Is it true?

Fantastic Pic Lori :)

Very nice. This is a Peony bud ?

I just love peonies, but I only have four of them. The usual ant exploring a bud... are the old wives tales true do you think?

I've a peony and every year the plant itself looks great, but it only gives us one flower... It's a beautiful flower, but I want more than one. Any helpful hints? Thanks :)

This a wonderful photo Lori!! Well done~

Welllll....TG...I'm not sure I can offer a definitive cause of the singular bloom... perhaps you could check how deep the bud eyes are underground...if they are more than two inches you won't get much blossom... do you think that might be the cause...sorry to take so long to get back to this page to respond TG...mea culpa...
Thanks Yellowleaf...was experimenting with the macro lense on my little camera ... it's possible to get some really good insect pics with it...

Yes to your initial question, Lori. Ants and peonies go together. I think the ants lick the sticky substance between the petals and then they can open up. We always have ants on our peonies. We have to be careful not to use pest destroyers in our garden - so many insects are beneficial and necessary to other living things.

So true, Elke! I use soapy water in a spray bottle...and that's as toxic as I want to get! and I only use that when I can't keep up by picking them off...oh yes, and baking soda and water for mildew... but I never spray the ants...because the sparrows seem to keep them in check and that's how it's supposed to work isn't it?

im going to have to check mine for ants next year...

Since the move my peonies are sulking...they started out with many potential blossoms, of which I had only a few flowers develop and the rest of the buds just shrivelled. and I think that they don't like where I've located them... going to move them to a spot with less fertile soil...seems they are happiest in the most neglected and deprived situations! check out Crissue's recipe for peony neglect. She's collecting road sand to plant hers in! lol....