How Do You Care for Cut Peonies, and Why Are There Ants on Them?

Cut or buy peonies at the "marshmallow stage," when the buds are still closed but show some color and feel soft when gently squeezed; then recut the stems and set them in clean water with flower food. The University of Missouri's Integrated Pest Management program says peonies at that stage typically reach full bloom within 8 to 48 hours of going into water, and Chicago Botanic Garden says cut stems can be stored in the refrigerator for two to three weeks to open later.

The ants are harmless, and the peony does not need them. Michele Warmund writes in a University of Missouri IPM article that "it is a myth that peonies require ants to bloom."

Peony buds have extrafloral nectaries, small glands on the outside of the bud that secrete a nectar of sugars, amino acids and lipids. Ants come for that nectar and, in return, guard the buds from other insects that feed on flowers, a relationship biologists call mutualism. Missouri says no insecticide is needed. This guide covers when to cut peonies, how to get ants off, how to make peonies last, how to store buds in the fridge, how long they last and how to get a garden peony to bloom.

Why are there ants on peonies?

They are collecting nectar. The University of Missouri IPM program explains that peony buds have extrafloral nectaries, glands on the outside of the bud that secrete nectar containing sucrose, glucose, fructose, amino acids and lipids. Ants feed on it and protect the buds from other flower-feeding insects.

Key points from Missouri:

• Ants do no harm to peonies.

• Peonies do not need ants to open. That idea is a myth.

• Insecticides are unnecessary.

Missouri also notes that tiny thrips, about 1 to 2 millimeters long, can blemish the petals. Those are a different insect from the ants.

How do you get ants off cut peonies?

Shake or rinse them outside before bringing them in. Missouri recommends shaking ants off outdoors or rinsing the flowers, and Chicago Botanic Garden suggests dunking the blossom end in cool, clean water for about 30 seconds.

For a quick routine, cut the stems outside, then hold each stem upside down and dunk the bud in a bucket of cool water for about 30 seconds. Shake gently and let the bud drip dry. Check the base of the bud for any remaining ants before bringing the stems indoors.

When should you cut peonies?

At the marshmallow stage. Missouri and Chicago Botanic Garden describe the same test: the bud is still closed, shows some color and feels soft, like a marshmallow, when you gently squeeze it.

When cutting from your own plant, Chicago Botanic Garden recommends leaving at least two sets of leaves on the stem. West Virginia University Extension also lists peonies among flowers best harvested before they bloom, early in the morning or early in the evening.

How do you make cut peonies last longer?

Follow a clean vase routine, as Penn State Extension recommends for all fresh flowers.

Wash the vase. Use hot, soapy water, and disinfect it with 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.

Add the flower food packet. Mix it as directed. Penn State says it works better than any homemade mixture.

Strip the lower leaves. Remove any leaves that would sit below the water line.

Recut the stems at an angle. Make the cut under water if possible.

Check the water daily. Change it every few days.

Keep the vase cool. Set it out of direct sun and away from heat.

Keep peonies away from fruit. Chicago Botanic Garden warns that fruit gives off ethylene, which causes peony petals to drop and buds to wilt or fail to open. For more on fruit in flower displays, see the guide to a Thanksgiving centerpiece that lasts through the weekend.

If a bud droops before opening, Chicago Botanic Garden says it can often be revived in warm water.

Can you store peonies in the fridge?

Yes, for two to three weeks, according to Chicago Botanic Garden.

Its two methods:

• Upright: stand the stems in a vase of cool water in the refrigerator.

• Dry: lay the stems flat in a plastic bag with a dry paper towel.

Chicago Botanic Garden recommends checking the stems daily, discarding any that turn moldy and keeping fruit out of the same refrigerator.

Missouri adds that refrigerating marshmallow-stage buds lets you bloom them later. When you are ready, recut the stems and put them in water, and the buds can open within 8 to 48 hours.

That makes it possible to save garden peonies for a party or a weekend.

How long do cut peonies last?

Penn State Extension says fresh flowers given good care can last one to two weeks, sometimes longer, depending on the variety. With peonies, part of that time is the opening: Missouri says marshmallow-stage buds reach full bloom within 8 to 48 hours in water. Buds stored in the refrigerator, as Chicago Botanic Garden describes, can wait two to three weeks before they go into a vase.

How do you get a garden peony to bloom?

Check the sun, the planting depth and the fertilizer. University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension lists these causes when peonies fail to bloom.

Too little sun. Peonies need full sun to flower, at least six hours a day. Trees that have grown over the years can shade out a peony that once bloomed well.

Planted too deep. The buds, or eyes, should sit about 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface. Planted deeper, peonies grow plenty of leaves but few if any flowers.

Too much nitrogen. Excess nitrogen can produce foliage at the expense of flowers.

Recent transplanting. A moved peony may take a few seasons to bloom well again.

UW-Madison says September is the best month to divide and replant peonies, though they can be left undisturbed for many years. After bloom, deadhead the spent flowers but leave the foliage, and cut the foliage down in fall to reduce disease.

FAQ

Do peonies need ants to bloom?

No. The University of Missouri IPM program calls that a myth.

Are peonies toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. The ASPCA lists peony as toxic to cats and dogs. See the guide to flowers that are safe for cats for alternatives.

Why won't my peony buds open in the vase?

They may have been cut too early, or they may be near fruit. Chicago Botanic Garden warns that ethylene from fruit can keep buds from opening, and recommends buds that feel like a marshmallow.

How do you revive drooping peonies?

Chicago Botanic Garden says drooping buds can often be revived in warm water. Recut the stems first.

What does a peony mean?

Kate Greenaway's 1884 Language of Flowers gives "Shame. Bashfulness." Iowa State University Extension's list gives "Shame, happy life, happy marriage."

When are peonies in season?

Roots to Petals has offered its peony bouquets and arrangements around Mother's Day in May.

Peonies From Roots to Petals in Oakmont

Roots to Petals is an independent, woman-owned florist and plant studio at 527 Allegheny Avenue in Oakmont. In peony season, the shop has offered a Mother's Day Peony Wrapped Bouquet of five premium peonies in coral, pink and white, a Peony Vase Arrangement and a Peony and Hydrangea arrangement. Its garden-style bouquets and arrangements use locally grown specialty flowers whenever possible, and custom requests can be made by phone. Read more about why locally grown flowers make a difference, and see the guide on how to make cut flowers last longer.

Visit Roots to Petals or call 412-822-6023 today. Contact us for more information.