There are many aromatic perennial herbs that you can interplant among your flowers and deer resistant shrubs that won’t hurt your plants, but the scent will deter the deer. Zones: 7-10. Andromeda polifolia by Keith Murdock / CC BY-NC 2.0. A Modern Garden in Deer Country If you are planting evergreens for privacy, the last thing you want to worry about is deer damage. Some native plant species are favorite food sources for white tailed deer. The following tables provide a guide to the relative likelihood of deer damage to plants used by Michigan landscape con-tractors and landowners. Other shrubs that are normally ignored include the following garden-worthy plants. Even with many of the shrubs and trees deer tend to avoid they may still eat the flowers or the tender young foliage. From tools to furniture, these garden products are sure to delight. (Plants in BOLDfont are native to Maryland) 1. In this article, we’ll look at the most effective deer resistant shade plants you can grow. Artist® Blue floss flower. You can get them in several shapes and sizes, and these are the shrubs that you can prune and trim into fun shapes. Bluebeard(Caryopteris x clandonensis) 8. Are the deer making dinner of your garden? Height: 6 to 30 inches tall, 10 to 18 inches wide Deer-Resistant Plants. For a floss flower that doesn't require deadheading and will bloom throughout summer in hot climates, try Artist® Blue (pictured). From our survey, you told us that grasses and ferns are usually resistant to damage by deer, but we would be interested to hear which you have had most success with growing. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 21 Deer-resistant Plants for San Antonio and the Hill Country By Mark Peterson November 8, 2016. The flowers will often last as long as 15 weeks, well into October, making Russian sage a good companion for other fall-blooming perennials. Allegheny Spurge. It produces silver-grey berries and yellow-green flowers with deep green leaves that look a little like holly leaves. Fortunately, over the last few years, my husband and I have discovered a handful of shrubs that look AMAZING in the shade (shade plants can be hard to find) and are deer resistant. How do I keep the deer from eating my plants? They’re easy to care for, easy to plant and maintain, and they look lush and full. 20 Deer-Resistant Plants to Protect Your Garden From Bambi and Friends. Both are wonderfully deer resistant and offer attractive blue-green foliage. Top Deer-Resistant Shrubs. Oblong, toothed leaves are gray-green to dark green. There are many aromatic perennial herbs that you can interplant among your flowers and deer resistant shrubs that won’t hurt your plants, but the scent will deter the deer. ‘Variegata’, a cultivar with white markings on its leaves, is especially effective at brightening up shady locations. Animals and Wildlife Plants Gardening Not on a Deer's Menu While no plant is completely deer resistant, our four-legged friends tend to shy away from plants that feature such unpalatable characteristics as bitter flavor, thorny stems, strong scent or unappealing texture. The flowers have an unpleasant odor and bitter taste that repel deer. karrylh. Zones: 5-9. Deer- and Rabbit-Resistant Shrubs. Newly Rethatched “Cottage” in Chipping Campden, Cotswolds by JR P / CC BY-NC 2.0. Andromeda(Pieris japonica) 4. This easy-care perennial thrives in sun or part shade and is often planted in masses for use in borders or as a tall groundcover. Deer are maddening, complicated critters: The deer in your yard may avoid a specific plant, but the deer down the street may find that a favorite. Check out some of the best deer resistant plants prone to thriving in Wisconsin. One of our favorite deer-resistant perennials are bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis, aka Dicentra spectabilis). This shade-tolerant annual blooms continuously from late spring through fall. If it stays too wet, fungal infections or rot could kill the plant. Water ... Unsheared shrubs reach 12 feet high and wide. They need well-drained soil that is moderately fertile, but they can also grow in moist soil. Common Lilac(Syringa vulgaris) 12. They can also have golden-yellow foliage that turns a deep red in the fall, and they need well-draining soil that is acidic to slightly alkaline. Shrubs That Are Deer-Resistant. Common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) has long been a favorite shrub for hedges, and it is one of the most deer-tolerant plants for gardens. They need full sun with compost-amended soil to grow, and they like medium moisture to encourage them to bloom in the hot weather. Even with planting deer resistant shrubs, plants, and flowers, there are other steps you can take to protect your garden or flower beds. What is the Average Cost to Add a Bathroom? Photo by Proven Winners. Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum) by Kent McFarland / CC BY-NC 2.0. There are no truly deer-proof plants — except for plastic and silk ones. They come in numerous shapes and sizes and take well to pruning, making them ideal for formal hedges, borders, and topiaries. The ornamental plants and shrubs in your garden should be a feast for the eyes, not a banquet for the local deer population. 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. Deer ignore most ferns, including this stunning low-growing variety distinguished by its silver-gray fronds delicately painted with brush strokes of green and mauve. Snapdragons by Inga Munsinger Cotton / CC BY 2.0. Deer can be a joy in the landscape, but a pest in the garden. Deer love to graze on many types of groundcovers, especially when new, tender growth emerges in the spring. All varieties of marigolds are a turnoff for deer because of their strong, pungent scent. They are among the earliest plants to bloom in the spring. Extra protection especially for young plants may be your best bet if you have a heavy deer population and experience extensive damage each year. var theDate=new Date() The exotic indigo-blue flowers resemble the figure of a hooded monk and rise on spikes above deeply divided dark green leaves. Zones: 3-9. It resists deer and it’s very drought-tolerant, so it’ll survive if you forget to water it once or twice. You shouldn’t need to stake them to keep them upright, and they have a bitter taste with an unpleasant smell that keeps the deer far away. biflorum 7. pinxter azalea, Rhododendron periclymenoides 8… Common Name Bear's Breech. Deer generally leave this plant alone due to the flower’s scent, and they love full fun locations where they get at least six hours of direct light every day. In zones four to nine, it’ll grow white or light pink flowers that last well into the summer months. It can grow from two to six feet tall and wide, and the leaves have a fine texture with a blue-grey coloring. Save Comment 30 Like 107. Interplant aromatic perennial herbs throughout your garden that have scents that deer hate, such as mint, thyme, French tarragon, Deer love the tender new leaves and shoots of groundcovers when they first emerge in the spring. This is a very dense flowering deer resistant shrub that the deer will avoid due to the fragrance the flowers release. One of our favorite deer-resistant perennials are bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis, aka Dicentra spectabilis). You don’t have to worry about it taking over your space when you plant it. On this page: Deer-Resistant Flowers | Deer-Resistant Shrubs | Deer-Resistant Perennials | Deer-Resistant Groundcovers | Deer-Proofing Tips | Online Learning. When you're looking for deer-proof shade plants, here are a few with textures and tastes that these creatures tend to shy away from (although no plant can be considered completely deer resistant). Boxwoods are among the most versatile broadleaf evergreens for a deer-resistant garden. More about the newsletter. Dusty Miller by nodigio / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Other shrubs that are normally ignored include the following garden-worthy plants. Deer much less eat the following offering of plants and in some cases, will never be touched. Russian Sage and Lavender by mwms1916 / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Once you plant deer resistant trees and shrubs around your property, you’ll be able to maintain your yard’s good looks and will deny the deer a meal. Zones: 4-8. This shrub grows well in moist areas. Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium) 7. Taking the time, energy and expense of trying to beautify your yard, to have ravenous deer eat it all down to nubs can be extremely frustrating! 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