Whats That On My Peonies?!

What's the biggest question people have before buying peonies? 

"Won't it bring ants, I hear it'll bring ants?"

It wouldn't be a peony if it didn't have ants crawling all over it. I haven't seen an old botanical illustration of peonies without their attendant. And I like ants, and think E.O. Wilson is great.

This beetle is doing his damage. I think flower petals look tasty too, and some are, but not peonies. I believe this is a Rose Chafer, known to eat roses, but with a side of peony. Its not one of those "exotic" beetles, just an ordinary North American.

Not unusual to see the ant on the bud, but there with a lightning bug? Hmm. I guess if its good enough for ant, its good enough for bug. I've seen them about, but not lighting up yet here in the CT hills.

The Green Lacewing. You'll often notice these in the evening, their fluttering illuminated by the brooding sky. Their larvae eat well in the garden, much like lady bug (aphids yum) and lightning bug larvae (slug babies yum).

Peonies Envy

I do not grow peonies in my roughshod garden. Yet I always see them in the country side, in gardens and yards. I have little to say about the peonies that the photos do not already say. I will say this, however, about my camera -it always has trouble with the saturated, hot reds, pinks, and oranges.

They're grown in a row along this wall. Hear this suburban county reader: deer do not enjoy the herbaceous peonies (tree peonies another story). If they did enjoy peonies, these would have been gone decades ago. This peony bed happens to be situated right in the center of their town -Deertown. Apparently deer like to plant ornamentals in their town, not just edibles. They also would rather look at, as opposed to eat, the stalwart Salvia, stiffly blooming for weeks as if it is made of plastic.

I must admit to enjoying these compact bud balls as much as the flower.