Do peonies need ants to bloom?

Peonies do not need ants to bloom. Ants like the plants because they secrete a sweet, sticky substance before the buds bloom, according to Chateau CharMarron Gardens. Once the blooms open, the ants disappear.

Newly planted peonies do not bloom during their first year because they are developing a supportive root system and developing their leaves. Lack of sufficient light or improper planting may discourage blooms in the following year, however.

Peonies do best in USDA zones 2-8. Early blooming varieties are recommended for planting in warmer climates. A local nursery is the best source of information regarding which varieties prosper in sultry environs.