We are often asked what plants deer are resistant to. We often hear the reply that “deer will eat about any plant” (if hungry enough). That is true, but there are some plants they are less likely to be ate or browsed on than others. Note most plants are not considered “deer proof”. I have talked to some wholesale growers and they say they find the following plants somewhat deer resistant: boxwood, some types of holly, varieties of spirea, microbiota (Russian cypress), Hypericum, red twig dogwood, double file viburnums, cranberry cotoneaster, lilacs and chamaecyparis. Also some of the perennials that have a strong odor are deer resistant such as ornamental onion, sages and peppermint. Some of the thorny or picky plants keep deer at bay. Deer like white cedar and arborvitae’s. A relatively new variety of arborvitae called “GREEN GIANT’ arborvitae is generally quite resistant to deer browsing. As far as trees are concerned, deer like the tender twigs and buds of young trees=maple, flowering crab, fruit trees and others. Winter is the time of year when deer cannot find grass, apples, nuts and food they like the best. Then they are more apt to cause damage to landscape trees. With harsher winter weather, generally more deer damage occurs. At our nursery we attach cloth bags (we call “deer bags”) that contain dry tankage to our nursery tree in the late fall. These bags are prepared with a couple of strings on them and can loop around a lower branch of the tree about 4’ off the ground (deer height). The odor from the bags is quite effective at keeping the deer from chewing on the trees. We put the bags on each tree 8’ to 10’ apart) each year in November as they are only effective for about a year. We have been doing this for over 15 years and have been very successful in deterring the deer. These bags strategically placed can also help prevent damage from rabbits. I understand the Dial soap also repels deer.
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Dorian's BlogWith over 30 years of experience growing and landscaping plants, Dorian Dobias will describe some unique characteristic along with physical descriptions for over 20 groups or Genera of plants through the 2014 growing season. Many new and older Garden Center plants will be described along with some frequently answered questions about plants. Archives
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