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Annuals/Peony flowers

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Expert: - 5/28/2007


Question
What does Ants do for this flower?  I have 4 very old peony bushes that won't bloom so I brought re-enforcments or so I think.....

Answer
Heather,
It's an "old gardener's tale" that ants help the peonies bloom, but it's not true.  Peony blossoms exude a sap as they develop, and this attracts the ants, but the ants neither help or hurt the peony flowers and plants.  Ignore them, and enjoy those peony flowers!  They are one of my favorite perennial plants....have you grown "Raspberry Sundae" peonies?  They are fantastic!

all the best,
C.L.

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C.L. Fornari

Expertise

Annuals suggested for specific situations (sun, shade, windowboxes etc) New or unusual annuals are a particular interest of mine, and I grow many of these from seed. I am happy to help problem solve, answer questions about maintenance, and guide you to sources of unusual plants.

Experience

I am a garden writer/speaker/consultant and host of a weekly gardening radio program in the Northeast. I have been gardening all my life for my own pleasure, and started as a professional gardener and garden communicator 15 years ago. I work part-time at a garden center, selling and tending shrubs/trees/annuals/perennials...and doing some propagation and design work. I often think that all these professional activities serve to put a somewhat legitimate framework around a serious case of plant-lust.

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