Santa Rosa Gardens

Deer Resistant Plants

Deer are indiscriminate grazers. They will eat a particular type of flower or vegetable, or strip new growth from one type of shrub while ignoring the rest of the garden. Although deer-proof plants and repellents have not yet been discovered, there are many natural and manufactured solutions available to help alleviate some deer problems.

Plants That Discourage Deer Plants with a sticky, rough or fuzzy texture, and plants with fragrant leaves will often discourage deer. Deer tend to avoid grasses, common boxwood and flowering dogwood. The spiny protection of cacti, American holly, some pines and other spiky plants act as a natural repellent.

Try these deer-resistant plants:

Deer Resistant Trees, Shrubs and Vines

Other Plants Deer Like

Spindle trees and American arborvitae are deer delicacies. Also, deer will feed on some rhododendrons, red cedar, azaleas, fruit and nuts (especially acorns). Tulip bulbs may encourage deer to trample and dig up gardens.

Non-Lethal Deer Repellents

Many inexpensive and non-lethal methods to repel deer are popular with gardeners. 

Fences And Barricades

Even though deer are agile jumpers, eight-foot high fencing and slanted barricades at least four-foot high and four-foot wide are an effective way to keep deer out of cultivated areas.

When planting bulbs in the fall, protect them with a wire mesh covering. This will help discourage deer (as well as squirrels and other rodents) from digging up the garden. Metal cages covering small bushes and woven-wire or plastic cylinders will protect individual young trees and plants from deer and rabbits.

Taste And Smell Tactics

Repellents that replicate human odors such as nylon stockings filled with human hair; small sacks filled with blood meal or cat feces; and "Irish Spring" and "Dial" bath soap, have proved effective with some gardens. "Bye Deer", a cotton bag filled with oil based soap, is available at Pasquesi Home & Gardens. Attach to low branches or bushes during all seasons. Remember to check periodically, as other animals and rainfall may damage repellents.

Strong smells such as kerosene, creosote, moth balls and rotten eggs will repel deer also. Try soaking rags with one of these petroleum-based products and wrap the rags around tree branches. Place moth balls in perforated cans and tie the cans to shrubs and low branches. Broken rotten eggs scattered on the ground can be effective. After a heavy rainfall or snowfall, reapplication may be necessary.

Miller's Hot Sauce containing capsaicin is a hot pepper extract, that may help repel deer, too.

When applying commercial repellents, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Not all repellents are recommended for edible plants. Some weather better than others.

Begin to apply contact repellents, those applied directly to plants - during the winter or dormant season as new growth that appears after treatment is unprotected. Apply contact repellents on a dry day when temperatures are above freezing. Treat to a height of six feet above expected snow depth. Re-application may be necessary after a heavy rainfall. Contact repellents should not be used on plants intended for human consumption.

In early spring, when plants grow rapidly, several applications will be needed to cover new growth. Completely treat young trees and treat branches and new shoots of older trees - it may be costly to completely cover a mature tree. Check the manufacturer's instructions when using contact repellent during the growing season - often, only half the recommended winter concentrate is needed