Peonies produce nectar on the outside of buds which attracts ants looking for an early season food source.
Peony blooms attract ants
K-State's Domenghini says ants depend on blooms for nectar
At a glance: K-State horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini says don’t worry about ants on Peony blooms. “Some sources state ants help deter pests that would cause harm to the blooms,” she says.
More information: Cynthia Domenghini, Cdom@ksu.edu
Related: K-State Horticulture Newsletter
April 25, 2024
By Maddy Rohr, K-State Research and Extension news service
MANHATTAN, Kan. – If you’re noticing multiple varieties of peonies growing in the garden, or ants crawling on the buds, Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini said this is common and no cause for concern.
“Peonies produce nectar on the outside of buds which attracts ants looking for an early season food source,” Domenghini said. “There is a myth that ants are necessary to get the buds to open.”
Blooms are not dependent upon ants. Rather, ants depend on the blooms for sustenance, Domenghini said. Ants are not problematic for the blooms and insecticide is not warranted.
“Some sources state ants help deter pests that would cause harm to the blooms,” Domenghini said. “As the blooms reach their peak, ants typically move to their next food source.”
Gardeners who intend to harvest peony flowers for the home should cut them before the bloom is fully opened, preferably early in the morning. Buds will continue to open once placed in a vase of water, Domenghini said.
“If ants are present when harvesting, hold the stem upside-down, close to the bloom and gently shake to dislodge ants. The blooms can also be lightly washed to remove ants,” Domenghini said.
Domenghini and her colleagues in K-State's Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens. The newsletter is available to view online or can be delivered by email each week.
Interested persons can also send their garden and yard-related questions to Domenghini at cdom@ksu.edu, or contact your local K-State Research and Extension office.
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K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.