Q&A for How to Get Peonies to Bloom

Peonies are a genus of flowering perennial plants. They are a popular garden plant because of their large, very fragrant flowers. A common problem faced by peony growers, however, is the congregation of ants on the flowers. Peony buds secrete a sap that is rich in carbohydrates, and the ants feed on this substance. They feast on the sticky sugars that the buds secrete.

Peonies (Paeonia spp.) comprise roughly 30 species and hundreds of cultivars with varying flower colors. Broadly speaking, peonies grow as either a small woody shrub, called a tree peony, or as herbaceous perennials that die back to the ground each winter. Regardless of type, peony plants produce only one flower display each year, during mid-spring to early summer.

No, peony flowers open on their own. Ants simply feed on exudate from the flowers as explained above.

Peonies that are planted too deep usually don't flower. Replant it in the fall where the horizontal stems are at the soil surface.

If peonies are planted too deeply, they may not flower. Replant it in the fall, ensuring the horizontal stems are at the soil surface.

Peonies planted too deep often don't flower. Replant them in the fall with the horizontal stems at the soil surface.

Peonies planted too deeply often don't flower. Replant them in the fall with the horizontal stems at the soil surface.