Flower buds are favorites deer will eat almost anything in spring tender new growth taste preferences vary from deer to deer and season to season. Our compiled list was sent to over 400 nurserymen, educators, naturalists and garden enthusiasts asking whether or not they found any of the plants to be left alone by deer. Seeing this, and having heard several warnings about deer eating crops, it was apparent that they would be an issue with regards to growing anything edible, so my wife emma and i checked out some lists of deerresistant plants. Disclaimer despite the title, there are no completely deer resistanttolerant plant. These are the first plants deer will seek to feed upon. Deer resistant plants only poisonous plants are completely deerproof. That means they eat browse, on the growing tips of shrubs, trees, and other plants.
Although a deer proof fence is the best insurance against deer damage, landscaping with deer resistant plants is a more. Unlike hostas or tulips,the plants listed here are. Additionally, landscaped plants are often more attractive to deer because they are fertilized and irrigated. Deer resistant plants arkansas deer resistant plants. Deer damage to ornamental plants is associated with a variety of factors including increasing numbers of deer, human population shifts to rural and suburban areas, and landowners prohibiting deer hunting. Arkansas gardeners love to plant a variety of flowers and trees but often deer love these plants just as much as we do. Threadleaf bluestar antennaria plantaginifolia pussy toes. Keep in mind that in a bad season, deer may feast on plants on this list.
They recommend the best plants for thirty tough garden sites, such as dry shade, slopes, lakeshores, etc. Deer prefer to feed on certain plant species, including some ornamental plants used for landscaping. Diets of these animals will change with wild food availability and yearly rainfall and. A 68 deerproof fence is the best insurance against damage but will only send the deer into your neighbors yards, which doesnt solve the problem. Deer resistant shrubs and trees both native and non native species to virginia compiled by carrie whitacre for the state arboretum of virginia whitetailed deer are responsible for a great deal of landscape destruction. Deer resistant plants for central oregon below is a list of plants that tend to be more deer resistant. Many species that are unattractive to deer when other browse is plentiful become deer candy when food is in short supply. The plants that are listed here have shown resistance to deer. Does well in full sun, part sun, shade, wet or dry soils. But there are plants that thrive in the shade that arent tempting to hungry deer. If hungry enough, deer will eat almost everything else. Deer resistant plants for western washington type common name scientific name trees ash fraxinus trees cedar cedrus trees cypress cupressus trees douglas fir. Although its impossible to make a backyard completely deerproof, you can fill it with plants deer hate. However, the most natural and easiest way would be to build a garden with highly deer resistant planting.
If there is one thing gardeners have in common, it is the need to ward off unwelcome wildlife. Deerresistant does not mean deerproof, and even the plants on this list will get nibbled on from time to time. The plants on this list are seldom eaten or damaged beyond repair by deer. Something new in the garden and new soft growth will be a taste treat, so new plantings may be sampled, but not eaten to the ground. I would prefer they be the same, deer resistant, around 56 feet tall max and flowering at some point in the year. Deer resistant plants only poisonous plants are completely deer proof. The following is a list of landscape plants rated according to their resistance to deer. Deer resistant native plants university of new hampshire. The following is an incomplete list of deer resistant plants or plants that deer dont normally prefer to eat. Deer resistant plants msu college of agriculture and natural. Habitat modification selecting plants that are less preferred by deer can reduce the amount of. If you have plants in your garden that have not been feasted upon by deer, please share them with us. These plants tend to be resistant to rabbits as well.
Deer resistant plants for central oregon oregon state university deer resistant plants for central oregon. Most of these perennials, shrubs and flower bulbs have the added benefit of being very fragrant. Deerresistant means deer are less likely to eat a particular plant. One of the easiest ways to reduce deer damage in your yard is to landscape with plants deer prefer not to eat. From the return responses, we compiled the following list, which represents the top picks of good landscape plants that are resistant or minimally damaged. A statebystate guide to deer resistant plants the spruce. Below is a list of plants that tend to be more deer resistant. In areas where high populations of deer have overbrowsed the woodland understory. Anise hyssop agastache foeniculum upright perennial with mintylicorice scent and blue flowers in late. Flowers red or maroon in april for a month or longer. The following list includes best bets for keeping deer disinterested. Our selection of deer resistant plants are unappetizing to those curious critters, allowing you to create eyecatching displays throughout your garden and on your porches and patios, knowing the leaves and flowers will be able to reach their full stunning potential.
