Deer-resistant plants and garden tips
Growing deer-resistant plants is a necessity for many gardeners now that deer have become a major problem in many regions.
The deer population is increasing, and it's largely our fault: we're building homes in their habitat, and the loss of wild areas means fewer natural predators.
Deer are attractive creatures, but gardeners would be happier if they weren't so keen to devour favorite perennials and shrubs.
Deer-resistant gardening tips
Deer are most active just after dark and before dawn, when you're not going to be around to scare them off.
However, there are a number of methods you can try to keep deer out of your yard:
Deer fencing: This is the most effective, but also the most expensive or work-intensive option. Deer fences should be at least six to eight feet high. Sloping your fence at an angle, near the top, so the top of the fence points away from your garden increases its effectiveness.
Netting: If you have just a few plants to protect, you can wrap plastic netting around them or put it on the ground around the plant — deer hate stepping on netting.
Repellents: Garden suppliers and home centers carry a number of products that you can spray on plants to make them taste or smell bad. PlantskyddŽ repellent is a product that many gardeners have found effective for preventing both deer and rabbit damage.
Human or dog hair: Some folks swear by putting human hair from salons around the garden so deer can readily catch the scent. Dog hair from a dog-grooming establishment can also do the trick.
Predator urine: This stuff, courtesy of wolves and coyotes, can make deer nervous enough to steer clear of your place. Available from garden suppliers and online.
Ultrasonic devices: These repellent devices are expensive, and deer can become accustomed to familiar sounds and objects, which means that this most successful if you move the ultrasonic transmitter frequently.
Radio sounds: If you use a radio, it doesn't have to be very loud. Your best bet is to tune to an all-night talk station, as human voices are scarier for deer than music. Obviously, this is not an option if it's loud enough to disturb your neighbors' sleep, not to mention your own.
DEER-RESISTANT PLANTS
Deer will eat almost anything if they're ravenous enough, but they usually don't bother the plants listed below.
Normally, they avoid plants with a strong taste or smell to their leaves, and they don't relish hairy leaves.
Annuals, Perennials, Ferns
AgeratumBrown-eyed Susan
Coral bells
Coreopsis
Cosmos
Cornflower
Dusty miller
Evening primrose
Heuchera
Lavender
Lenten rose
Ornamental grasses
Ornamental onions (Allium species)
Perennial sage
Purple coneflower
Russian sage
Salvia (annual and perennial)
Shasta daisy
Speedwell
Verbena
Wood fern Yarrow
Ground Covers
Carpet Bugle (Ajuga)Periwinkle
Santolina
Thyme
Evergreen & Deciduous Trees
Bradford or Chanticleer pearRed maple
Serviceberry
White, pin, and scarlet oak
Douglas fir
Most spruces
Evergreen & Broadleaf
Evergreen Shrubs
Bird's nest spruceBoxwood
Dwarf Alberta spruce
Dwarf blue spruce
Juniper
Lily-of-the-valley shrub (Pieris japonica)
Mugo pine
Deciduous Shrubs
Anthony Waterer SpireaBayberry
Burning-bush
Cinquefoil
Cotoneaster
For more information:
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