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Deer Proof Plants For Your Garden
By Eliza Bicknell of Lotus Petal Yoga
For those of us that live in a suburban area or a mountain area learning to live with the native wildlife is par for the course. For the most part we can live in harmony with the critters that share our gardens and derive much enjoyment from seeing them there. Deer, however, can cause irreparable damage to gardens and be the source or some serious headaches in the process. As a mountain homeowner, I have spent hundreds of dollars year after year on various plants and tactics in order to keep deer out of my yard and from destroying my flowers and plants. They come in under cover of night and immediately devour what new delicacies have appeared since their last visit, taking the greatest pleasure, I am sure in nipping off the almost open buds of tomorrows blossoms. It seems to be a never ending battle, one that I am determined to win. Aside from building an 8 foot + high fence (deer can leap a 6 foot high fence with ease) surrounding your entire property, which would work but is very costly and possibly unsightly, there are numerous other options. Most of these options I have tried and I present just one option here - 'deer proof' plants. Much has been written about what plants can be used to lessen the impact of deer in your garden. Long lists of plants that deer supposedly do not like to eat are often cited. I have personally purchased and planted almost all of the plants on those long lists with minimal to no success.
Deer, I have found, will eat almost anything, especially when hungry, even the cactus I had hoped would deter them. Here is a list, which I, through trial and error, have found to be the least bothered by deer. I am in a mountain region in Colorado so the deer we have problems with here are mule deer though the plants I am told will be unpleasant and not as frequently eaten by the white tailed deer common along the east coast of the United States as well. Native plants growing in their native habitats may be less appealing to deer than highly fertilized and highly watered Garden plants. The best ‘deer proof’ plants in general are those with the strongest fragrance. Shrubs
Sage (spp) especially Russian sage which is very fragrant
Yucca (spp) All yucca with a sharp, stiff point
lead plant (Amorpha canescens)
potentilla (typical cinquefoils)
Austrian copper rose (Rosa foetida)
Quince ( Cydonia oblonga)
'Blue Mist' spirea (Caryopteris)
winged euonymus (Euonymus alatus)
golden currant ( Ribes aureum)
lilacs (spp)
Pyracantha (spp)
Ground Covers
Oregon grape holly ( Mahonia aquifolium)
Prostrate Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis Prostratus)
Perennials
Bearded Iris (Iris spp)
Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Spined Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia spp)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Angel Trumpet (Datura spp )
Bouncing Bet / Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)
Mint (Metha piperia)
Flowers
Larkspurs (Delphinium consolida)
Marigolds (Tagetes spp)
Periwinkles (Catharanthus roseus)
Zinnias (Zinnia spp)
Spider Flower (Cleome Hassleran)
Geranium (spp) native, wild variety is best.
Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa and Monarda didyma) |
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PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
 | | jlwinther recommended this intel. Mar 16, 2011 |
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We have deer in our yard frequently. There are definitely plants that they don't favor. I've been careful about what I use in the yard and so far, so good. Great info!
Deer are gorgeous animals Aliza, but they can destroy your gardens in a single night.
Thank you for sharing.
Best wishes.
Frederick
For the past 5 years, we've watched the deer destroy the hosta, which lines our 200 foot driveway ... they really like those tender buds. They also eat young rose bush shoots, so thank you for the list of deer resistant plants. We need them.
Eliza, we found only one solution to the deer marauders. We got dogs. They are fenced in so that they can't hurt the deer, but they do scare them away and our garden stays safe.
Hi LotusPetal, Thanks for this intel. We have a great problem with deer eating almost everything and I agree that planting deer resistant plants is the best answer. Your suggestion list is going to be very helpful. I hope you're happy and healthy and enjoying this school year.
Best, Jen
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