Daffodils, foxgloves, and poppies are common flowers with a toxicity that deer avoid. Deer also tend to turn their noses up at fragrant plants with strong scents. Herbs such as sages, ornamental salvias, and lavender, as well as flowers like peonies and bearded irises, are just “stinky” to deer.
Azaleas are a favorite snack of deer, and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in particular. In fact, evergreen azaleas are rated as “frequently severely damaged” by deer, according to Rutgers University. Deciduous azaleas are apparently slightly less delicious.
Deer can eat zinnia flowers if they cannot find other palatable sources. They will also nibble on those flowers on occasion when scouting. To ensure deer do not cause damage to your treasured flowers, use deer deterrents like repellents to keep them out.
Deer often target impatiens (Impatiens spp.), and they have been known to cause severe damage to these beautiful flowering annuals. If you want to stop deer from eating impatiens, hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, chemical and nonchemical methods both exist.
Deer don’t like to walk on unstable surfaces. If they make a beeline for certain plants, place a sheet of welded-wire fencing on the ground in their pathway.
While deer are often a welcome sight, it’s never a good thing to discover the tops of your precious tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) and their fruits eaten because of them. Deer will eat almost any foliage they can get when they’re really hungry, and your tomato plants are no exception.
Herbaceous plants deer generally eat include crocus, dahlias, daylilies, hostas, impatiens, phlox, and trillium. Some refer to the flowers of lilies and tulips as deer bon-bon candies. Some trees generally resistant to deer include spruce, pines, honey locust, river birch, and buckeyes.
When it comes to hostas, only the artificial ones are deer proof! Or in other words, ALL hostas are susceptible to deer damage unless control measures are taken to prevent it. Green (non-variegated) hostas and those with fragrant flowers are reported to be the most vulnerable.
Repelling Scents
Garlic, eggs and urine of predators offer strong fragrances that deter deer and other animals from making a meal of your hostas and other garden plants. Just remember, you need to periodically reapply fragrance deterrents so they continue to work.
Because they are seldom damaged by deer, many organizations include coneflowers on their “deer resistant” lists. However, the young or newly planted plants have the potential of being eaten. … Rabbits will happily snack on the young stems and leaves of coneflowers.
If you have planted pansies or violas for winter color beware of deer eating them. These beautiful annuals produce flowers that are edible and deer love to eat them. … Deer, like many other animals, hate the smell of cayenne pepper.
Not all begonias are deer-resistant, but those with fuzzy stems/leaves or waxy/leathery leaves tend to be. … The large leaf wax begonias (e.g., angel wing begonia) have the most deer resistance because deer can still pluck smaller wax begonias right out of the ground (taste test), even if they do not want to eat them.
Zinnias attract butterflies and beneficial pollinators from summer to frost. These easy to grow flowers will provide plenty of cut flowers. Zinnias are deer resistant, too! … Plant these easy-to-grow and deer resistant seeds in full sun – make sure to plant enough for cut flower bouquets!
Grow the Rose of Sharon in full sun to part shade. … It prefers moist well-drained soil but is drought tolerant once established. It’s hardy in zones 5 to 9, tends to be deer resistant and tolerates the black walnut’s toxic juglone.
Though tulips, which grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8 according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, are particularly tasty to deer, managing browsing deer can mean you don’t have to surrender your tulips to the voracious critters.
Hummingbirds and butterflies will also feast on the sweet, nectar-rich blooms. Plus, garden phlox makes a terrific cut flower. Deer generally avoid garden phlox. Hardy from zones 3-9.
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