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Avatar for peonyplan
Apr 8, 2024 4:07 PM CST
Thread OP
chicago, illinois (Zone 6a)
There are a few feral/stray cats in my neighborhood which I just moved into last year. One of the peonies I planted last fall just sent out a shoot last Monday and was about one inch out of the ground Saturday when I last saw it. Then on Sunday morning, I was surprised that it was gone! Upon checking, a small hole was dug around the peony shoot about one inch into the ground and it appeared that an animal destroyed the shoot. It was snapped at the bottom of the small hole and chewed into several pieces nearby. Apparently the animal didn't eat the peony shoot but just destroyed it in the worst manner.

I highly suspect it was a cat as there are several of those stray/feral cats active in the neighborhood. If it was a skunk (though I haven't seen one), it probably would have eaten the shoot instead of just digging and chewing and left the pieces behind?

Some of you folks probably had similar problem before? What can I do to protect peony shoots from being eaten by animals? It'd be great if you can share what type of animal and what method was successful!
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Apr 8, 2024 4:12 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Liz Best
Columbiana Alabama (Zone 8a)
Annuals Winter Sowing Plant and/or Seed Trader Peonies Lilies Irises
Hummingbirder Dragonflies Dog Lover Daylilies Bee Lover Birds
The only thing I've had actually eat or partially eat a peony is a deer. They'll eat anything when they're hungry enough. I have had damage done by turkeys, they'll dig around the soil looking for insects and break stems off. Could yours be something like that?
Avatar for graycrna4u
Apr 8, 2024 5:01 PM CST
Name: Gary Ray
Ohio (Zone 6a)
Consider voles.
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Apr 9, 2024 1:56 AM CST
Moderator
Name: LG
Nashvillle (Zone 7b)
Butterflies Garden Photography Hostas Hummingbirder Peonies Region: Tennessee
Forum moderator
That's so sad. There are plenty of critters that will cut peony stems but not eat them. I would consider some chicken wire around them.
LG - My garden grows with love and a lot of hard work.
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Apr 12, 2024 12:49 PM CST
Name: Valerie
Ontario, Canada (Zone 4b)
Region: Canadian Peonies Irises Daylilies Hybridizer Bulbs
Seller of Garden Stuff Plant and/or Seed Trader Bee Lover Birds Keeper of Koi
I've had rabbits and ground hogs test out new peony noses to see how edible they are. Fortunately they've realized that these shoots are just not the best things in the garden to eat and don't usually do it again. Of course any of their relatives might also come over to test the potential 'salads' you are growing so the problem may continue Sad Unfortunately even the birds can trash a clump of fragile new noses (males fighting at mating time) so our peonies are never really safe. How much do you want a garden covered in wire netting? D'Oh! I have too many and scattered peonies so not practical - the peonies are not killed and will live to bloom another year. Grow lots so there will always be peonies to avoid the foraging and bloom Rolling on the floor laughing
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Apr 12, 2024 1:01 PM CST
Name: Zoë
Albuquerque NM, Elev 5310 ft (Zone 7b)
Bee Lover Salvias Region: New Mexico Herbs Container Gardener Composter
Cat Lover Butterflies Bookworm Birds Enjoys or suffers hot summers
Bummer. Around here skunks dig around the bases of plants for grubs. One might have "tasted" the sprout as described above.

In my experience, cats spray, poop, roll in catnip and chew grass, but what you're describing sounds like a different critter. I concur re chicken wire or you could try a heavy sprinkling of cayenne.
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Apr 12, 2024 3:48 PM CST
Name: Caroline Scott
Red Deer, Alberta (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
A spray of cedar oil makes things bitter for critters. Here there is a hare which bites off the daffodil buds. It stopped after the spray was done.
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Jun 9, 2024 6:19 PM CST
Name: Caroline Scott
Red Deer, Alberta (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
That hare also bit off some peony shoots!
But the vole problem has subsided for now.
A couple down the lane from me who have an open compost and grow one of the best vegetable gardens ….are experiencing holes in the compost and garden. They are setting traps.
My problem this week is that we have restrictions on watering.
No outdoor watering except from rain barrels.
A main pipe from the treatment plant to the city has a major break and leaked. One community is flooded. The rest of us must conserve tap water.
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Jun 13, 2024 7:07 PM CST
Moderator
Name: LG
Nashvillle (Zone 7b)
Butterflies Garden Photography Hostas Hummingbirder Peonies Region: Tennessee
Forum moderator
Oh Caroline, you are having a time of it this year!
LG - My garden grows with love and a lot of hard work.
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Jun 14, 2024 6:54 PM CST
Name: Caroline Scott
Red Deer, Alberta (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
I am. Now I have committed to moving nearer to my younger daughter .
The water situation here is going from bad to worse. I have rain barrels out ,but no rain to fill them.

The good thing is that I may be able to get a new place which is less shaded and more conducive to peony growing.
One good thing is the three peony trees which I got at Adelmans in the late fall of 2022 and planted in spring of 2023 are with me. I am going to dig them up and take them on this move.
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Jun 17, 2024 6:57 AM CST
Moderator
Name: LG
Nashvillle (Zone 7b)
Butterflies Garden Photography Hostas Hummingbirder Peonies Region: Tennessee
Forum moderator
That's exciting news Caroline. Have you already found your new home?
Take as much as you can with you. You won't regret it. Please keep us updated.
LG - My garden grows with love and a lot of hard work.
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Jun 20, 2024 7:00 PM CST
Name: Caroline Scott
Red Deer, Alberta (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
No I have not found my new home as I need to sell this one first.
Just really at the start of this process which is both scary and exciting for me. I have lived in the same house on the same street corner for 52 years.
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Jun 21, 2024 6:52 AM CST
Moderator
Name: LG
Nashvillle (Zone 7b)
Butterflies Garden Photography Hostas Hummingbirder Peonies Region: Tennessee
Forum moderator
I hope you will be able to get rid of stuff as you pack to move. It will make it easier.

It's exciting to contemplate a new place. Good luck with it!
LG - My garden grows with love and a lot of hard work.
Last edited by Mieko2 Jun 23, 2024 2:51 AM Icon for preview
Avatar for graycrna4u
Jun 21, 2024 4:21 PM CST
Name: Gary Ray
Ohio (Zone 6a)
Embrace change as a positive thing, and then garden like a rockstar!
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Jul 4, 2024 8:03 AM CST
Name: Caroline Scott
Red Deer, Alberta (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
Thank you for the encouragement!
Still in the early stages here.
Weather has done a number on the garden….mostly the long awaited rain encourages the weeds and damages the peony blossoms.
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Jul 4, 2024 9:37 PM CST
Name: Anya
Fairbanks, AK (Zone 3a)
Cat Lover
Oh, no! Rain does damage peonies! We had a very hot weather for quite some time and many peonies opened. Now the rain took over and I am afraid not many peonies will survive it. I will post photos of what was before rain once I have time. Too many to post Smiling
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