A watercolor of five clusters of peony buds and blooms. Double peonies have countless petals and irresistibly cute buds that seem ready to burst. These pink blossoms appear soft and delicate. I was once told that peonies needed ants in order to properly blossom, turns out that was just a myth. Ants and peonies have a symbiotic relationship: peony buds secrete nectar that attracts ants, creating a mutually beneficial relationship where ants are fed by the nectar and, in return, protect the buds from other insects.