Daffodils, foxgloves, and poppies are common flowers with a toxicity that deer avoid. Zones: 58, but it often comes back from seed as an annual in colder zones. That is one reason why peonies are such a popular choice for people who want a colorful garden but struggle with hungry deer. Look for varieties with foliage in shades of purple, bronze, and green -- as well as selections variegated with white, cream, or pink. 6. 0000008374 00000 n Click here to learn more about growing thyme. Full sun and dry, unfertile soil will keep them happiest for many years to come. Keep the penstemon flowerbed weeded regularly. University of California Cooperative Extension. Purple coneflowers aren't just purple anymore; today plant breeders have expanded its range from orange and yellow to white and even green. A drought-tolerant succulent, hens and chicks usually needs no extra watering and it's a slow spreader so you won't have to keep it from crowding out its neighbors. The scent and texture of the foliage make it less appealing to deer and rabbits, but bees will enjoy its blooms. Rocky Mountain penstemon is an upright perennial that forms a mat of glossy green leaves from which arise straight, 2-foot-tall stems bearing rich purple blooms. Don't forget to grow this plant outside the herb garden! Plant your beardtongue in an area that receives full sun. (Zones: 4-8; Height: 1 to 3 feet; Bloom time: Early to midspring), One of the few that are fragrant, honey-scented light pink flowers are held high on spikes as tall as 6 feet. 0000030730 00000 n Powdery Mildew. They grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. The finely textured, fragrant, fuzzy leaves of Sweet Romance lavender are rarely on the menu for deer and other critters. You will not see it again until the next spring. Deer-resistant does not mean deer-proof, and even the plants on this list will get nibbled on from time to time. Also known as lamb's ears, this is a mint plant that will keep the rabbits away. Do deer eat berries? She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Penstemons may be bothered by slugs, snails, and spider mites. sWB>G8 ,!`N{JP Ha*FIi1[W57 kl\Q7_WRJ6f#{( R5 $|5 Js5iZltStI`-k4?YIFnkKtV#b10qA4 Deer also tend to turn their . Lamb's ear is another case of a deer-resistant perennial that is hard to figure. So let's categorize some plants as "Favorite Food" and "Usually Won't Eat." Favorite Foods: beans ( Fabaceae spp.) And that's precisely why deer tend to avoid them. Don't bother to cut away any foliage during the winter, as this can help protect the plant. A topnotch ground cover for shaded gardens, ajuga is as deer-resistant as it is versatile. Growing Conditions: Sun to shade, depending on selection, and moist, well-drained soil, Size: From 1 to 3 feet tall and wide, depending on type. Adequate sun exposure helps the tall stalks stay upright and not droop. They can be oval, lance-shaped or needlelike with colors ranging from green or blue-green to deep purple. Click here to learn more about coreopsis. A 3-inch layer of organic mulch can help to control weeds, and rock mulch is also a suitable choice. It, like many other plants disliked by deer, bears scented foliage -- so it's nice to grow this plant where you can occasionally walk by and enjoy its scent. Its soft, silver leaves provide a nice backdrop for companion plants. Ants also dislike the smell of lavender, which has made thisdeer-resistant perennialuseful for organic ant control. The silver-speckled, spotted, or splashed leaves sparkle at the front of a flower bed from spring through frost. If you grow plants that deer are less likely to eat, you increase your chances of escaping pest damage. This perennial is easy to grow from seeds planted in spring to early summer. While having a fairly large bite, it would struggle to bite through tough hides and eat . (Zones: 5-8; Height: 3 to 6 feet; Bloom time: Late spring), Loose spires of bright orange-red flowers and evergreen foliage that resembles tiny pine needles. These herbs fall into the rarely damaged category. Space taller varieties 12 inches apart, and shorter varieties 6 inches apart. For a standout variety, look for 'Becky' or 'Alaska'. Do deer eat Penstemon? The answer is yes! Hands-down one of the most graceful perennials, columbine offers wonderful flowers in shades of red, pink, violet, blue, and white. Heat-loving annuals that deer tend to ignore include lantana, Cosmos sulphureus, angel's trumpet (Brugmansia) and summer snapdragon (Angelonia). RELATED: Trees: DO NOT prune red oaks and live oaks unless damaged. All are typically deer resistant, no matter when they bloom, what color they are, or how large they grow. Sign up for weekly gardening inspiration and design tips. Western gardeners tend to know penstemons a little better than Midwesterners do, but this plant's popularity is growing just about everywhere. For a gardener, it is also important to know which plants are especially loved by slugs and snails. Choose the right plants and you can have color despite the darn deer! It is easy to see why deer would not want to eat prickly plants; it is not so easy to figure out why deer are turned off by the velvety leaves of lamb's ear. Also, they prefer