In article , Jutta writes:

beg to differ - I read in several magazines that ants on the upcoming blooms
are extremely important for the development of blooming.

The magazines are in error .I have many beautiful peonies. Some had ants on
the buds, most did not. All are in full bloom right now, with or without ants
"help"

redclay wrote:

Peonies
do not need ants on them to bloom; if you see ants on them dust with
Rotenone

Not necessary to kill the ants, they do not harm peonies, nor do they help.

Emilie
NorCal zone 8