A massive blue agave (Agave tequilana) in my yard recently received some trimming. As I started the chore, I started to feel what felt like several stinging needles on my side. When I turned to see what was hurting, I was certain I would see a swarm of ants. It turned out, though, that it was merely the grating agave sap.
You’d think that a gopher would stay away from this kind of dermatitis-causing liquid. Not at all; a hungry gopher will undoubtedly eat an agave (even before the plant is fermented into tequila).
2014-01-14 Update:
Southern Californian Georgie Lee, a contributing reader, contributed some of her own gopher wisdom. She says, “The agave was devoured like an apple,” when she reports that gophers have destroyed her agave.
Aloe (Aloe)
Sadly, I was once more duped into thinking that gophers dislike the sticky sap of aloe. My gophers must not have read the book because they dragged a number of my poor aloe plants all the way to the stump.
Aloe variegata with an unintentional Euphorbia obesa twig sprouting in the right corner.
Onions, Scallions, etc (Allium species)
Many people claim that gophers are discouraged by the pungent smell of onions. Too many other individuals, though, have complained to me that gophers have eaten their onions. I’m placing it in the gopher snack category as a result.
29 October 2013 Update:
According to Dallas, an Idaho-based reader who contributes, gopher food includes potatoes, garlic, and onions.
Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii)
According to some (online) authors, the Butterfly bush is resistant to gophers. I have read numerous tales from others who, nevertheless, also lost their Butterfly bushes to gophers. I must thus include it in this section of the article list.
2014-01-30 Update:
Despite having a severe gopher problem, Tracie Mazlo, one of our contributing readers, says they have had success with Butterfly Bushes.
Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
But I find this completely unbelievable and difficult to comprehend. Seriously, a large, juicy potato ought to be the stuff of root vegetable lovers’ dreams. The potato’s membership in the Nightshade family may have something to do with it. However, I have decided to include potatoes in the list of gopher food.
Updated on October 29, 2013:
Dallas, an Idaho-based contributor reader, has contributed some of his own gopher-potato wisdom. In essence, pocket gophers ruined his potato crop. (His complete text may be seen at the bottom of the page for October 29, 2013 in the comments section). Regards, Dallas.
Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
According to some (online) sources, hydrangea is resistant to gophers. I have read a lot of interesting accounts from others who have lost their Hydrangeas to gophers, though. I must, therefore, include Hydrangea in this section of the list.
Beardtongues (Penstemon)
Penstemon is a gopher-resistant plant, according to what I had read. However, a recent response from a kind reader has persuaded me to transfer this choice to the post’s non-resistant section.
2014-05-04 Update:
One of our readers, Kimberly N, writes: “I wish penstemon was gopher-proof, but mine were definitely not. Within a few weeks of being planted in the fall, all four gallon-size plants disappeared. At least four achillea and two sizable pennisetum were also eaten by the gophers recently. Lavender, epilobium, and myoporum don’t seem to be of interest to them.
Hibiscus:
Despite having a severe gopher problem, Tracie Mazlo, one of our contributing readers, says they have had success using Hibiscus.
New as of June 29, 2016:
One of our readers, Jill Adams, writes: “I have two hibiscus plants, and those tiny bandits also ate those!!! Grrr
Hibiscus is included under “not gopher resistant” because I’ve lately received a couple other recent reports about gophers eating it.
What flowers detest by gophers?
Gophers often avoid daffodils (Narcissus) and the majority of allium, onion, and garlic plants, so you can grow as many of those as you like.
Gopher-repelling plants: Other plants, such as gopher spurge (Euphorbia lathyris), crown imperials, lavender, rosemary, salvia, catmint, oleander, and marigolds, can be used to ward off gophers. Consider using these to create a border around your vegetable garden or flowerbeds. Some of them are also effective mosquito repellents.
Which plants do gophers avoid eating?
How about gophers and euphorbias now that you’ve gotten into a topic on rats and lemons? Euphorbia was chosen to replace some plants that had been eaten or destroyed by gophers since I have a persistent gopher problem and believed it would repel them. ‘Blackbird’ is the cultivar I selected because it’s unique. The 1-gallon plant, however, vanished over night in typical gopher-eating fashion, leaving only a few little, wilted leaves in the earth for the forensic team to examine. Comments?
A: Regrettably, it seems that you have just spent part of your hard-earned money on unambiguous evidence that gophers do consume ‘Blackbird’ euphorbia. Oh well. I looked at pictures and discovered that it is a pretty plant with dark purple foliage.
