Deer Resistant Plants

February 2, 2010

Having a garden can sometimes be a frustrating endeavor, especially for those of you who have chosen to live away from the big city and bright lights. Gardening in suburbia has its own set of unique problems including plant eating animals, namely deer. Nothing is more frustrating than the anticipation of your rose bush blooming and the next morning finding a decapitated flowerless plant. Yes, lovable Bambi really likes your plants, all of them. And unless you enjoy having to replant your garden every day, you should choose plants which deer do not find irresistible ? no, not cactus. There are beautiful plants and flowers available that those pesky critters won?t eat.

One thing you need to remember, these are deer resistant plants not deer proof and there is a reason why the term ?deer resistant? is used. Deer eat plants, period. Some plants are less tasty than others, but depending upon your current area conditions (drought, deer population, abundance of undeveloped land, and entrapment), even the least appetizing foliage will be eaten. So do not expect these plants to always ward off your antlered friends forever. But as long as there is available water, abundant native foliage and a low deer population, the following plants will remain a part of your garden and landscaping:

Sages (Salvia, Meadow, Russian, Jerusalem)

Lavender
Daffodils
Poppy
======================================
Garden Tip...

It is a mistake to try to stimulate into growth, by the use of fertilizers, those plants which give every indication of being sickly or stunted; they will make such a plant sicker, if they do not kill it outright. If guano is used in potting soil, it should be in the proportion of one pound to every bushel of soil.
~ James Sheehan
======================================
Peony
Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano (make a mini herb garden too)
Ornamental Grasses (any variety)
Bleeding Hearts
Narcissus
Foxglove
Daphne
Boxwood
======================================
Garden Tip...

There are a great variety of opinions as regards the most effective way of planting flower-beds. Some prefer to mix plants of different colors and varieties, others prefer the ribbon-style of planting, now so generally in use in Europe. If the promiscuous style is adopted, care should be taken to dispose the plants in the beds, so that the tallest will be at the back of the bed; if the leader is against a wall or background of shrubbery, the others should graduate to the front, according to the hight. In open beds, on the lawn, the tallest plants should be in the centre, the others grading down to the front, on all sides, interspersing the colors so as to form the most effective contrast in shades.
~ James Vick
======================================
Butterfly bush
Siberian Iris
Mint (all types, this is an invasive plant though, so be careful how and where you plant it)
Bayberry
Calla Lily (wide array of colors, perennial)
Buttercups
Carnations (wonderful perennial that requires little effort to grow, very fragrant)
Crape Myrtle (depending upon how you trim it, it can be a bush or a tree)
Ferns (New York, Sensitive, Wood, Holly)
English Ivy (be careful with ivy plants because they can quickly become invasive)
Azaleas
Hydrangeas
Marigolds (not everyone likes the smell of these)
Periwinkle
Dogwoods, Maples, Spruces, Pines, Cedar trees
Yucca
Lantana

This is only a partial list as there are literally hundreds of plants which are deer resistant and all of which would make any garden or landscaping quite beautiful. Another good thing is these plants do well in close quarters and will overlap without overtaking their neighbors. Most all deer resistant plants are compatible with everything and quite often require far less upkeep as compared to other more traditional and eatable landscaping foliage.