Peonies
Grandma once told me that peonies needed ants to open up the blooms. This some 20 years ago. As a child I would love to sit with her and garden. Perhaps that is where my gardening talents came from. Peonies were her prized flower. She waited those long winters just to see those gigantic blooms open and the heavenly scent that came from them. So she told me that ants were needed to open the blooms. Well I believed that until recently. Why shouldn't I. Grandma was a very smart lady.
So I did some research on them and this is what I found.
If you’ve been growing peonies, you will notice that ants tend to congregate on peony plants, especially on the buds. There’s an old myth that peonies need ants to help them open their flower buds, but this is not the case. Ants visit peonies to dine on a sweet substance that is produced by the flower buds, but the ants do not eat or harm peony plants. Ants will hide in the blossoms and hitch a ride into the house on cut peony flowers, however. Avoid bringing ants inside with your bouquets by harvesting peony blooms before they are fully open.
So I guess it is a myth, but deep down inside I believe there must be some truth to it. Grandma was a wise old lady.
Peonies are also my favorite flower. I just wish that there beautiful blooms would last a little longer. And oh Grandma if you could see my peonies today you would be so proud. I have cherished your peony since the day I brought her home to live with me. She is doing very well.
