Do deer proof flowers exist?
If you have a deer problem, you may wonder about investing in deer-proof flowers. In this article, we will discuss the benefits and downsides to figure out if it’s possible to deer-proof your garden using flowers and other plants alone.
Gardening with deer comes with a variety of challenges. Deer are voracious eaters and can ravage through a garden in a single meal. Deer are the culprit for stripped branches, shrubs, and trees. They are also known to rub their antlers against trees, thereby damaging them in the process. Therefore, you need to take steps to prevent deer damage to your garden.
Is it possible to deer-proof your garden with flowers or other plants?
The bottom line is that there is no way to deer-proof your garden using flowers or any other plants. Deer can eat anything given the opportunity. However, there are plants that deer do not like which may minimize deer damage but not prevent it. They include plants and flowers with the following traits:
- Prickly foliage: Deer dislike plants with spines on their leaves. Although some have been known to learn to eat even the thorny canes of rose gardens. Nevertheless, examples of plants with prickly foliage that they may not like include; sea hollies, globe thistles, and bear’s breeches.
- Aromatic plants: Deer have very sensitive noses but unlike us will avoid plants with very strong fragrances. Such plants include cat mint, boxwood, tansy, bee balm, Lanta, dill, Russian sage, and blue mist shrub.
- Fuzzy or hairy foliage: Deer do not like fuzzy or hairy textures on plants. Therefore, you can cultivate deer-resistant garden plants that fall into this category such as ageratum, poppies, lady’s mantle, lamb’s ear, flowering tobacco, and lots more.
- Toxic foliage: Particular plants contain compounds that are toxic to deer. Some such plants include spurges, monkshood, daffodils, bleeding hearts, false indigo, and poppies. However, use these toxic plants with caution as they can also be toxic to humans and pets.
Choose a robust deer deterrent strategy
Cultivating deer-proof flowers and plants is not enough to deter deer from your garden. You need a more robust solution that will keep them away for good. We recommend investing in physical barriers such as tree guards and fencing, and a deer repellent spray.
Deer repellent sprays are powerful and effectively formulated products that can repel deer from your gardens. They are especially good for protecting vulnerable plants and flowers. Don’t forget that the effectiveness of your repellent may depend on deer density, the season, availability of alternative food sources among others. It is best to combine control methods to effectively deer-proof your gardens from deer damage.
Nature’s MACE’s premium range of deer repellents is suitable for protecting your plants from deer damage. You will especially love that Nature’s MACE Deer repellent is made from all-natural ingredients that are non-toxic and biodegradable. Beyond that Nature’s MACE repellents are safe for use around children, pets, and vegetation. With Nature’s MACE, you can confidently gain that peace of mind that comes with protecting your garden without harming your environment.
