Hello Gardeners. The Question of the Week!
I had a question from Alyssa regarding what to plant to deter rodents from her garden and do well in clay soil.
Plants that emit strong or unpleasant odours are often effective natural repellents for rodents. Additionally, some plants thrive in clay soils, one of the most challenging conditions for gardeners. Clay soil tends to be dense and wet in the spring and is heavy, sticky, and difficult to work in. In the summer, it can become dry and hard. Clay soil gets a back rap because it’s hard for people to work. However, some plants love clay soil.
Plants That Deter Rodents and Do Well in Clay Soil
Flowering Shrubs that Thrive in Clay
Elderberry (Sambucus) is a beautiful flowering shrub with large creamy white lacey flowers in late spring loved by bees and honey pollinators, followed by dark purple to black berries in late summer. Berries are edible, but all other shrub parts are poisonous, which will deter rodents.
Wintergreen (Gaultheria) is a cold-hardy ground cover that offers white blooms that mature to red berries. It is an idea for any shady spot. Rodents do not like the essential oils produced by this plant.
Perennials that Thrive in Clay
Pincushion Spurge (Euphorbia) is a low-maintenance, easy-care, critter-proof perennial with mounding foliage and eye-catching flowers. It is happy growing in moist or marshy ground. However, the sap is nasty-tasting for both humans and rodents.
Catmint (Nepeta) is loved by cats; however, most other critters don’t like it. If you are looking for a tough perennial that will bloom for months, catmint will make you purr with delight. Soft foliage with clusters of flower on tall stems that will sway in the wind.
Ornamental Onion (Allium) is a spring flowering bulb or summer flowering mounding plant with unique, spikey flowerheads. Bulb forms come in a range of colours. The strong odour of the plants repels rodents.
Garden Herb Sage (Salvia) is a common kitchen herb with very fragrant foliage. Sage contains oils that rodents don’t like, making it perfect for repelling them. Plant in raised beds, garden borders, or patio containers where mice might enter your home.
Beebalm (Monarda) bursts with vibrant blooms that attract pollinators and hummingbirds to your yard. Striking, unique tubular flowerheads are held on tall stems in late summer. Leaves have a strong mint smell that will repel mice.
Giant Hyssop (Agastache) is a plant that deters rodents. It is resistant to deer and rabbits; however, it attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The plant has a long blooming period, and its foliage emits a licorice scent that repels critters. It thrives in clay soil conditions.
Wormwood (Artemisia) most wormwood are foliage plants that grow well in clay soils as long as the soil is well-draining. Wormwood is excellent for creating background interest with soft textured silver foliage. Foliage is aromatic and, when planted as borders in your garden, will deter rodents, deer, and rabbits.
Lilly-of-the-Valley (Convallaria) a perennial ground cover, is toxic to rodents and pests. Lilly-of-the-valley is a slow-creeping ground cover that will, over time, spread to fill a large area. Scooping tiny, delicate blooms in spring are fragrant, with upright green foliage. Even deer will not nibble on the leaves and flowers.
Lavender (Lavandula) a short-lived perennial, can repel rodents like rats and mice. The strong lavender scent contains essential oils that are unpleasant to rodents but loved by humans. Upright flower spikes are held above grey-green foliage. Lavender is a small, compact shrub that can reach up to three feet in height and width. Flowers in summer with a spicy, calming scent.
All of the above perennials will naturally thrive in clay soils and come in various colours and heights for your garden. Please note: perennials will tolerate clay soils but don’t like their roots wet for too long. Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings rather than keeping it too wet.
Flowering Bulbs that Thrive in Clay
Daffodils (Narcissus) don’t let the pretty yellow flowers of this spring flowering bulb fool you. They can repel rodents because they are poisonous when eaten.
Grape Hyacinth (Muscari) is a mid-spring blooming bulb with fragrant, deep violet-blue, bell-shaped flowers that look like a bunch of grapes upside down. They have a low toxicity level however, if ingested, they may cause gastro upset, so they don’t tend to be eaten by rodents.
Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) have pure white bell-shaped flowers that emerge and bloom as the snow melts. Rodents will avoid snowdrop bulbs as they have a nasty taste.
Fritillaria (Fritillaira) bulbs have a stinky, skunk-like odour that repels rodents and deer. The stunning bell-shaped flowers hang upside down in vibrant orange, red, and yellow on a stem about 40-44 inches tall. They bloom for two to three weeks in mid to late spring. They are only hardy to Zone 5.
The best of luck with your rodents. You-dirty-rat!
Lexi Dearborn