This brazen ungulate stares at me eye to eye through my fence. She knows what delights await if she can get in and I was not the least intimidating!

Will Deer Eat It?

This is the first question most people ask about any plant. While these days nothing is guaranteed to be deer resistant, many plants are still pretty safe to plant in deer town and deer country. There are some general attributes to plants that deer will not touch and knowing them will help you to decide what you might plant. There are no guarantees that come with these plants however because deer have changing tastes! I do believe it is a pretty good list however. Most of them I have experience with.

• If the plant contains a poisonous substance, animals generally sense it and will not eat it so check to see if a plant is labelled as toxic. Some plants are not toxic to animals but are to people so some caution is required until you  have tried and tested. Monkshood (Aconitum), Foxgloves, Daffodils, Hellebores, Spurge (Euphobias), Bleeding Heart, Iris, Milkweed, Poppies, Peony, Yew and Rhododendrons all fall into this category. They are either poisonous or irritating. Rhubarb leaves are toxic but I know a plant that the deer have decimated!

• If the plant is hairy, deer find that irritating, unpalatable and will not generally eat it. Rudbeckia, Gaillardia, Catmint (Nepeta) Lambs Ears, Lungwort(Pulmonaria), Russian Sage (Perovskia), Salvias, Yarrows, Artemesias such as ‘Silver Brocade,’ ‘Silver Mound)and others.

• If a plant gives off a strong aroma such as Lavender, Thyme, Lemon Balm, Oregano, Sage, Mint, Dianthus, Bee Balm(Bergamot) Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Snakeroot (Actea). Scented Geraniums, Cranesbills, They do love Roses and Daylilies however.

• If a plant has sharp leaves such as most ornamental grasses, deer will not touch it. Miscanthus, Blue Oat Grass, Feather Reed Grass Karl Foerster, Blue Fescues for example.

• Then there are plants for whatever reason they don’t touch. Ligularia, (‘Othello’ and ‘The Rocket’)Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)Peach Leaved Campanula (Campanula persicifolia)for sure and possibly other Campanulas,  Astilbes, Goats Beard (Aruncus) , Clematis alpina, and possibly others.

• Trees and Shrubs. In my experience they have never touched my Hawthorn, Spiraeas, Caragana or Alpine Currant Hedge. I have yet to hear of them eating Cotoneaster, Barberries, Ninebarks, Amelanchier, Chokecherries, Snowberry, Euonymous, Potentillas, Mock Orange , Lilac, Boxwood, Viburnum, Forsythia, Dogwoods, Broom (Genista), Tree Lilacs, Lindens or Mountain Ash. Unfortunately it seems most Conifers can become to their taste now. Even Junipers are on their hit list.

• I have seen deer standing on their hind legs to reach the tender leaves of some Maples and fruit trees. The best defense is to set up a good reinforced circle of square wire fencing around a young tree and prune its branches up from below once it is established. An occasional spray of Bobbex will help. Once a tree is mature enough for the deer not to able to reach the leaves it is usually safe.

• Anything young and tender might be choice pickings so always protect new plantings with a spray of Bobbex just as a precaution and if you have wire domes (old ones from hanging baskets) or chicken wire it doesn’t hurt to cover a new plant for a week or two until established.

• Of course the ultimate protection is a fence!

As we are closer to choosing our plants for spring and summer plantings, I hope these tips help and if you have experience of deer eating any of the listed plants, please let readers know in the comments.