I had a pink peony that I planted from a bulb when I had a house years ago. It was still going strong 20 years on, even being planted in horrible soil, rarely being watered, and being cut down each year after it finished blooming. I remember one year it had over 40 buds that were as big as both my fists put together. And the ants--oh, how they loved those flowers!

Sadly, I don't have a yard anymore, but I did stop by Whole Foods today and bought some dark pink/red blooms. I can't wait for them to open.

Enjoy your peonies!

That photo is so good I can smell the fragrance!!!

But it can't be a peony -- there are no ants.

Only a few have opened and the weather has been chilly and rainy. Give them another couple of days and there will be an invasion.

I just picked a big bouquet to bring inside and was VERY careful to check for ants.

We called then ant plants.