Using Snow To Deter Squirrels Digging Up Bulbs

Nothing gets me more frustrated than seeing tulips dug up by squirrels.

Grrr....

Tender yellow shoots emerging from the ground must be a thrill for the squirrel after a long harsh winter. Although, once they get the taste of the shoots, they continue to dig down and go for the bulb.

What bothers me more...is finding these half eaten green bits all about. At least eat everything if you're going to destroy the plant. Grrrr....

Even though this process is slightly redundant, that heap of snow you have at the side of the drive or in that shaded corner - well, it can be quite useful.

It will buy you a day or two of time, so that the squirrels become frustrated and move on - elsewhere.

Fill in the dug up areas, add some cayenne pepper or netting if you prefer and then cover the tulips with snow. Will give you a chance to come up with other ideas to ward off those pesky squirrels.

Depending on how warm it gets, you'll have to decide whether this process is worth the effort.  At least the slow melting will give the area adequate moisture to help make the tulips pop up more rapidly.

To us, it was...

Snow on top is like leaving a sign that says - take a hike!

I sure don't want to miss out on this display:

(with a Happy Dance, as spring is 3 days away)

The Dead of Winter - Part Two

Part two: More plants that offer interest in the dead of winter...continuation of Part One.

Corylus avellana 'Contorta' - Corkscrew Hazel 
 My photo does not do this Hazel justice. The zig-zag and twisted stems are just so visually interesting, you can't help but gaze at it's growth habit. Once mature, the shrub will bear catkins and give more visual interests in winter.

Hydrangea anomala petioliaris - Climbing Hydrangea
Like its shrub counterparts, this vine holds its flower heads over winter, and they stand away from the walls it adheres to. The snow sits and adds real texture to your wall or fence.

Euonymus fortunei 'coloratus' - Wintercreeper Euonymus
This is one of my favourite ground covers. I picked it for its fall colouration that lasts throughout the winter. Unlike english ivy and pachysandra, this ground cover brings colour to the ground in the dead of winter. 

Anemone x hybrida - Snow Drop Anemone
When maturing overwinter, these seed heads open and release their fluff. This fluff catches your eye, and also provides bedding for birds nests in the spring. Quite lovely seeing this in the garden. Great paired with Rudbeckia seed heads.

Cornus sericea - Red Osier Dogwood
Every garden should have this as a background plant. Pruning and thinning of branches gives a great resource to empty winter containers. The bright red stems just add great accents to the container and to the landscape.

Yucca filamentosa - Adams Needle Yucca
A tropical feel poking through snow. I love yuccas. They need to be thinned out every few years, but there's nothing more beautiful, then to see green, healthy and rigid stems still remaining when everything like it goes brown and dormant. 

More to come...

Winter has arrived!

Yay, finally snow that isn't just a dusting!






I am hoping this will last and give the ground a good layer of protection and some more moisture.

 



Global warming....nah - I don't think so!