Irises are popular garden plants, but they can attract animals seeking food. Understanding which creatures are drawn to irises and the specific types of damage they inflict is key to protecting your garden and preserving their beauty.
Animals That Eat Irises
Deer
Deer occasionally browse on irises, particularly tender new shoots and developing flower buds. Their feeding results in ragged, torn edges on leaves and stems, typically at a higher level. While irises are not a primary food source, deer may target them when other preferred vegetation is scarce, such as during harsh winters or dry summers.
Rabbits
Rabbits consume young iris shoots, leaves, and flowers, sometimes entire small plants. Damage is characterized by clean, angled cuts on stems, usually close to the ground. These animals are especially problematic in early spring when new growth emerges and other food options are limited.
Voles and Gophers
Voles and gophers cause damage primarily underground by feeding on iris rhizomes and roots. Signs of vole activity include wilting plants that can be easily pulled from the soil, as their root systems have been chewed away. Voles may also create small, surface-level runways and entry holes, while gophers pull entire plants below ground.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails are common garden pests that feed on iris leaves and flowers. Their presence is indicated by irregular holes in foliage, often with silvery slime trails. These nocturnal feeders cause the most noticeable damage on lower leaves and new growth, particularly in damp conditions.
Why Animals Are Attracted to Irises
Animals are attracted to irises primarily as an opportunistic food source. When natural forage is limited, such as during droughts or in areas with high animal populations, garden plants become more appealing. The plant’s moisture content can also draw animals, especially in dry periods. The location of a garden, particularly if it borders natural habitats, increases the likelihood of animal visits. While irises are not always a preferred choice, their accessibility in a garden setting can make them vulnerable.
Protecting Your Irises
Protecting irises from animal damage involves a combination of strategies, including physical barriers like fencing or netting to deter larger animals such as deer and rabbits. For underground pests like voles and gophers, plant irises within wire mesh cages or hardware cloth barriers. Repellents, both commercial and homemade, can discourage animals through taste or smell, with some gardeners using strong-smelling substances like jalapeno pepper juice. Modifying the garden habitat by removing dense weeds and debris reduces hiding spots for slugs, snails, and rabbits. Regular monitoring allows for early detection of damage and prompt intervention.
Iris Toxicity
Iris plants contain compounds considered toxic if ingested by animals and humans. The highest concentration of these toxic principles is found in the rhizomes or underground stems. While serious illness is rare, ingestion can cause adverse reactions. Symptoms of iris poisoning in animals include excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation, lethargy, and decreased appetite. If you suspect a pet or any animal has ingested parts of an iris plant, contact a veterinarian immediately for guidance.