Your optimism that gophers wouldn’t eat a euphorbia probably came from the plant’s reputation as a gopher deterrent, Euphorbia lathyrus, also known as gopher spurge. All euphorbias have a sap that is “milky” (i.e., white), which can irritate or be toxic to people and other animals.
There is no conclusive proof that even gopher spurge deters gophers from entering gardens because the potency of euphorbias varies, therefore gophers may not consume some varieties.
What then won’t gophers consume? Daffodils and naked women are among the most reliable bets (Amaryllis belladonna). Columbine (aquilegia), artemesia, ceanothus, rock rose (cistus), breath of heaven (coleonema), foxglove (digitalis), lantana, lavender, mimulus, heavenly bamboo (nandina), Indian hawthorn (rhaphiolepis), rosemary, and native or other perennial salvias are some additional plants that frequently appear on “gophers won’t eat” lists. However, keep in mind that animal pests’ feeding preferences are not always predictable. (Any advice, readers?)
Encouragement of the natural predators of gophers and other rodents is another method for lowering their population. Avoiding using any form of poison to kill rodents is the first stage in this process since poisoned rats will kill any predators that consume them.
Because barn owls hunt mostly between one and four miles from their nests, it is advisable to install the nests collectively. (Are there any environmental activists up for a very worthwhile project?) Large numbers of neighborhood gardens could be served by nests in parks or golf courses. Since birds can be noisy, it is actually preferable that they hunt some distance away from people’s homes so that people can sleep. Because the birds are not territorial, a large number of nesting boxes can be gathered together in one location.
What kinds of plants devour gophers?
Gophers are strict herbivores and exclusively consume plants, unlike moles, which are omnivores. They can therefore significantly harm your garden by chewing away at it in addition to creating holes in it. Gophers will devour the plants in your garden in one of three ways:
- eating the roots and other things they can find underneath the soil’s surface.
- stepping out of their tunnels for very little distances in order to collect plants, then returning to their tunnels with them.
- pulling underground flora or plants right into their tunnel.
Gophers are not very discriminating eaters and consume a wide variety of vegetation. They are known to harm agricultural crops, ornamental shrubs, and flowers. The availability of food sources nearby affects what gophers eat. Different gopher populations may consume various vegetation. Additionally, dependent on seasonal availability, gophers will consume various plants at various periods of the year. A gopher’s appetite may also vary depending on the season. Although there are many things you might take into account, gophers typically consume:
- The two plants that gophers enjoy to consume the most are alfalfa and dandelion.
- succulent plant life
- plant and tree roots that are fleshy. For the most part, gophers eat roots throughout the year.
- Bulbs
- like potatoes and sweet potatoes, tubers
- Grasses
- Seeds
- Plants with flowers
- In addition to tree roots, bark
As you can see, gophers may consume a wide variety of foods. It’s one of the reasons it’s challenging to keep them out of your yard. The following plants, according to Penny Pawl, a master gardener who writes a weekly column for the University of California, might deter gophers because they are not tasty to them:
- Nandina
- Week-old lily
- The Nile Lily
- Daylilies
- Salvias
- Hellebores
- community garlic
- Animal flower
- Verbascum
It’s important to note that not all gophers are bad, even though they are typically annoyances. Because they incorporate plant matter and fecal waste into the soil, their actions can assist to boost soil fertility. Their actions maintain the soil’s health and ability to efficiently absorb rainwater. On the other hand, gopher burrows could spread weeds and hurt people or cattle who step within them. Overall, we can understand your aversion to having gophers in your yard. Terminix provides a wide range of services and treatments to assist you in keeping pesky wildlife out of your house. Check to see whether we offer service in your region by starting.
Do gophers consume ornamental plants?
Sadly, many gardeners in Northern California have watched in horror as a beloved plant was dragged underground and vanished right before their eyes as a result of a pocket gopher. This clearly calls for action. Gophers can seriously harm a rose, flower, or vegetable garden if left unchecked, and they can ruin a neatly mowed lawn. They will gnaw down the stems of edible annuals and perennials as well as the roots of fruit trees, shrubs, and vines. Even bigger, fully grown pumpkins have been known to be eaten from the inside out by them after they burrow inside them.
Prevention methods
Poisoning should never be contemplated in a landscape that respects the environment because it can be just as harmful to your pets or raptor birds as it is to gophers. When these underground marauders have taken up residence in your garden, trapping is the most efficient approach to reclaim control. There are choices for live trapping, but be careful not to release your capture too close to your house or in your neighbor’s property. Most frequently, less compassionate methods are chosen, although this is never a pleasant experience and offends many gardeners’ sensibilities.
