A groundhog resistant planting in my garden
While many people, young and old alike, are waiting for Punxsutawney Phil to make his annual appearance outside his burrow and predict the timing of the end of winter, I instead remember the plants in my garden that have perished at the teeth of the groundhog who resides in my neighborhood.
So in honor of Groundhog Day, I thought I’d share this unofficial list of groundhog resistant perennials:
Astilbe
Artemesia
Bleeding heart (Dicentra, spectabilis & exemia)
Bluestar (Amsonia)
Bronze Fennel ( Foeniculum Vulgare var. Rubrum)
Catmint (Nepata)
Chives (Allium)
Coreopsis
Coral bells (Heuchera & Hercherella)
Daffodils (Narcissus)
Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
Dianthus
Ferns
Geraniums
Hosta
Iris
Lamb’s Ear (Stachys Byzantina)
Lavender (Lavandula)
Lenten rose (Helleborus)
Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria)
Ornamental grasses
Peony (Paeonia)
Russian sage (Perovskia)
Salvia
Sun drops (Oenothera)
Sweet woodruff (Galium Odoratum)
Thymes (Thymus Vulgaris)
Wild ginger (Asarum)
Yarrow (Achillea)
Have a plant that’s not on this list that is groundhog resistant in your garden? Or, is one or more of these plants groundhog candy in your garden? Either way, I’d love to hear about your experiences.
the groundhogs that live here regularly mow down my astilbe and i have to fence it.
Fern,
I’m sorry to hear that groundhogs are eating your astilbe. Like deer, groundhogs can have appetites that are highly influenced by regional factors. I guess the groundhogs here in my part of CT don’t favor astilbe while your unfortunately do.
What plants are the ground hogs leaving alone in your garden?
Hmmm. Not much!
I’ve noticed they are also fond of lungwort and black-eyed susies. I don’t think they bothered ferns that grow naturally in my garden. And someone (not sure who) periodically chomps on my autumn joy sedum, which is supposed to be deer-resistant.
I guess it’s easier to think of what they DO eat rather than what they don’t!
Fern,
I hear you. Between the deer, rabbits and groundhogs in my garden I’m amazed I have anything that grows and flowers. Sometimes it is very hard to not get discouraged and just throw in the towel and pave over the entire backyard!