DATE:   10/28/99
WRITER: Bob Polomski, (864) 656-2406,
EDITOR: Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876

Choosing "Critter Resistant" Bulbs
     
     Q. Are there bulbs besides daffodils and autumn crocuses
that are not readily eaten by squirrels, chipmunks, voles, and
other "critters"?
     A. You have many bulbs to choose from. All of the following 
resist attack:
     Common hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis), glory-of-the-snow
(Chionodoxa sp.), tommies (Crocus tommasinianus), crown imperial
(Fritillaria imperialis), dogtoothed violet (Erythronium sp.),
grape hyacinth (Muscari sp.), Grecian windflower (Anemone
blanda), ipheion, Iris reticulata, ixiolirion, ornamental onions
(Allium sp.), Ornithogalum nutans, puschkinia, scilla, snowdrop
(Galanthus sp.), snowflake (Leucojum sp.), Spanish bluebell
(Hyacinthoides hispanica), and winter aconite (Eranthis
hiemalis). 
     Be mindful, however, that extremely hungry animals will eat
almost anything.
     To protect bulbs from voles, cover the bulbs with heavy «
inch, wire mesh screening that allows the shoots to grow through.
Dig down about 10 to 12 inches and spread the mesh across the
bottom, up the sides, and over the top.
     A simpler technique that offers less protection is to spread
a handful of sharp, crushed, grape-sized gravel around the bulbs
at planting. 
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     If you have questions or comments on gardening-related
issues, write to PSA Media Relations, Box 340129, A-101 Poole
Agricultural Center, Clemson University, Clemson, S. C.
     You might also want to look for other "Buds and Blooms"
columns under 1999 News Releases at : www.clemson.edu/agcomm  or
the Home & Garden Information Center: (http://hgic.clemson.edu) .
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