Does The Strong Smell Of Fritillaries Actually Keep Pests Away? What You Should Know

It can be quite devastating to see your lovingly cared-for garden almost destroyed overnight by pests such as squirrels, deer, and rabbits. Although cute to look at, these garden visitors will munch on your treasured plants unless you can discover a way to keep them out. Short of putting up really robust fencing, there are certain plants that may just deter these pests thanks to a strong odor that many mammals don't particularly like. While these plants may not keep pests away altogether, at least they generally won't be devoured by hungry squirrels or other animals. One collection of perennial plants that are grown from bulbs and have a strong smell are the Fritillaries.

There are two common types of Fritillaries that you might be familiar with — guinea hen flower (Fritillaria meleagris) and crown imperials (Fritillaria imperialis). Although guinea hen flowers don't have a fragrance, they're not often bothered by squirrels, deer, or rodents. On the other hand, crown imperials have both fragrant flowers and fragrant foliage. For some people, the smell is similar to garlic, while others say it's more like the scent of a fox, or a somewhat musky smell. That's probably why this strong aroma may deter pests like squirrels, rabbits, and even deer. It's also believed that this stunning perennial will chase away destructive garden moles.

To keep pests like squirrels out of your yard, you should note there are certain smells they actually hate, and one of them is garlic. You'll also find that squirrels are deterred by predator smells, such as foxes. This would indicate that planting crown imperial Fritillaries may well help to keep these pests out of your garden, especially if you decide to plant them as a border around your other, more delicate plants. At the very least, your Fritillaries will be able to grow happily and delight you with their pretty blooms undisturbed by browsing animals, making them one of the best underutilized spring bulbs you'll want to add to your garden.

Fritillaria bulbs are best planted in the fall in a sunny spot in your garden, at a depth of around 6 inches. They prefer fertile soil that drains well, but they aren't fussed whether it's clay or loam. These plants are grown as perennials in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8 and can be left in the ground so they can come up again year after year. Come springtime, each bulb will produce a 2-to-3-foot-tall stem with glossy green leaves and a crown of tubular, pendulous flowers in yellow, red, or orange, depending on the cultivar. Of course, people who don't like the smell of garlic might want to be aware that Fritillaries are one of those beautiful plants that could be causing that awful smell in the yard.