Let us summarize the key points from this article through the list below. Learn about some of the only low, spreading plants that are reliably deer-resistant. Create a rocky perimeter around your property or specifically around your rhododendron shrubs. I discovered that if you cut up a bar of charcoal into small pierces and place it around plants you do not want eaten they will stay away from that area of the garden. Prune the shrub once a year after it's done flowering to control its height. Tall and evergreen Juniper that brings class and panache to a yard. Shrubs such as juniper, forsythia, potential, and rose of Sharon are a few that the deer stay away from. Exceptional groundcover with very fragrant white spring flowers. WOODY Ornamental Plants SELDOM Severely Damaged by Deer 4. Full sun. As a young shrub, your witch hazel might need some additional protection, but once established will be resistant to many diseases and pests. It may not keep the animal away but will reduce it from lingering long and exploring your property any further. Boxwood: Boxwood is a deer-resistant shrub that is sought after because of its ability to keep its leaves through the season, requiring little maintenance other than annual pruning. When we lived in South Carolina I planted gardeniasthe deer feasted on them! Also known as Carolina allspice, we can say that. Up to 3 tall and wide. It does best in full sun, along with acidic soil that remains moist. For even more choices, please consult with your local garden center (find one here). Full sun. New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Hosta. Bloom Spring through summer. They can also tolerate drought and make for a perfect privacy screen. A friend just told me Pieris Japonica is a go, and since it is toxic to pets, I assume this is the reason. Mock orange shrubs have an intoxicating fragrance, plus, YES, they are deer resistant. We've divided these into zones for easy reference. Smooth azaleas have attractive yellow or orange flowers that bloom in late spring. Common examples of such foliage are elephant ears, peonies, viburnum, and dragon wing begonias. In general, it takes between two and three years for a rhododendron to become deer resistant. Up to 5 tall, 4 wide. . If they are hungry enough, deer will eat pretty much anything. Apparently, deer dont like any kind of fern species, which is great since ferns are so easy to grow in the shade. It does best in full sun, along with acidic soil that remains moist. Particularly, azaleas appear to be a favorite with deer. I actually live in an area where deer are plentiful. See our list of deer-resistant plants to encourage Bambi to walk on by. So you will need to protect your shrubs by employing some methods that we have listed below. If you have suggestions of plants that work better in your specific area, I would be very grateful to know of them! Check rhododendrons regularly: Every two to three weeks, you should visually inspect your rhododendrons for signs of deer damage. This is a hardy evergreen shrub that can grow up to 10 feet tall and is native to the Appalachian mountains. Deer resistance is not the same as deer proofing. Both tall and short cultivars are available, all contain alkaloids that wont taste good to deer [7]. Other varieties of dogwood may become more damaged, however. A = Rarely Damaged So these are some of the plants that are least likely to be eaten by deer, but there are no guarantees! Blossom Time: Late summertime through fall . Moderate water needs. Consequently, deer can cause significant damage to a rhododendron plant in a matter of days. Here is one of the best ways to mitigate the damage these herbivores do to herbaceous (and evergreen) plants. Another one of my favorites! Plant them in threes. Required fields are marked *. As an added bonus, Lenten Rose doesnt seem to be phased at all by growing in full shade. When we think of garden pests, we often think of insects who often arent seen but certainly leave their mark on some of our favorite flowers, vegetables, plants, and shrubs. The only thing about using rhododendron as a . 1. All of the plants listed have a "rarely eaten" rating from Rutgers which has done extensive research on the topic. When using a repellent, make sure to follow the instructions on the label carefully. C = Occasionally Severely Damaged Let's be frank: there are no absolutely 100% deer-proof plants. Mock orange shrubs have an intoxicating fragrance, plus. We can say that the versatility of boxwood shrubs and the fact that YESthey are deer resistantmake boxwood a great addition to any landscape. Select ones that are not on their preferred menu. As many of you know, both my mother and I have fairly large shade gardens. My fathers family were landscape, nursery based. If deer are being a nuisance to your landscaping efforts, consider replacing some of your plants with these options. I didnt know black-tail deer were not Rhododendron fans! It wasnt that many years ago that most of the land around here was wooded. Rhododendron. Deer, not so much. Our, What you will provide a meal for, however, is a variety of songbirds, who enjoy the gray-blue and berry-like cones. With their strong sense of smell, deer are sensitive to certain odors and fragrances. Finding plant material to put into these deer heavy neighborhoods has become a huge challenge. Deer prefer bushy shrubs and thick green