Pest-Resistant Bulbs

Deer and squirrels consider tulips a tasty treat – and crocuses are pretty high on the list of delicacies too. However, the bitter taste of daffodils and alliums generally makes them a safe bet, says the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Centre. By planting bulbs that pests don’t like, you will greatly improve a garden’s overall survivability in problem areas.

So if the visiting deer and resident squirrels have enjoyed a meal in your garden this spring, consider these bulbs for your next planting – all are ranked high on beauty and low on pest-appeal.

• Allium, ornamental onion. Blooms late spring to early summer
• Camassia. Blooms late spring
• Chionodoxa, glory of the snow. Blooms late winter, early spring
• Colchicum. Blooms late summer and fall
• Crocus tommasinianus. Blooms late winter, early spring
• Eranthis, winter aconite. Blooms late winter, early spring
• Fritillaria. Blooms mid- to late spring, depending on variety
• Galanthus nivalis, snowdrop. Blooms late winter to early spring.
• Hyacinthoides hispanica, Spanish bluebell. Blooms late spring
• Hacinthus, hyacinth. Blooms mid-spring.
• Ipheion. Blooms early to late spring
• Leucojum, snowflake. Blooms mid- to late spring. (There is also a fall-blooming Leucojum autumnale.)
• Muscari, grape hyacinth. Blooms mid- to late spring
• Narcissus, daffodil. Blooms early to late spring
• Ornithogalum. Blooms early to mid-spring
• Oxalis. Blooms mid-spring to fall
• Scilla. Blooms early spring to early summer.