Customer photo by Todd of Rochester, N.Y.: This is a picture of an ant on a Sarah Bernhardt peony bud. I think it is beautiful because it shows the interaction between nature and your garden, and can be a wonderful source of enjoyment for all gardners!
See the full-size photo	Go to the Photo Center and see more images from Dutch Gardens customers.

Also note that newly planted peonies usually don't flower the first year, which is spent developing a good root system and foliage. By the second spring after planting, you should see your first blooms.

What are tree peonies?
Although tree peonies are related to regular (herbaceous) peonies, they are much larger, reaching up to 6 feet. Their form is actually more like a shrub than a tree. Plants bloom just before the regular peonies; flowers are equally fragrant.

Can peonies be divided?
Yes. Unlike most perennials, peonies rarely need to be divided. The only reason to do it is to get more plants-or share them with friends. It's best done in the fall. Dig up the clump and use a sharp tool to divide it into sections, keeping three to five eyes in each division. Be sure to water the transplants thoroughly, unless you get plenty of rainfall. Keep in mind that divisions (and transplants) might not begin blooming again for two or three years.

Ants are crawling all over my peony buds. Are they going to eat the flowers?
No. These insects are merely enjoying the sugary syrup produced by the buds and are doing no harm to the plant.

The foliage on my peony has blackened and wilted. What can I do?
Peonies suffer from very few pest and disease problems. Nevertheless, they sometimes get fungal diseases, such as botrytis blight, which you describe. Other similar problems include blackened and/or rotten stems, withered buds, gray mold near the base of the plant. In all cases, remove and destroy the infected plant parts. Make sure the plants aren't getting overwatered; avoid sites with poorly drained soil. Good air circulation around the plant will also minimize fungal problems. After fall frosts have come, trim the stalks to the ground and clear away any remaining foliage.

We recently moved to Florida and want to grow peonies like we did in Connecticut.
Unfortunately, you cannot grow peonies successfully in Florida, southern California and most of the deep south. Zone 8 is the warmest zone for peonies. And if you're growing them in zone 8, it's wise to check locally to see which varieties are known to thrive.

My peonies are gorgeous, but when it rains, the flowers bend to the ground. How can I prevent this?
The best solution is a grid-type support, which helps keep the top-heavy blooms upright. Ring supports will also work, but they aren't quite as "invisible" as the grids. Be sure to put the grids in place in early spring--before the plants are more than a few inches tall.

For a complete line of flower supports, visit Gardener's Supply Company.