When peonies suffer damage, the blame often falls on the common garden squirrel. These rodents frequently conflict with cultivated plants. Gardeners often discover clipped stems or missing flower buds and wonder if the squirrel is consuming the plant or simply being destructive. Understanding the relationship between this rodent and the peony is the first step toward effective plant protection.
Yes, But It Depends (The Direct Answer)
Squirrels are not primary herbivores of the peony, as their diet consists mainly of nuts, seeds, and fungi. However, they will consume specific parts of the plant when other resources are scarce. This behavior is most often observed in early spring when tender, newly emerging shoots and red buds offer moisture and soft material.
Damage frequently results from two behaviors: intentional consumption and accidental interference. The most common complaint is that squirrels clip the buds off and leave them nearby, rather than eating them. This clipping may be a quest for moisture inside the bud or an attempt to sample a potential food source that is quickly discarded.
The second source of damage involves the squirrel’s instinct to bury and retrieve food caches. When a squirrel chooses a peony bed for burying nuts or seeds, the digging disrupts the soil. This action can damage the plant’s shallow root system or newly emerged shoots, which is particularly detrimental to young peonies whose roots are not yet established.
Understanding Why Peonies Are Appealing
The primary attraction is the developing flower bud, which is vulnerable before it opens. Peony buds exude a sugary sap, a sticky liquid that sometimes crystallizes on the outside. This exudate primarily attracts ants, but it can also draw the attention of squirrels looking for a quick energy source or moisture.
Mature peony foliage is generally avoided, possibly due to its texture or the presence of compounds that are unpalatable to rodents. However, the tender buds present an easy target. The nutritional motivation for consumption is minimal, as the squirrel usually takes only a few bites or clips the bud entirely. The act of clipping the bud may also be exploratory behavior, testing the item for suitability before abandoning it.
Damage to the root system is a consequence of the animal’s caching behavior. Squirrels instinctively choose soft, easily manipulated soil to bury their stores. A freshly tilled or mulched peony bed provides an ideal location for this purpose. This leads to accidental damage to the plant’s crown or roots as the squirrel digs to store or retrieve its cache.
Practical Methods for Protecting Your Peonies
Protecting vulnerable peony buds requires addressing both the physical and behavioral motivations of the squirrel. One effective solution is creating a physical barrier around the susceptible parts of the plant. A small cage made of chicken wire or hardware cloth can be placed over new shoots in early spring to prevent squirrels from accessing and clipping the buds.
Taste and scent deterrents are also effective. Squirrels have an aversion to capsaicin, the compound found in chili peppers. Sprinkling cayenne pepper, chili flakes, or a commercial capsaicin-based spray around the base and onto the buds can discourage biting. These deterrents must be reapplied frequently, especially after rain, to maintain potency.
To reduce the appeal for caching, make the soil less inviting. Laying down a layer of small, sharp gravel or covering the soil surface with wire mesh prevents squirrels from digging near the plant’s base. Offering an alternative food source, such as a designated feeding station with nuts and seeds placed away from the peony bed, may also distract hungry squirrels and reduce pressure on developing flowers.