I have a "squirrel freeway" through my backyard, so I know of the damage that they can do. I've had them tear up and dig up many things, heuchera included. This year, they shredded up one of my hostas, ate and shredded my newly planted spikemoss, and even dug up some of my sedum. They also eat many of my bulbs every year; especially tulips. I don't think they're partial to heuchera, though. They seem to do damage to lots of stuff straight across the board. It could be that they're attracted to a certain area in your yard, as opposed to liking that particular plant. I did read once that rabbits like to eat heuchera, so it stands to reason that squirrels (being rodents) might find them tasty as well.

There is a squirrel deterrant spray that you can buy. Probably a lot like deer repellant. I've never used it, though. I find the best squirrel deterrant I have is my dog! She hates them and they know it. Ever since I got her, they tend to spend less time hanging around.

This post was edited by flower-frenzy on Mon, May 12, 14 at 1:57

The damage is significantly worse in the heuchera bed in back, than in front under the hosta. Stupid me, feeds the birds in the back yard, which really means I feed squirrels and it's my own fault! I run a buffet.

Somewhere on this club site I read that sprinkling a little cayenne pepper around the base of the Heuchera will deter the squirrels! Maybe whoever it was will update you. I have squirrels on my place (about 4 so far) but there is bird food around so they don't bother my Heuchs (so far) but I am getting some cayenne pepper just in case. I have Heuchs both in pots and in the ground.

I've never tried cayenne to deter the squirrels, but it does work nicely to keep my neighbors' cat "Chaos" from pooping in my flower beds. I'm going to try it in my pots. The squirrels seem to favor digging in them.

People laugh at me but I made an agreement with my city squirrels to feed them in exchange for them leaving my garden alone. I buy sunflower seeds for them and occasionally nuts.

It works and for me is well worth the cost of buying them sunflower seeds.

We've fed the squirrels for the twenty years we've lived in this house and never had any damage to house or garden. It always baffles me when I read such posts...

My wife feeds the squirrels and they have not damaged any plants. But, the rabbits are eating my Marigolds. Do rabbits go for Heuchs?

Those of you who've never had problems with squirrel damage should definitely count your blessings! I think they're so cute and used to love to watch them, but now have mixed emotions about them. It sounds like the key may be offering them an alternate food source.

HH-I've never known rabbits to go for heuchs when there are other tastier treats available. They've eaten my hostas and even my bearded irises, but never my heuchies. I have read, however, that rabbits will eat heuchera...so you may want to keep an eye out for nibbles.

This post was edited by flower-frenzy on Thu, May 29, 14 at 21:21

My neighbors feed peanuts to the squirrels and they haven't bothered my Heucheras, but they do eat the Helenium anyway. I'm glad that some folks don't have a problem with them, but I am really tired of finding peanuts all over my yard. I sing "Found a peanut" all the day long.

Check out this link. I have had success using Liquid Fence repellant for deer and it looks like the company is developing a product to repel squirrels.
http://blog.liquidfence.com/2013/05/06/whats-the-word-on-squirrel-repellent/
Cheryl

The rabbits around here absolutely LOVE my Southern Comfort, had to cage it to save it.

I use Messina deer repellent and have not had trouble with critters. They do have squirrel repellent as well. It doesn't smell as bad as other repellents.

The squirrels replant bulbs in my yard and beyond. I have noticed some of my gladiolus growing in the neighbor's yard. They decapitate the tulips, but don't eat the blossoms. Are they drinking from the stems? I find piles of camellia petals far, far from the camellia shrubs. I have had some heuchera disappear altogether. Bunnies are late winter desperation shrub munchers. In all but the coldest months, however, I find that the compost pile helps. I call it the bunny feeding station. Yum, yum, celery leaves, cabbage cores and carrot tops. The squirrels like corn cobs.

We had a harsh winter though and the numbers of squirrels and bunnies are way down.

The destruction is annoying, but I would miss them if they were gone.