Do Squirrels Eat Hydrangeas

If you’re a gardener, you’ve probably noticed some suspicious nibbles on your prized plants. Do squirrels eat hydrangeas? The short, and often frustrating, answer is yes, they certainly can. These bushy-tailed critters are known for sampling a wide variety of garden flora, and your hydrangeas are not always safe. This article will help you understand why they do it and, more importantly, how you can protect your beautiful blooms.

Seeing a squirrel chomp on a hydrangea bud can be surprising. They aren’t the primary pest for these shrubs—that title often goes to deer—but squirrels will turn to them, especially when other food is scarce. They are opportunistic feeders, and the tender buds, young leaves, and sometimes even the bark of hydrangeas can become a target. It’s usually more about the moisture and tender texture than taste.

Why Squirrels Target Your Garden Plants

Squirrels are foragers by nature. Your garden is essentially a convenient buffet for them. Here are the main reasons they might be eyeing your hydrangeas:

Food Scarcity: In early spring or late fall, natural food sources like nuts and seeds are harder to find. Your garden offers an easy meal.
Hydration: The juicy stems and buds of hydrangeas provide a source of water, particularly in dry spells.
Teeth Maintenance: A squirrel’s teeth never stop growing. Gnawing on harder stems and bark helps file them down.
Curiosity: Young squirrels, in particular, will taste-test almost anything as they learn whats edible.

What Parts of the Hydrangea Are at Risk?

Squirrels don’t typically devour an entire hydrangea plant. Instead, they cause specific types of damage. Knowing what to look for helps confirm the culprit.

Bud Theft: This is the most common complaint. Squirrels will bite off the fat, tender flower buds, often leaving them discarded on the ground.
Leaf Nibbling: They may take small bites from young, soft leaves, creating irregular holes.
Bark Damage: In winter, they might strip bark from the lower stems, which can harm the plant if it’s extensive.
Digging: While not eating the plant itself, they dig in the soft soil around hydrangeas to bury or retrive food, disturbing roots.

Effective Strategies to Protect Your Hydrangeas

Protecting your plants requires a mix of deterrence and barriers. A single method rarely works forever, so be prepared to rotate tactics.

Physical Barriers and Blockades

These are often the most reliable methods because they create a direct obstacle.

Chicken Wire Cages: Create a simple cage from chicken wire and place it over the shrub in early spring when buds form. Ensure it’s staked down.
Tree Guards: Wrap the lower stems with a commercial tree guard or plastic tubing to prevent bark stripping.
Netting: Drape bird netting over the plant. Make sure it’s secured tightly so squirrels don’t get tangled.
Cloches or Baskets: For smaller or potted hydrangeas, a wire cloche can be a perfect and decorative solution.

Natural Deterrents and Repellents

These methods aim to make your plants less appealing or the area less inviting.

Capsaicin Sprays: Commercial or homemade sprays with hot pepper can deter nibbling. Reapply after rain.
Predator Scents: Granules or sprays that mimic the urine of foxes or coyotes can scare squirrels away.
Strong-Smelling Companions: Plant garlic, alliums, or marigolds near your hydrangeas. Squirrels tend to avoid these scents.
Mulch Textures: Squirrels dislike walking on certain textures. Try a layer of sharp-edged gravel or pine cones as mulch.

Garden Environment Management

Sometimes, the best defense is making your yard less squirrel-friendly overall.

Remove Food Sources: Keep bird feeders far from your garden. Use squirrel-proof feeders and clean up spilled seed.
Provide an Alternative: Set up a squirrel feeder stocked with corn or nuts at the opposite end of your yard to distract them.
Trim Access Routes: Cut back tree branches that overhang your hydrangeas, eliminating their aerial highways.
Secure Compost: Keep compost bins tightly covered, as they attract squirrels looking for an easy snack.

What to Do If Damage Occurs

If a squirrel has already gotten to your plants, don’t panic. Hydrangeas are resilient. Follow these steps to help them recover:

Assess the Damage: Check how many buds or stems are lost. Light nibbling is mostly cosmetic.
Clean Up: Prune away any badly damaged or broken stems just above a set of leaves.
Fertilize Gently: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to give the plant a nutrient boost for recovery.
Water Well: Ensure the plant gets consistent water to reduce stress, but avoid waterlogging the soil.
Apply Protection: Immediately put one of the protective barriers in place to prevent a second attack.

Common Myths About Squirrels and Hydrangeas

Let’s clear up some common misconceptions. Not everything you hear is accurate.

Myth: Coffee grounds will reliably repel squirrels. Truth: While they dislike the texture, the scent fades quickly and it’s not a strong deterrent on its own.
Myth: All hydrangea varieties are equally at risk. Truth: Some gardeners report that oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) with their textured leaves are bothered less often.
Myth: Ultrasonic devices are a foolproof solution. Truth: Squirrels often habituate to these sounds, and their effectiveness is widely debated.
Myth: If you see one squirrel, you have a major infestation. Truth: Often, it’s just one or two individual animals causing the problem.

FAQ: Squirrels and Hydrangeas

Do squirrels eat hydrangea flowers?

They are more likely to eat the buds before they open. A fully opened flower is less appealing, but they may still damage it while climbing.

What animal is eating my hydrangeas at night?

If damage happens overnight, consider deer, rabbits, or possums. Squirrels are primarily active during the day.

Are hydrangeas poisonous to squirrels?

No, hydrangeas are not toxic to squirrels. That’s part of the reason they feel free to sample them without ill effects.

Will mothballs keep squirrels away from plants?

It’s not recommended. Mothballs are pesticides that can contaminate soil and water and are harmful to pets, children, and wildlife.

Do fake owls scare squirrels away?

They might provide a temporary scare, but squirrels are clever and quickly realize the owl is not a real threat if it never moves.

What smells do squirrels hate the most?

Strong scents like peppermint oil, garlic, and vinegar can be off-putting, but they need frequent reapplication to remain effective.

In the end, managing squirrels is a common part of gardening. Persistence is key. By combining a physical barrier with some habitat modification, you can greatly reduce the chances of your hydrangeas becoming a squirrel snack. Remember, a thriving garden is all about balance, and with these tips, you can protect your blooms while coexisting with your local wildlife. Keep an eye on your plants, especially in early spring, and act quickly at the first sign of trouble.