peonies on long island

I remember the first spring I grew these. there were dozens of ants crawling all over the buds. I wondered if the flowers were going to be eaten alive. then just by luck I heard that the ants actually help the buds to open up so they can flower. how cool is that?
peonies are one of my favorite flowers to bring inside the house. they last a long time in a vase with some sugar water. their scent is similar to a rose.