Deer Resistant Perennial Plants
First let me start by saying these are resistant plants not deer proof, there is no such plant
that I know of. Deer will try any plant if hungry enough, however it appears that the stronger the scent the more likely they will
not sample that plant. Most of these plants the deer may sample but usually they leave them alone. Anemone–Anemone
Columbine–Aquilegi
Rock Cress–Arabis caucasica
White
Mugwort–Artemisia lactiflora
Butterfly Weed–Asclepias
Heartleaf
Bergenia–Bergenia
Bellflower–Campanulaspp.
Snow-in-Summer–Cerastium
tomentosum
Daisy–Chrysanthemum
Coreopsis–Coreopsis
Pinks–Dianthusspp.
Coneflower–Echinacea purpurea when
older, will eat small plants.
Fleabane Daisy–Erigeron hybrids
Joe-Pye
Weed–Eupatorium
Cranesbill–Geraniumspp.
Geum–Geum
hybrids
Hellebore–Helleborusspp.
Dame’s Rocket–Hesperis
matronalis
Hibiscus–Hibiscusspp.
Candytuft–Iberis
sempervirens
Iris–Iris
Maltese Cross–Lychnis chalcedonica
Bee Balm–Monarda didym
Peony–Paeonia hybrids
Russian
Sage–Perovskia atriplicifolia
Jacob’s Ladder–Polemonium caeruleum
Foam Flower–Tiarella cordifolia
Orange Coneflower–Rudbeckia
fulgida var. sullivantii
Salvia–Salviaspp.
Soapwort–Saponaria
ocymoides
Sempervivum–Sempervivum
Goldenrod–Solidago
hybrids
Speedwell–Veronicaspp.
Spanish Bayonet–Yucca
filamentosa
Mints
Lavender
Thyme
Sage
Miscanthus
Yarrow–Achilleaspp.
Monkshood–Aconitum
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Ways to Prevent Deer Damage
The only sure way to prevent deer from damaging your garden is to have at least a six foot fence around
the entire thing. A fence like this would be to much for most people, so the other options are deer deterrents which range
from noise, to scents to lights. Some of these I have tried and some I have not. I will tell you what I have found to
work the best for me and then list some of the other things which I have not tried.
I use a combination
of ingredients and make a powder that I sprinkle around my plants. I have read from similar products that are on the
market that you can use this once every three weeks or after really heavy rains. I apply this once a week around my plants
unless there is a lot of heavy rain and then I reapply when the rain has stopped.
Ingredients
are:
Blood Meal a 5 lb. bag
Ground Clove 1/2 of a larger spice bottle
Garlic Powder 1/2 of a larger spice bottle
Ground Pepper 1/2 of
a larger can
Mix well in a large container, sprinkle generously around all your plants.
After a certain period of time deer will stay away from an area where they can't find good food, usually this is three
weeks. I prefer to sprinkle this mixture throughout the growing season. I'd rather not take the chance of a wandering
deer tasting my garden.
I also have started placing plants that deer don't seem to like around plants
that they love. So far I have been lucky with this method. It does require surrounding the plant you are protecting with
plants that are a deer deterrent, a type of companion planting if you will.
Somethings I have heard
that are supposed to work are:
A bar a soap in a stocking hung on the plant.
Human hair around
plants.
Motion activated noise of some type, when the deer get to close it comes on.
Flashing lights
like the little ones used at Christmas. I have been told it reminds them of eyes.
Electric fence. I know
someone who used this technique with limited results. The deer still got in at times.
Good luck and
if you have any other suggestions please let me know.
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