For the life of me I can't figure this one out. I had a Gardenia(actually 2) that were shaped like a full tree. This happened to it in a matter of 2 days. The flowers are gone and the small branches look like they have been pruned. It is on my back porch which is enclosed with a railing and gate. It also has gotton my Passiflora twice. Nothing left of the plant except 3 stubs. The stubs were about 6 inches tall and overnight eaten to the soil.
I had that happen to my Coneflowers two years in a row, all the flowers gone overnight, although the plants were not damaged.
The best we have figured out is Raccoons, there are some around and they can do just about anything.
Sorry about your shrub.
No raccoons around here. I was thinking maybe some kind of grasshopper or a rabbit?
The rabbits I am not sure would eat them, Wharton is lo on deer population too, but I noticed the deer have taken up residence in the yard here, and I think are searching for water-plants provide that moisture when none else is around. Rabbits leave scat- little balls of poo while they eat, did you see any on the porch?
Deer is a possibility, rabbits could not climb that high.
Deer thinking here too, If they can see to jump, they will.
OK...after much pondering and thinking I came to the conclusion it is rabbits. A lot of acreage next to me was recently purchased and cleared.(thank goodness only being used for pasture for cows) Suddenly I noted about 6 or so rabbits in the early evening on my property. And they are cute too! Rabbits can definately get between the railings onto the deck. The tall Gardenia was next to a chair, easy enough for a rabbit to hop onto and chomp away. The other 3 Gardenias that got eatten were in pots right on the ground. I have 6 other Gardenias( all grown from cuttings) on higher shelves which never got touched. The passifloria was also easy access to a rabbit. I have chickens so there is water around for the bunnies too. I guess Cleo my cat will be staying outside on the deck for awhile. hee hee hee
that or just throw out the broccoli stems and feed up fat... yum
