We always wondered about the ants. They never seemed to damage the flowers, and my Dad said there must be some kind of benefit to both the plants and the ants.
Here's a photo from last year of some of our peonies, taken by my wife. Bottom left is Coral Sunset. The others are (clockwise from top left) Claire de Lune, Soft Salmon Saucer and Chocolate Soldier
Here too🙂. Had a sunny day Monday and light rain Tuesday. Photo taken Tuesday afternoon. Tiger Lilly, Dog Rose, and Butterfly Bush. Nature doing its thing 🌸
I’m in Texas and mine are all done. I used to dead head them and cut them back when they get the late summer ratty look, but hip problems have prevented doing that for the last couple of years, and they are bigger and healthier than eve before.
Problem is, my second favorite flower is lilacs. Gone by mid-May. So I have two weeks at the beginning of May, the last week of May and first of June, and then I just mope until the next spring.
They are such drama queens! I particularly love the way they grow ever more extravagant as they age, insisting on taking up more space and being more lush.
My Peonies have just popped. I am very fortunate this year that the squirrels haven't eaten off the buds. They might still destroy the flowers, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that they leave the flowers alone.
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Hydrangeas are next so I can’t complain!
Love peonies!
and yet, I see no ants, very suss...
What variety is it? I love peonies that are not cabbage-like, I hate it when they flop over
Or use the wire supports. Generally speaking the ones that get super heavy and flop are bred for cut flower so enjoy them inside
Sadly, it will be over in two weeks. Nothing gold can stay.
Beautiful flower you have there!
Farther north than you, so still budded here, but the ants are crawling. That one of yours is a beaut!