themselves inside the peony head. When your peonies have reached the stage of full opening, use this. Just hang them upside down and vigorously shake them. Before bringing the petals inside, remove any remaining insects. To be sure, you can also soak the flowers outside in a bucket of water while they are upside down to get rid of bugs. My preferred method is to soak mine for about two hours, shake them well, and then bring them indoors. I can assure you that this method effectively eliminates the ants while causing them no harm at all.
How do I force my peonies to bloom?
Just like individuals, peony blossoms respond well to a sprinkle of water on their heads. You may give peonies the boost they need to bloom fully by rapidly immersing the blooms in some lukewarm water for 10-15 seconds every one or two hours.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS: Give them a quick swish in water
There is one more thing you can do if you need your peonies to open yesterday and you just cannot wait another minute for their petals to unfold. Similar to the previous trick, you can immerse the blooms in water and twist and swish them about until air bubbles start to develop in the water and the flowers begin to open.
When peonies arrive as a gift on a particular day or to brighten any home with their bulbous blooms, they should always be enjoyed at their finest. You may always marvel at the beauty of fresh peonies with the help of these tactics and tips.
Do peony in general draw ants?
Peonies may become lanky and need staking to support their blooms if planted in partial shade.
The peony is a favorite flower among gardeners in the South. These sought-after beauties may even be cultivated in backyards, and the vivid, billowy flowers steal the show in cut bouquets. In spring, peonies that are in bloom are welcomed into garden beds, but the swarms of ants that swarm to the flowers are not. Wait a moment before using the pesticide; it’s not a bad idea. Peonies are not harmed by ants; in fact, the creatures aid in their defense. According to the University of Missouri, it is a fallacy that ants help peonies blossom, but the two actually have a positive association.
A sweet, sugary nectar that is secreted by peony blossoms draws ants. An army of ants immediately locates the food source after one ant emits a pheromone to the colony when she discovers a nectar-rich bloom. How is this beneficial to peonies? The ants chase off other insects trying to eat on the peonies in order to defend their prized food source. There is no need to apply insecticide to get rid of the ants because once the nectar is gone, they will depart the flower in search of other sources of sustenance.
Snip just-opening peonies for cut flower bouquets (they will have a longer lifespan in a vase). Make sure no ants are bringing the blossoms inside with them. To get rid of any ants, submerge the chopped peony heads in a bucket of water. Plant peonies inside in the fall for spring blooms. Due to their need for colder winters and the fact that they frequently take two to three years to produce their distinctive show-stopping blooms, these flowers can be challenging to grow in Southern backyards. But good news for you: It is simple to find peonies at nearby grocery stores and flower shops for usage in bouquets and cut arrangements.