Ants and Peony Flowers

Some species of ants have a symbiotic relationship with peony flowers. The peony produces a nectar that attracts ants, and in return, the ants help to open up the flower buds.

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The Relationship Between Ants and Peonies

Ants and peonies have a mutual relationship which seems like a match made in natures heaven! The nectar produced by peonies is a natural attractant to some ants. So it makes sense to see ants eager to get in the tightly wound bud of a peony! While ants are not needed to open the buds of the peony, the relationship is beneficial to both!

Mutualism in Nature

As the peony buds begin to open, the ants crawl inside and start to feed on the nectar. While they are inside the flower, the ants move around and create small openings in the petals, which allows more light and air to reach the center of the flower. The nectar in the plant provides essential sugars for the ants and the ants protect the plant from aphids and assist in letting light and air into the petals.

Are Ants Harmful to Peonies

No! Ant are in no way harming the peony by crawling around on it! They are not eating the actual flowers of the peony. In fact, the ants are actually helping to protect the flower by warding off other pests that may want to munch on the buds as a snack!

Should You Get Rid of the Ants?

The short answer: no! As mentioned, ants and the peonies are mutually beneficial to one another. The only reason I can see for not wanting the ants to be on the flowers is if you are planning on cutting them and bringing them inside. If you are looking for an affordable pair of garden clippers, give these a try! If that is the case, you can gently try to tap off any lingering ants while taking care not to harm the ants or the flower.

So there you have it! Next time you see little ants crawling around on peony buds, you can share your knowledge of their relationship with someone!

Happy Gardening!

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Rebecca

Hello, I am Rebecca! I am so glad you are here on this journey with me! Here, I am sharing my passions including gardening, cooking, baking, crafting, natural living and so much more! In addition to the content I share on my YouTube page, I also write a blog.

It took a long time for the things I am passionate about to awaken within me. Now that they have, I am eager to share them with others.

Among the many things I am passionate about, gardening is one of them. In addition to gardening, I also enjoy different areas of art, crafting, photography and home project DIY.

ABOUT AUTHOR

Rebecca

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