Daffodils & Gophers

Gophers

• Gophers can quickly decimate a garden. The burrowing rodents are notorious for their feeding habits and for the mounds of soil they leave as evidence of their passing. The animals feed primarily underground, nibbling on roots, tubers and bulbs. Although they are fond of many other spring bulbs, gophers make a wide berth around daffodil bulbs.

Daffodil Bulbs

• Daffodil bulbs contain narcitine and narcicysteine, which are toxic alkaloids. The bulbs' toxins serve as warnings to gophers, rabbits and other animals that may be tempted to take a bite. Animals that take a taste probably do not try again because the bulbs taste bad and the toxins burn their mouths' soft tissues, resulting in great pain.

Uses

• Plant daffodils where you saw evidence of gopher activity or to replace plants that were eaten by gophers. Many gardeners use daffodils to surround and protect other plantings from the pesky mammals. The bulbs also can be planted in a container, which gives the bulbs added protection. Ensure a container used for growing daffodils has holes in its base for water drainage.

Culture

• Proper placement and care is important if you want your daffodils to repel gophers as long as possible. Daffodils grow best in rich, moist but well-draining soil; too much water may cause the bulbs to rot. They grow equally well in full sun and partial shade, and they are perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9.