Deer resistant means deer are less likely to eat a particular plant. Although no plant can be considered completely deer resistant, heres a list of shade dwellers that most deer avoid. Deer resistant plants less expensive and effective long term deer prefer fertilized and irrigated plants. Deer resistant plants for the pacific northwest it may seem like a gardeners paradise, but the pacific northwest is filled with challenges from giant slugs to hungry deer. Native deer resistant plants gardeners challenged by browsing deer often look for a definitive list of plants that deer will leave alone. Deer browsing depends upon the available food source for that year, time of year, location, deer species, and simple curiosity. Consider several plants with varying strong scents planted around the deers usual pathway to your property, and as a perimeter around other plants as a possible protectivedeterrent strategy. By interplanting them with plants that deer do like, you can help to repel deer from eating plants that you both consider desirable. Good companion plants that repel by smell deer generally dont like the scents of the following plants. One of our favorite deer resistant perennials are bleeding hearts lamprocapnos spectabilis, aka dicentra spectabilis. Realizing that no plant is deer proof, plants in the rarely damaged, and seldom severely damaged categories would be best for landscapes prone to deer. Deerresistance is a relative term and will vary with the number of deer in an area, other food available, and time of year. Plants with thorny or prickly leaves or stems plants with strong scents and pungent tastes, such as herbs plants that are poisonous or produce thick. Deer resistant plants deer proof perennials high country.
Deerresistant plants for central oregon below is a list of plants that tend to be more deerresistant. Clethra alnifolia coastal sweet pepperbush is deciduous, grows to 6 to 12 feet and has showy flowers. Astilbe are also deerresistant plants that grow well in shade. C063 p a g e 2 adapted from washington department fish and wildlife and backyard wildlife sanctuary program. Our selection of deerresistant plants are unappetizing to those curious critters, allowing you to create eyecatching displays throughout your garden and on your porches and patios, knowing the leaves and flowers will be able to reach their full stunning potential. This is because deer food preferences vary depending on what else is available to eat at any particular time and location. Deer resistant vegetation is a key to successful gardening in modern maryland, but lists of what plants are deer resistant vary so much they are sometimes in direct contradiction with one another. Aug 22, 2018 edge of the woods nursery in pennsylvania has a list of deer tolerant plants nothing is deer proof that includes these shrubs.
Although a deerproof fence is the best insurance against deer damage, landscaping with deerresistant plants is a more. When deer are given a choice,they will usually opt for an alternative to the plants listed here. Deer may sample some less palatable plants until they determine the plants are varieties they do not prefer. The best plants for 30 tough sites university of minnesota. If a deer is hungry enough, almost any plant is fair game. Deer resistant does not mean deer proof, and even the plants on this list will get nibbled on from time to time. Other more deer resistant plants include evergreen and deciduous shrubs, vines and groundcovers. Deer resistant native plants these plants were found to resist deer brows during a three year study in wildwood missouri. Deer resistance is a relative term and will vary with the number of deer in an area, other food available, and time of year. Overall, deer tend to avoid plants that have hairy leaves, thorns, or strong smells. Deer and rabbit resistant plants publication az1237 72001 although deer and rabbits are entertaining to watch, they can also do considerable damage to landscape and garden plants. I would like to know what time of year to plant them as well.
A list of deer resistant plants for the garden compiled by master gardener frank m. Deer resistant native plants list university of maryland. Using landscape plants not preferred by deer is one way to prevent or at least lessen damage. Unlike hostas or tulips,the plants listed here are usually not. Landscape plants rated by deer resistance rutgers njaes. The following list represents plants that deer and rabbits usually will not eat. Individual tree protectors woven wire, plastic cylinders, plastic netting, or plastic wrap can be useful for protecting young trees. Danforth this list has been compiled from several sources with the understanding that deer, if starved or in great. Best deer resistant which landscape plants do deer avoid.
For a natural look, this deerresistant wildflower mix is great, otherwise check out the suggestions below. Dirca palustris eastern leatherwood is deciduous, 3 to 6 feet and has showy flowers that last a long time. Deerresistant plants and trees that are edible the. Common characteristics of plants that deer prefer not to eat include.
This bulletin provides recommendations from master gardeners from the university of minnesota extension service. Blooms in late summer with white, pink, lavender, purple with silver, green and yellow foliage varieties. Deer have preferences for feeding on certain plant species. Since deer have small home ranges, they may become habituated and develop a preference for the fertilized gardens, flowers, shrubs, or trees on your property, rather than natural vegetation in the. The following is a list of landscape plants rated according to their resistance to deer damage. Also includes lists of plants with special traits such as selfseeding, longblooming, minimal litter trees, and more. Deer resistant does not mean deer proof, and even the.