Barriers work
Fortunately, there are simpler ways to prevent gopher damage in your garden. Grow your plants in raised beds with a double layer of aviary wire, hardware cloth, or galvanized gopher mesh to thwart them. When establishing a new lawn, a barrier made of the same material that is buried 4 to 6 inches beneath the soil can prevent gophers for many years. A gopher-free perennial bed, shrub border, or orchard can be maintained by enclosing all of your prized plants with wire gopher guards. Although labor-intensive, these techniques are all valuable.
Gopher-resistant plants
To create a beautiful, gopher-resistant environment, it is simpler to choose plants that gophers actively avoid than to use deterrent techniques. The average gopher’s least favorite foods include strongly scented perennials like lavender (Lavandula spp. and cvs., Zones 510), most sage (Salvia spp. and cvs., Zones 511), society garlic (Tulbaghia spp. and cvs., Zones 710), and rosemary. However, gophers will nibble almost anything in their path if they are hungry enough (Salvia rosmarinus, Zones 811). Also typically avoided are shrubs like bottlebrush (Callistemon spp. and cvs., Zones 810), oleander (Nerium oleander, Zones 810), and breath of heaven (Coleonema pulchrum, Zones 911). Why not also repel them with swathes of those lovely bloomers? Daffodils and naked ladies (Amaryllis belladonna, Zones 710) are dangerous to gophers, and they naturally avoid them. It is advisable to employ gopher mesh or baskets for tastier, more attractive plants if your garden is prone to gopher decimation and to plant the majority of your garden with gopher-resistant shrubs, trees, bulbs, and perennials. My favorite gopher-proof plants in my garden are the four rough beauties listed below.
Mexican marigold
This bushy, evergreen perennial, which is native to Arizona and Mexico, is the best option for gardens in areas where deer or gophers are a problem or for those challenging locations where irrigation simply won’t work. When touched, the finely cut, dark green leaf releases a strong, musky perfume that is evocative of lemon, mint, and anise. Throughout the year, numerous clusters of small golden-yellow blossoms can be seen, with the winter months offering the most vibrant display. Once established, Mexican marigold grows swiftly to 5 feet high and 7 feet wide, preferring full sun, well-drained soil, and little water. It is a little frost-sensitive but always recovers, and it benefits from a moderate shearing in late winter to encourage new, fresh growth.
Luscious Pinkberry BlendTM lantana
A profusion of blossom clusters in the most delectable hues of pink, pale apricot, and yellow cover the lush mound of fragrant Luscious Pinkberry BlendTM lantana foliage from summer into fall. This delicate, heat-loving perennial, a favorite of hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators, looks magnificent when planted in mass or in diverse combinations in the border. It’s a great option for a hanging basket or container as well. This lantana has beautiful mounding growth and is well-branched. It can tolerate moderate drought and grows quickly in a sunny area, quickly reaching 20 to 24 inches tall and wide. It doesn’t care much about the soil and thrives with summer water that is moderate to mild. Since lantana is susceptible to frost damage, cover it well with mulch before winter and rejuvenate it by cutting it back to the ground by one foot in the early spring.
MakanaTM silver wormwood
This shrub is the ideal complement to its color and texture, growing in a dazzling, lacy, cloudlike pile of feathery silver plumes. Put it in a sunny border where it will draw attention to and enhance neighboring plants. Late spring brings tiny yellow blossoms, but they pale in comparison to the gorgeous, airy clouds of bouquet-worthy leaves. This shrub is an annual in colder climates and a perennial in warmer climates. Deer and gophers avoid it, it swiftly grows to be 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, and it prefers full light and adequate drainage. It can withstand drought as well. To encourage new growth, cut it down to 6 inches above the ground in late winter.
‘Dean’s Hybrid’ spurge
The ‘Dean’s Hybrid’ spurge forms a 24 inch tall and wide mound of finely textured, blue-green foliage. In the spring, it is covered in profusions of bright chartreuse blossoms, and from late summer to early fall, another floral display takes place. This well-behaved, low-maintenance perennial gains additional appeal in the cooler months when the flowers and foliage flame orange. This resilient perennial thrives in full sun, permeable soil, and sporadic summer water once established and is tolerant to neglect. The performance of “Dean’s Hybrid” in containers is comparable to that in the landscape. To revive, trim dried-out bloom stems all the way to the ground, being careful to avoid the caustic milky sap.
In Petaluma, California, Fionuala Campion is the proprietor and manager of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma.
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