Squirrels are fun to watch until they start treating your garden like their personal pantry. One day your flower beds look great; the next, you find missing bulbs, chewed vegetables, and little holes scattered across the soil.

If you’re tired of chasing them away or using chemical repellents, certain plants may help make your yard less inviting. Many flowers and herbs have strong scents that people enjoy, but squirrels tend to avoid them, although no plant can guarantee they’ll stay away completely.

Here are some fragrant plants worth adding to your garden if squirrels keep digging and snacking on your flowers.

Hyacinths

Hyacinths bring bright colors and a sweet, strong fragrance to the garden in early spring. Squirrels tend to leave these bulbs alone, making them a good choice for flower beds where other bulbs often get dug up.

Lavender

Lavender is loved for its soothing scent, but that same fragrance may discourage squirrels from spending time nearby. It grows well in sunny spots, needs relatively little care once established, and attracts bees and butterflies.

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley produces small white flowers with a sweet fragrance and does well in shady gardens. Squirrels usually leave the plants alone, making them a popular choice beneath trees and in woodland-style garden beds.

Mint

Mint has a strong smell that may make nearby garden beds less appealing to squirrels. It spreads quickly, so planting it in containers is a good way to enjoy the herb without letting it take over your garden.

Rosemary

Rosemary has a distinct woody scent that makes it a useful addition to herb gardens and flower borders. Snip sprigs for cooking while adding a fragrant plant that may discourage squirrels from getting too close to nearby flowers and vegetables.

Oregano

Oregano is another strong-smelling kitchen herb that squirrels may find unpleasant. It’s easy to grow and can be planted near vegetable beds to make the area less inviting to hungry visitors.

Marigolds

Marigolds are a familiar sight in vegetable gardens, thanks to their bright yellow and orange flowers. Their strong scent may discourage some garden pests, including squirrels, while adding plenty of color through much of the growing season.

Geraniums

Geraniums produce colorful flowers and noticeable scents that squirrels often avoid. They grow well in garden beds, containers, and hanging baskets, so almost any yard has a spot for them.

Alliums

Alliums belong to the same plant family as onions and garlic, and they have a matching scent. Their tall stems and round flower heads add height and color to garden beds, while their scent may help discourage squirrels from investigating nearby plants.

Snowdrops (Galanthus)

Snowdrops are among the first flowers to appear in spring, sometimes blooming while snow is still on the ground. Squirrels generally leave their bulbs alone, making them a good choice for gardeners who have trouble with animals digging up early-season plantings.

Daffodils

Daffodils bring cheerful yellow and white flowers to the garden each spring, and squirrels usually avoid their bulbs. The bulbs and foliage contain natural compounds that make them less appealing to squirrels than tulips and many other spring flowers.

Fritillaries

Fritillaries have unusual-looking flowers and a distinctive smell many gardeners remember. Squirrels and other rodents tend to avoid them, making these plants worth trying in garden beds where digging is a regular problem.

Bleeding Heart

Bleeding hearts are known for their dangling, heart-shaped flowers and their ability to grow in shady areas. Squirrels generally show little interest in them, making them a lovely option for spots where other flowering plants may struggle.

Goldenrod

Goldenrod adds bright yellow flowers in late summer and attracts bees and butterflies. Squirrels tend to leave it alone, so it’s a useful choice for adding seasonal color without giving them another tempting snack.