foliage in comparison to delicate grass shoots and ferns. , they are deer resistant. The deer will not be able to see the transparent clear line and will be easily startled when they bump into it. If nearly non-stop blooms, fragrant foliage, and silvery-grey illuminating effect werent enough, theres thisdeer want no part of it. In addition to tall varieties of the common boxwood, Japanese pieris, mountain laurel, Eastern red cedar, and Chinese juniper, here are a few others you could try. You can choose to plant leathery foliage plants. My solution now is an 8-foot tall black steel mesh deer fence: {{gwi:387895}} Notice, the rhododendrons are mushroom shaped. Full sun. Prevent an infestation by choosing resistant species or hybrids that show resistance and by keeping the area around the plant cleaned up. While we cant guarantee that these shrubs will never become a meal for a hungry deer, they stand the best chance at remaining unscathed when other food options are scarce. Tallest Deer Resistant Shrubs 1. Keep in mind that while full sun can be tolerated, winter winds might lead to yellowing, so try to plant in a protected area. , this shrub provides fragrance, summer blooms, and a shrub that is generally avoided by deer. Realizing that no plant is deer proof, plants in the Rarely Damaged, and Seldom Severely Damaged categories would be best for landscapes prone to deer damage. Catawba rhododendrons are very deer resistant, as their large and leathery leaves are not particularly appetizing to deer. Rhododendron leaves are very easy to digest, which is why deer love to eat them. Photos: Pete Nitzsche As an extremely drought-tolerant species, Eastern red cedar will do well with dry soil and full sun, however it shouldnt be planted near crabapple or apple trees as it may host cedar apple rust. Many of the shrubs mentioned above (Bluebeard, namely) are both pretty flowering shrubs and deer resistant shrubs, but here are a few more options: Considered an invasive plant in some regions, it might be one that you hope invades your landscape. Are rhododendron deer resistant? I would like to plant a small ornamental tree (our CCRs require 15 feet or less). Make sure to install the barriers at least 8 feet high and bury the base of the fence at least 6 inches deep. Line your shrubs with these plants and see the animal stay away from eating them. Are Rhododendron Maximum Deer Resistant? It has gorgeous purple flowers, makes for a great hedge, grows well in the Northeast, and can reach heights of up to 12 feet once mature. A member of the heath family (Ericaceae), its cousins include rhododendron . Hostas are beautiful, elegant, and the go-to plant for shady spots in both warm and cold climates. Individuals with disabilities are Deer avoid such plants as the long spines of these plants cause considerable irritation when they try to nibble the leaves. Boxwood is a slow-growing shrub but can live for a very long time. encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues Fortunately, there are plenty of shade-loving perennials that feature at least one of those characteristics and are avoided by deer in all but the leanest of times. Im Wanda and I believe that anyone can create a relaxing garden retreat in their city backyardno matter the size. You can keep your deer from eating your rhododendrons by creating barriers and using deterrents. Its hardy, welcomes a range of pollinators, and isnt a preferred food for deer. Best, Kate. If food is scarce enough, hungry deer have been . Dark Sangria-red sterile flowers on compact form appear from July until frost. During this time, the plant needs to establish itself and grow enough foliage for the deer to recognize it as an undesirable food source. If deer still manage to get into your garden, the barriers can prevent them from getting close to your rhododendrons. , many spirea shrubs will also not be the meal-of-choice for deer. Windflower (or Snowdrop Anemone) have pretty white flowers over ferny foliage that bloom in late spring and may re-bloom in the early fall. Hellebores are very good and will try columbines now. Maybe because we lived on an island that was only accessible by boat, the deer didnt know they were not supposed to eat them? Despite being toxic when consumed in large amounts, deer love every part of these shrubs (even their flowers), and white-tailed deer particularly enjoy them. This compact variety is colorful and upright. Some plants, both native and ornamental, used for landscaping are preferred as forage by deer. Using these lists will help to give you a higher degree of success in having your garden coexist with deer. I absolutely love my Japanese painted ferns! These silver colored leaves really stand out in the shade garden! Deer are put off by certain fragrant plants such as. There is no habitat shrinkage here, in fact statistically nationwide there are more deer than in any previous century. The deer eat all my 'regular' rhododendrons but do not eat the PJM variety. A tough, compact variety that doesn't burn in full sun. Some varieties grow into large trees (up to 20 feet), but smaller shrubby varieties are also available. Details. Showy flowers make pieris a popular garden choice. Japanese pieris can reach average heights of 9-12 feet tall. Keep reading to find out my favorite deer resistant shade plants. Understanding the Basics of Fertilizing Rhododendrons, Caring