A groundhog loves my mums. Can I plant something nearby to discourage it?
Melinda: Unfortunately, no plants can actually deter groundhogs from eating flowers or shrubs. You may have heard rumors that gopher spurge (Euphorbia lathyris) repels gophers and moles. This hasn’t been proven to be true, but this spurge is very aggressive, reseeds readily and is considered invasive in a few states.
Using fencing to deter them is challenging, as groundhogs both climb and burrow. Bury the bottom of a fence at least a foot deep or bend the bottom foot of fencing at a 90-degree angle and pin it to the ground. The fence needs to be 3 feet high, with the top 12 to 15 inches bent outward at a 45-degree angle to help keep groundhogs from climbing it. An electric fence mounted on posts with strands 4 inches and 9 inches above the ground is another option that is probably more effective. Look for electric fences at garden centers or online.