The sight of damaged foliage and missing blooms can be a frustrating mystery for any gardener, especially when a plant as beloved as the hydrangea is targeted. The answer is yes: squirrels are indeed known culprits for damaging hydrangeas, particularly in residential areas where their natural food sources overlap with cultivated landscapes.
The Primary Target: Buds and Young Stems
Squirrels rarely consume the mature leaves or fully opened flowers of the hydrangea, which may be distasteful to them. Their focus is instead on the tender, nutrient-rich growth that emerges in the spring and early summer. The most frequent targets are the terminal buds and the newest, softest stems, which contain a higher concentration of sugars and moisture.
This behavior is sometimes driven by hunger, especially when natural forage is scarce, or a simple need for hydration during dry spells. The damage often appears as clean, angled cuts, similar to those made by pruning shears, with the detached pieces left uneaten on the ground. This suggests the action is sometimes exploratory, or a method for the rodent to gnaw and keep its continuously growing incisor teeth sharp.
Distinguishing Squirrel Damage from Other Critters
Identifying the source of the damage is necessary, as several garden animals feed on hydrangeas. Squirrel damage is typically characterized by a distinct, sharp-cut appearance on the stems or the clean removal of flower buds from higher up the plant. The discarded plant material is often scattered directly beneath the shrub.
In contrast, damage from white-tailed deer presents as ragged, torn edges on stems and leaves, because deer must pull and twist the plant material to break it. Deer browsing generally occurs higher up, often stripping large sections of foliage. Rabbit damage is usually confined to the base of the plant, involving a clean, low clipping of young, soft shoots close to the ground. Insect damage typically leaves behind small holes, skeletonized leaves, or discoloration.
Deterring Squirrels from Hydrangeas
Protecting your hydrangeas involves using a multi-pronged approach, focusing on exclusion and deterrents. One of the most effective methods is the use of physical barriers, such as placing fine-mesh netting or small cages over newly forming buds and stems. This physical obstruction prevents squirrels from accessing the most vulnerable parts of the plant during the early growth season.
For an immediate, non-physical solution, taste and smell deterrents can be employed, such as commercial granular repellents or homemade applications of capsaicin powder or spray. Since these are subject to weather, it is necessary to reapply hot pepper mixtures regularly, particularly after rain or heavy watering. You can also try diversionary tactics, such as ensuring a nearby source of fresh water is available, which may reduce the animal’s motivation to chew on moist plant tissue for hydration.