Lesson 3
Care that costs nothing
Feed in early spring with a balanced organic granular feed, and again after flowering with a high-potash one. Mulch annually with compost but keep mulch off the crown.
Ant invasion of buds is normal and harmless — ants eat the sticky nectar; they don't damage the bud. The old wives' tale that buds 'need' ants to open is false but the ants don't hurt.
Water deeply once a week in dry spells, especially during bud formation in April–May. Container peonies need more frequent watering — but never waterlogged.
If a mature peony refuses to flower, it's almost always because it was planted too deep. Lift in autumn, replant with the crown just below the surface, and wait two years for the explosion.