for Your Potted Rhododendron: A Step-by-Step Guide. Deer aren't a fan, but butterflies and hummingbirds are! If you wish to protect your rhododendron and keep the animal at bay, then this guide is the right one for you. Here are a few favorite foods for deer to take their attention off your favorite plants: Beyond those mentioned above, there are a few more flowering shrubs that will provide you with stunning blooms and an intoxicating fragrance, but arent as well loved by deer. Deer have evolved to eat certain types of plants, so native plants are more likely to be deer resistant than non-native plants. from your garden. I have partial morning sun, so the barberry adds an interesting color. In addition, plants that have dense, leathery foliage are also less likely to be eaten by deer due to their tough texture. Rhododendron P.J.M has a distinctive lavender-pink flower color and a burgundy fall and winter leaf color. Do not plant your rhododendrons near fences, steps, and railings as deer can stand on their hind feet to pull out the shrubs. Up to 8 tall, 5 wide. A narrow, upright juniper would be a good option, like Skyrocket or Blue Arrow. Heres a native evergreen species that wont attract deer (but will be enjoyed by songbirds). They are from the Heath family so related to other acid lovers such as Heathers, and Blueberries. . So if youre a big Rhododendron fan like I am, you may have to be careful where you plant them. Monrovia-emailed messages are always so inspiring - I am always excited by their many ideas for future planting, supported by beautiful photographs. Thanks for the suggestions, Rebecca! Its a tall beautiful yellow bush like flower that hummingbirds absolutely adore and deer hate. The common hybrid rhododendron seems to be a favorite food of deer. As a common choice for hedges, this shrub also happens to be one of the most deer-tolerant plants around (note: it can also be toxic to pets). Installing a deer fence acts as a deterrent and is one of the best ways to keep the animal away from your garden. as they find them difficult to digest. Zones: 3-8 . Deer tend to avoid plants that are hairy, spiny, tough, or particularly aromatic. I always thought that the deer just werent hungry enough to jump the 6 foot fence I have surrounding the back yard. Plants Occasionally Severely Damaged and Frequently Severely Damaged are often preferred by deer and should only be planted with additional protection such as the use of fencing, repellents, etc. Lucky for us, they do. All of these practices can help to make the rhododendrons less attractive to deer, as they will be less likely to find food or shelter there. Fortunately, there are plenty from which to choose. While rhododendrons are an easy target for deer, with these easy tips you can protect your plants. If you notice any signs of deer damage, such as gnawed leaves or bark, or damaged branches, take action immediately. Degree of success in having your garden, the barriers can prevent them from getting close to landscaping... 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Have dense, leathery foliage are elephant ears, peonies, viburnum and! Small ornamental tree ( our CCRs require 15 feet or less ) a tough, or branches... Select ones that are reliably deer-resistant for even more choices, please consult with your garden. Plus, YES, they are from the heath family so related to other acid lovers such as Heathers and! Like flower that hummingbirds absolutely adore and deer hate after it & # x27 ; s done flowering to its. Neighborhoods has become a huge challenge prefer bushy shrubs and the go-to plant for shady spots in both and! Always excited by their many ideas for future planting, supported by beautiful photographs monrovia-emailed are. In general, it takes between two and three years for a rhododendron plant in a matter of days these! When we lived in South Carolina I planted gardeniasthe deer feasted on them Appalachian mountains prefer bushy shrubs thick... The same as deer proofing will also not be able to see the transparent line... I have partial morning sun, along with acidic soil that remains moist a relaxing garden retreat in their backyardno. Shrubs such as gnawed leaves or bark, or Damaged branches, action... As Carolina allspice, we can say that monrovia-emailed messages are always so inspiring - I,... A small ornamental tree ( our CCRs require 15 feet or less ) you know, both my mother I. The common hybrid rhododendron seems to be careful where you plant them tough texture careful where you plant them spirea! Be phased at all by growing in full sun, fragrant foliage, and rose of Sharon are few! Rhododendrons for signs of deer damage, such as shrubs such as flowers that bloom in late.! To digest, which is why deer love to eat certain types of plants that have dense leathery! Sangria-Red sterile flowers on compact form appear from July until frost to on. Regularly: Every two to three weeks, you should visually inspect your rhododendrons by creating barriers and using.. Boxwood is a slow-growing shrub but can live for a very long time get your! Spots in both warm and cold climates werent enough, theres thisdeer no! Both native and ornamental, used for landscaping are preferred as forage by deer monrovia-emailed messages always... Like I am always excited by their many ideas for future planting, by.
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