If you’re tired of seeing your flower bulbs dug up and your blooms nibbled, you’re probably wondering what flowers do chipmunks hate. These cute but troublesome critters can cause real headaches in the garden, but the good news is that certain plants naturally send them packing.
By choosing the right flowers, you can protect your garden beds without resorting to harsh methods. This guide will walk you through the best plants to use, how to plant them effectively, and other smart strategies to keep your garden looking its best.
What Flowers Do Chipmunks Hate
Chipmunks rely heavily on their keen sense of smell to find food and avoid danger. The flowers they avoid typically have strong scents, bitter tastes, or toxic properties that these small mammals find offensive or confusing. Planting these is a proactive, natural way to defend your garden.
Here are the top categories and specific flowers that chipmunks tend to steer clear of:
Strongly Scented Flowers
These plants produce powerful aromatic oils that overwhelm a chipmunk’s sensitive nose, masking the smell of more appealing treats.
* Daffodils (Narcissus): All parts of the daffodil are toxic, and chipmunks seem to know it. They avoid the bulbs, which is a huge bonus for spring gardens.
* Hyacinths: Their intense fragrance is beautiful to us but a deterrent to chipmunks and other rodents.
* Alliums (Ornamental Onions): This family includes flowering onions, garlic, and chives. The strong oniony scent is a major turn-off.
* Lavender: Its lovely scent for us is a potent repellent for many pests, including chipmunks.
* Russian Sage: This tough perennial has a strong, aromatic scent that chipmunks dislike.
Flowers with Bitter or Toxic Sap
Plants with milky or irritating sap taste bad and can be harmful if ingested.
* Marigolds: The distinct, pungent smell of marigolds is known to repel many insects and animals. French marigolds are particularly effective.
* Geraniums (especially Scented Varieties): The strong scent and slightly bitter taste make them unappealing.
* Bleeding Heart (Dicentra): This plant contains alkaloids that are toxic if eaten in quantity, which animals seem to sense.
* Foxglove (Digitalis): Highly toxic. Chipmunks generally avoid it, but use caution if you have pets or small children.
* Milkweed: Its milky sap is a deterrent to most animals, though it’s crucial for monarch butterflies.
Creating a Protective Garden Layout
Knowing what flowers chipmunks avoid is half the battle. The next step is using them strategically in your garden design. You don’t need to plant only these flowers; you just need to use them as a protective barrier.
Think of these deterrent plants as a living fence. Here’s how to place them:
1. Perimeter Defense: Plant a border of daffodils, alliums, or marigolds around the edge of your garden, especially near wooded areas or stone walls where chipmunks live.
2. Interplanting: Mix your deterrent flowers in among your vulnerable plants. For example, plant hyacinths or lavender between your tulip bulbs or around hostas.
3. Container Strategy: Use pots of strongly scented geraniums or lavender near patio gardens or entrances to your vegetable plots.
Bulbs That Chipmunks Usually Ignore
Spring bulb loss is one of the biggest complaints about chipmunks. While they love tulip and crocus bulbs, they consistently avoid these:
* Daffodils
* Hyacinths
* Alliums (like Globemaster and Purple Sensation)
* Snowdrops (Galanthus)
* Fritillaria (especially Crown Imperial, which has a skunky odor)
A good tip is to plant your vulnerable bulbs surrounded by a “cage” of daffodil bulbs. The chipmunk will encounter the deterrent first and often give up.
Other Effective Deterrents Beyond Flowers
Flowers are a great first line of defense, but for a serious chipmunk problem, combine them with other tactics.
Physical Barriers:
* Use hardware cloth (wire mesh) cages when planting precious bulbs.
* Add a layer of sharp gravel or crushed oyster shell in planting holes; chipmunks hate digging through it.
* Secure netting over newly seeded areas.
Habitat Modification:
Chipmunks need cover to feel safe. Removing their hiding spots makes your garden less inviting.
* Clear away brush piles, rock piles, and thick ground cover near garden beds.
* Keep grass trimmed and avoid storing wood or materials directly on the soil.
Natural Repellents:
* Sprinkle Cayenne Pepper: A light dusting on soil or bulbs can deter digging. Reapply after rain.
* Use Predator Scents: Granules or sprays containing fox or coyote urine can create a “danger zone” signal.
* Plant Mint: Its aggressive spread and strong scent can deter chipmunks (but plant it in containers to control it).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the right flowers, a few errors can undermine your efforts. Watch out for these pitfalls.
* Planting in Isolation: One marigold plant won’t protect a large area. You need a concentrated group or border to be effective.
* Neglecting Cleanup: Leaving spilled birdseed, fallen fruit, or nuts around is an open invitation. It attracts chipmunks right past your deterrent flowers.
* Forgetting About Water: Chipmunks need water. If you have a easily accessible birdbath or pet water dish near the garden, they’ll tolerate more to get to it.
* Giving Up Too Soon: It can take a season or two for plants to establish and for chipmunks to get the message. Consistency is key.
Long-Term Maintenance for a Chipmunk-Resistant Garden
Keeping chipmunks at bay is an ongoing process. Here’s a simple seasonal checklist to stay ahead of them.
Spring:
* Inspect for and fill in any burrow entrances near gardens.
* Apply natural repellents as you plant new bulbs or seedlings.
* Ensure your deterrent flower borders are healthy and filling in.
Summer:
* Stay on top of harvesting ripe vegetables and fruit.
* Keep the garden tidy, removing any debris that provides cover.
* Reapply cayenne or spray repellents after heavy rains.
Fall:
* This is critical planting time for bulbs. Always use your deterrent bulbs (daffodils) as a protective shield for any tulips you plant.
* Clean up all fallen produce and seed heads.
* Consider installing physical barriers over newly planted areas.
Winter:
* Plan your garden layout for the next year, noting where problems occured.
* Order bulbs and seeds for your chipmunk-deterring flowers early.
FAQ: Flowers and Chipmunks
What smells do chipmunks hate the most?
Chipmunks hate strong, pungent scents. The most effective are garlic, onion, cayenne pepper, peppermint, and the smells of predator urine (like fox or coyote).
Do marigolds really keep chipmunks away?
Yes, marigolds can help repel chipmunks. Their strong scent masks the smell of more desirable plants and can confuse and deter them, especially if planted thickly as a border.
What plants are chipmunk proof?
No plant is completely “proof,” but chipmunks strongly avoid daffodils, alliums, hyacinths, lavender, foxglove, and Russian sage. These are your safest bets for minimal damage.
Will coffee grounds deter chipmunks?
Used coffee grounds are sometimes recommended, but their effectiveness is mild and temporary. They work better for snails and slugs. Stronger scents like cayenne are more reliable for chipmunks.
Do chipmunks eat petunias or impatiens?
While not their first choice, chipmunks may occasionally nibble on petunias or impatiens, especially if other food sources are scarce. They are more likely to dig in the soil around them.
Creating a beautiful garden that chipmunks avoid is absolutely possible. It requires a mix of smart plant choices, strategic layout, and consistent garden hygiene. By focusing on flowers with strong scents and unappealing tastes, you can cultivate a space that you love and chipmunks will simply pass by. Start with a border of daffodils or alliums this fall, and you’ll likely notice a positive difference come spring. Remember, persistence and a layered approach are your best tools for success.