When you touch your peonies in the "bud stage", you can immediately feel a sweet, sticky liquid on your fingers that resembles the consistency of sugar syrup. It is useful to know that this liquid substance is non-toxic and can be easily washed off your hands and clothes.

The flowers are believed to produce this nectar during the last phase of growth, just before the flower opens, so their petals remain tightly closed. The petals are literally "glued" together. This prevents any damage to the reproductive organs.

Ants are crazy about this nectar and love it very much. Sometimes you may see many ants on peonies when the plants are in the "bud stage". Ants are not a threat to your peonies. Just let them enjoy the nectar. You will also notice that once the flowers start to open, the ants will disappear on their own.

However, it happened to me once that I accidentally brought home ants in freshly cut flowers. Since then, I carefully inspect the flowers, leaves and stems before putting them in a vase.

I hope you have learned something new from this text.