From our point of view as peony plants, the presence of ants is not a pestilence but a transactional partnership. Our large, tightly bound flower buds secrete a sweet, sugary nectar, a substance highly attractive to ants. This nectar is not waste; it is a deliberate offering. As the ants crawl over our buds to harvest this valuable resource, they perform a vital service. Their movement and feeding help to soften the tough, waxy outer bracts of the bud. This activity acts as a natural loosening agent, making it easier for our petals to unfurl and the flower to bloom successfully. Without this interaction, some of our particularly tight buds might struggle to open properly.
A common myth suggests that we require ants to act as guardians, protecting our delicate blooms from other harmful insects. This is a misunderstanding of our biology. We are not helpless. Our buds and foliage are equipped with our own natural chemical defenses to deter most common pests. The ants are present for the nectar, not for patrol duty. While it is true that ants are territorial and may aggressively disrupt other insects that venture near their food source (our buds), this is a side effect of their foraging, not a service we specifically require. Their protection is incidental, not essential for our health or flowering capability.
Once our magnificent flowers have fully opened, the nectar production ceases. The food reward for the ants disappears. Consequently, the ants’ interest in us wanes significantly. They depart to seek other food sources. This natural conclusion to our arrangement means that when you cut peony blooms for a vase indoors, any ants still present will quickly vacate the flower. They have no desire to remain on a resource that no longer provides sustenance. Therefore, the concern that bringing ant-covered peonies inside will lead to an indoor infestation is largely unfounded. The ants will leave the cut flower on their own.
While we do not inherently suffer from the ants themselves, a potential issue can arise indirectly. If our plant becomes infested with sap-sucking insects like aphids or scale, the ants may be attracted to the honeydew these pests excrete. This can lead to a higher population of these harmful insects, as the ants will protect them from predators to maintain their honeydew supply. A significant accumulation of honeydew can foster the growth of sooty mold, a black fungus that can coat our leaves and impede photosynthesis. In this scenario, the problem is the pest insect, not the ant. The solution is to manage the aphids or scale, which will in turn cause the ants to move on.
