Flowers are a prominent feature in both wild ecosystems and cultivated gardens, serving as a food source for a diverse range of animals. Various creatures, from insects to mammals, are drawn to the nutritional offerings of blooms. Understanding which animals consume flowers and their motivations provides insight into managing and protecting floral displays.
Common Animals That Eat Flowers
Many animals, large and small, consume flowers, each with distinct feeding habits. Mammals frequently cause noticeable damage due to their size and appetite. Deer are notorious for browsing on flowers, with tulips being a particular favorite. Rabbits are also common culprits, fond of young, tender plants and their flowers, often clipping stems cleanly.
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, incorporate flowers into their diet. Squirrels, while primarily interested in nuts and seeds, will nibble on flowers when other food sources are scarce. Voles and chipmunks, small rodents, consume a variety of flowers and bulbs, including crocus, tulips, and marigolds.
Insects and other invertebrates represent a vast category of flower eaters, often causing significant damage. Aphids, tiny sap-sucking insects, cause stunted growth and distorted leaves. Japanese beetles are voracious feeders that can skeletonize flowers. Caterpillars chew through flowers and foliage.
Slugs and snails are nocturnal pests that leave irregular holes in petals and leaves, often with slime trails. Earwigs also feed on flower petals, creating irregular bites. Thrips suck sap from flowers, leading to disfigured buds. Weevils feed on flowers, creating half-moon shapes in petals and leaves, often at night.
Some birds consume floral parts, though generally less destructively than mammals or insects. Hummingbirds, sunbirds, and honeyeaters feed on nectar. Other birds like finches and sparrows may consume flower buds, petals, or seeds, particularly when other food sources are limited. While some birds eat petals, they often prefer seeds or leaves, or are feeding on insects within the flowers.
Reasons Animals Consume Flowers
Animals are attracted to flowers for several biological and nutritional reasons. Flowers provide essential nutrients, including sugars (primarily nectar) for quick energy. Pollen contains proteins, while petals and other floral tissues provide vitamins and minerals.
Flowers also provide water, especially in arid environments where sources are scarce. Gardens often represent an easily accessible and concentrated food source. Compared to foraging in wild areas, a garden offers a dense supply of palatable plants, reducing the energy expenditure for animals seeking sustenance.
Flower characteristics like color, scent, and structure also guide animals toward them. Bright colors attract visual feeders, while strong scents draw in animals relying on smell. A flower’s physical structure can also provide an easy-to-access platform for feeding or a suitable shape for specialized feeding apparatus, like a hummingbird’s long beak.
Strategies for Protecting Flowers
Protecting flowers involves various preventative measures. Physical barriers are an effective method for deterring many flower-eating animals. Fencing, tailored to the specific animal, can prevent access; for instance, deer fencing may need to be 8-10 feet tall, while rabbit fencing can be 3-5 feet with buried sections to deter burrowing.
Netting or chicken wire can be placed over individual plants or beds for physical exclusion. Cloches offer protection for smaller plants. Raised garden beds also elevate plants out of reach of some ground-dwelling pests.
Repellents work by making flowers less appealing through taste or scent. Commercial repellents often contain ingredients like putrid eggs or hot pepper extracts that create an unpleasant sensory experience. Natural alternatives include diluted vinegar or garlic sprays. Planting strongly scented herbs like lavender or mint around flowers can also deter animals like rabbits and deer, as these plants mask the scent of more attractive blooms. Rotate different types of repellents to prevent animals from becoming accustomed to a single method.
Strategic plant selection involves choosing flower varieties less attractive or more resistant to common flower-eating animals. Some plants possess strong scents, bitter tastes, or thorny textures that deter browsing. Examples of animal-resistant plants include marigolds, lavender, and daffodils, which are generally less favored by deer and rabbits. However, extremely hungry animals may consume even “resistant” plants.
Modifying the garden habitat can help reduce animal damage. Removing potential hiding spots for small animals, such as overgrown brush or debris piles, can make the garden less inviting. Regularly clearing weeds and keeping the garden tidy can also reduce shelter for pests.
Consistent monitoring and early detection of animal activity are important for effective management. Regularly inspecting flowers for signs of damage, such as chewed leaves or missing buds, allows for prompt intervention. Visual inspections should include checking the undersides of leaves and around the base of plants. Keeping a record of observed damage helps identify patterns and responsible animals, enabling more targeted protection strategies.