The Peony really has settled into it's new home. This year it is twice as large as last and has 5 buds. I haven't seen any ants on the buds so .... do they really need the ants help to get the bloom open like I have heard?
That is a really pretty color of pink.glad it bloomed for you. Sometimes they won't bloom if they are planted too deep.
The wait was well worth it to have her bloom so beautifully for you. Five buds and probably even more next year. Congratulations.
I'm a little concerned about where she is now that she has settled in so well. But I can move the Liatris this fall to give her a bit more room.
So she settled in really well in 2015 but didn't even make an appearance in 2016 or 2017 but I was watering that bed this morning (we have not had rain in over 2 weeks and the soil needs to be softened up for planting Monarda tomorrow.) and notice something hiding in the shady corner...looked at it again and again and finally remembered the peony I planted there but I though was long dead and gone.....It's Back!!!! No buds but the plants looks much better than it did last time it showed up.
I am sceptical of the ants opening up your peonys for you. Those buds do ooze some nectar-like substance that honeybees like and ants as well, but they use it to feed young ones, larvae and themselves back in their respective nests. Honeybees also use it as a constituent to make propolis. If you ever get a proper answer on this, I would love to hear it.
Toni, its looking like a Peony Sarah Bernhardt. Its just like mine. Mine are just shoots, no buds till summer. K
The site of the text: more imfo https://www.jparkers.co.uk/3-peony-...MIve61jc_B2gIVEjwbCh0NcQggEAQYAiABEgKhwvD_BwE