Threadleaf bluestar antennaria plantaginifolia pussy toes apocynum cannabinum indian hemp, dogbane. Deer do not really like plants with a strong scent, thick or leathery leaves, or fuzzy, bristly, or spiny textures. The list was compiled with input from nursery and landscape professionals, rutgers new jersey agricultural experiment station njaes cooperative extension personnel, and rutgers master gardeners in northern new jersey. Put an end to the latter in your yard with these plants. Mule deer and whitetail deer in eastern washington are browsers. Deerresistant plants the following is a list of plants that have been identified as deerresistant. Plants with stronglyscented foliage may therefore act to deter deer from an area. Examples would be hostas or tulips, which taste like candy to a deer and almost always eaten when deer are present. A recommended list of deer resistant plants many citizens have been asking the town about deerresistant plants that they can use in their landscaping.
Rodewald, assistant professor of wildlife ecology and extension wildlife specialist haystacks. Trees deodara cedar cedrus deodara dogwood cornus florida. Yarrow aconitum uncinatum monkshood actaea pachypoda white baneberry agastache scrophulariifolia purple giant hyssop ageratina altissima white snakeroot allium cernuum nodding onion amsonia spp. Since a starving deer will eat anything to stay alive, no plant is guaranteed. Top deerresistant plants for your region better homes. Conflicts between deer and landscaped spaces are due to the urbanization of rural areas and increase when deer are under stress. On the other hand, tender growth from overfertilizing or too much shade may make a plant more palatable. Unfortunately, deer are not quite that predictable. Additional controls are recommended for areas with high deer populations. Weve carefully chosen this collection of plants to be highly deer resistant. In areas where high populations of deer have overbrowsed the woodland understory, they are likely to eat any plant they can find to survive. Deer eat a variety of vegetation including woody plants, grasses, fruits, nuts, ornamental trees, shrubs. Plants that are in bold print are extremely resistant to deer feeding. Other more deerresistant plants include evergreen and deciduous shrubs, vines and groundcovers.
In 50 beautiful deerresistant plants, perennial plant expert ruth rogers clausen highlights the best, most versatile plants that deer simply dont eat. Remember, that even some of the more resistant plants may still get nibbled as deer determine whether they are palatable or not. I will plant either 6 or 9 depending on how far apart they need to be planted. Some plants deter deer feeding by their odor, while others by their taste.
For each suggested plant, clausen shares helpful growing and design tips. Deer resistant plants the following is a list of plants that have been identified as deer resistant. Usually, deer will avoid plants that are fragrant, aromatic, or have fuzzy leaves. Trees seldom damaged plants that deer will rarely eat unless there are no other options. Living with deer damage to landscape plants tends to increase along with the growing population of white. Snow cover may prevent deer from finding food, and high deer numbers can create competition for available food, which can cause hungry deer to eat whatever plants are available. Astilbe bridal veil, visions, and fanal make a nice mix. Unfortunately no plants are 100 % deer proof, this is a list of the plants that are least favored by the deer in our. Deer resistant native plants missouri botanical garden. However, deer will eat anything when they get hungry enough. This fact sheet is intended to serve as a guide for choosing landscape plants resistant to deer feeding in north carolina. Plants deer usually avoid are considered deer resistant.
Indicates moderately resistant plants, others are very resistant. Scented plants are very appealing to gardeners, but not to deer. During stressful times such as drought, plants that are usually avoided may be. As these animals cannot read, and dont know any better, sometimes they just cant resist sampling a. People experiencing deer browse damage to their landscape plantings may consider planting some of the species on this list as alternatives to plants that deer prefer and often damage. Deer and rabbit resistant plants university of arizona. Deer resistant plants 2 common sweetshrub, carolina allspice calycanthus floridus grows 3 to 5 tall and spreads by stolons, zones 510. Some plants, both native and ornamental, used for landscaping are preferred as forage by deer. Native deer resistant plants herbaceous plants achilliea spp.
Deerresistant plants department of natural resources. The ornamental plants and shrubs in your garden should be a feast for the eyes, not a banquet for the local deer population. Six ative dee esisan lans for sn montgomery county. Although no plant can be considered completely deerresistant, heres a list of shade dwellers that most deer avoid. If the best defense is a good offense, then it makes sense to start by choosing deer resistant plants. It should be considered a guide rather than the final. A good plant for many areas because of its sweet smell and tolerance of any condition. The plant choices include annuals and perennials, shrubs, bulbs, grasses, and herbs. Unfortunately no plants are 100% deer proof, this is a list of the plants that are least favored by the deer in our. Plus, weve added some fun facts about deer that might help you understand them better. When you choose plants less favored by deer, you can often reduce some of the impact of browsing. It is important to keep in mind that there are probably no plants that are 100% deerproof. Gardening in the shade where deer are plentiful can be a challenging situation. This is the question that we have attempted to answer.
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