Deer-Resistant Flowering Shrubs: A Guide for Gardeners
Introduction
Deer are beautiful animals, but they can be a nuisance in the garden. They love to munch on flowers and vegetables, and they can quickly destroy a carefully cultivated landscape. If you’re tired of deer eating your plants, there is a solution: deer-resistant plants.
What are Deer-Resistant Plants?
Deer-resistant plants are plants that deer don’t like to eat. This doesn’t mean that deer will never eat these plants, but they are less likely to do so than other plants. Deer-resistant plants typically have one or more of the following characteristics:
- Prickles or thorns
- Strong odor
- Thick sap
- Fuzzy or hairy leaves
Why are Deer-Resistant Plants Important?
Deer-resistant plants are important for gardeners because they can help to protect your garden from deer damage. By planting deer-resistant plants, you can reduce the amount of time and money you spend on deer fencing and other deer deterrents.
Choosing Deer-Resistant Plants
When choosing deer-resistant plants for your garden, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Your climate: Some deer-resistant plants are only hardy in certain climates.
- Your soil: Different deer-resistant plants have different soil requirements.
- Your deer population: The severity of your deer problem will help you determine which deer-resistant plants are right for you.
Flowering Deer-Resistant Shrubs
If you’re looking for deer-resistant flowering shrubs, there are many great options to choose from. Some of the most popular deer-resistant flowering shrubs include:
- Smoketree (Cotinus coggygria): This shrub has plumy flowers and attractive foliage.
- Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia): This shrub has bright yellow flowers that bloom in early spring.
- Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum): This shrub has fragrant yellow flowers that bloom in winter.
- Dwarf nandina (Nandina domestica): This shrub has evergreen foliage and red berries.
- Oleander (Nerium oleander): This shrub has showy flowers in bright shades.
- Daphne (Daphne spp.): This shrub has fragrant flowers and evergreen foliage.
- Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia): This shrub has white flowers that mature to deep pink.
Are Lilac Bushes Deer Resistant?
Lilac bushes are considered deer resistant, but they are not deer proof. Deer will eat lilac bushes if they are hungry enough, especially new growth and flower buds. To protect your lilac bushes from deer, you can plant them in a fenced-in area or use other deer deterrents.
Tips for Protecting Your Garden from Deer
In addition to planting deer-resistant plants, there are a number of other things you can do to protect your garden from deer. These include:
- Fencing: A fence is the most effective way to keep deer out of your garden.
- Deer repellents: Deer repellents can be effective in deterring deer, but they need to be reapplied regularly.
- Motion-activated sprinklers: Motion-activated sprinklers can startle deer and keep them away from your garden.
- Dogs: Dogs can be effective in deterring deer, but they need to be trained to leave your plants alone.
By following these tips, you can protect your garden from deer and enjoy beautiful, deer-resistant plants for years to come.
