Are you using a different fertilizer or amendment around them? There are several things that the ants don't like that will keep them away, you might've just hit upon a happy accident--no pesky ants when you're visiting your peonies! The ants aren't necessary for them to flower, anyway.

Nothing different so I guess just a happy accident. I was just quite surprised and had in the past thought the ants were necessary. Thanks for responding.

I read in a book that ants are not necessary for peonies to bloom. I think the ants are simply drawn to the sap and tender shoots. Your ants may have simply died. Was your winter unusually cold?

Last summer was unusually hot and last winter was unusually cold and we had cold weather a lot later into the "spring" season. Who knows. Maybe they did just die. This was just a first for me (to not have ants). Thanks for responding.