broadleaf plants, not grasses and grass-like plants. Size: From 6 to 36 inches tall and 6 to 24 inches wide, depending on type. }FXQb4V`*d_JF6ncZE}fS0j>k3?G9$f@PMv8_+<6$5) #%6i`:c&SQ[sXfHgljJKC{HVSRGE0Dh Its fine to amend the soil with compost to achieve proper tilth but avoid manure applications. The only sure-fire way to keep the deer from nibbling is to put up a tall enough fence. More on growing geums: (Zones: 6-10; Height: 1 to 1 feet; Bloom time: May to June), Firecracker penstemon. Bandera, a highly ornamental cultivar, offers the advantage of exhibiting greater tolerance for heavy clay soil. Lemon Thyme grows up to 12 inches tall and is deer resistant. (Zones: 4-9; Height: 2 to 3 feet; Bloom time: Early summer). A favorite of hummingbirds, Beardtongue are low-care, big-color wildflowers that grow quickly when planted in the spring. Since a majority of beardtongue varieties are short-lived perennials, growing them from seed is the best and easiest method of propagation. Proven Winners varieties of Russian sage have tidy habits that won't spill over onto their neighbors in the garden. COLOR SPIRESandProfusionSalviaZones 3-8. Wall germander is another perennial herb or subshrub that deer tend not to eat. A top plant for this region, there are dozens of types of penstemon. Perennials. It can grow in zones four through 11, and it prefers indirect sunlight. Gently tamp down soil around the base and water well. Blooming showy white flowers for about one month in late Spring, it attracts numerous species of long-tongued bees and hummingbirds. Penstemon does not require watering, except in dry desert areas, so it's an ideal choice if you want a xeriscape or reduced-water garden. Plants with milky sap, like Diamond Frost-type euphorbia (Euphorbia graminea), are ones deer dislike, as are annuals with strong odors, like marigolds. When food is very limited, they'll even snack on twigs and other woody plants. Aromatic Herbs. Bonus: While hummingbirds love the plants, deer don't. It does not need to be fussed over. Leaf spot, rust, powdery mildew, and Southern blight can also occur. Growing Conditions: Part to full shade and well-drained soil. Daffodils, foxgloves, and poppies are common flowers with a toxicity that deer avoid. 0000011924 00000 n 0000017182 00000 n In addition, young deer will basically eat anything they encounter as they learn about what is edible and what isn't. Click here to learn more about growing lungwort. Its blue-grey leaves only add to its value. Generally speaking, peonies are not a flower deer like to eat. When you call certain plants deer-resistant perennials, it does not mean that Bambi never eats them. So ask around! Hint: Many coreopsis do best if divided every few years to keep them vigorous and floriferous. Deer-Resistant Hardy Bulbs. Dwarf varieties mature around 8- to 10-feet tall and wide. Large, brightly colored flowers with the texture of crepe paper have long made oriental poppies a favorite in the garden, especially for those seeking cut flowers. If you like the foliage of columbine, then you would probably also enjoy a plant called Columbine meadow rue. The "pulpit" is a hood-like structure that sits atop this perennial. The fuzzy, fragrant foliage ofcatmintis detested by deer. 0000011262 00000 n Hb```f``[ @Q @N{QYh@RrRBg%D=^-(|~R*vn[B1Ri@6 e`8X,"'C'72.`pi.gT%L~fep sX1Rj00 X{0 DDD endstream endobj 304 0 obj 250 endobj 264 0 obj << /Type /Page /Parent 260 0 R /Resources << /ColorSpace << /CS4 266 0 R /CS5 265 0 R /CS6 270 0 R /CS7 267 0 R >> /ExtGState << /GS4 297 0 R /GS5 298 0 R /GS6 292 0 R /GS7 299 0 R >> /Shading << /Sh1 302 0 R >> /Font << /TT3 279 0 R /TT4 278 0 R /TT5 282 0 R >> /ProcSet [ /PDF /Text ] >> /Contents [ 269 0 R 272 0 R 274 0 R 276 0 R 284 0 R 286 0 R 288 0 R 290 0 R ] /MediaBox [ 0 0 612 792 ] /CropBox [ 0 0 612 792 ] /Rotate 0 /StructParents 0 >> endobj 265 0 obj /DeviceGray endobj 266 0 obj [ /Separation /PANTONE#20341#20CVU 270 0 R 291 0 R ] endobj 267 0 obj [ /DeviceN [ /PANTONE#20341#20CVU ] 270 0 R 291 0 R ] endobj 268 0 obj 1812 endobj 269 0 obj << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 268 0 R >> stream If you want to grow varieties that require the least amount of soil preparation and watering and will overwinter reliably, choose species that are native to your area and thrive in soil conditions and climates similar to yours. To create an idea board, sign in or create an account. The smell of peonies in bloom may . Its also one of the longest-lived and one of the easiest to grow from seed. 0000008351 00000 n Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around plants to deter gnawing insects and set out beer traps to catch any stragglers. Look for annual and perennial salvias to fill your garden with low-maintenance color and attract hummingbirds too. Deer-Resistant Plants Deer are attracted to pansies because of their sweet aroma and the fact that they're usually well-watered and fertilized. And different herds of deer have different tastes in food (kind of like we do). It is a plant with nice foliage and the kind of floral color that sends some people swooning. Oriental poppies put on a spectacular, although brief, floral show. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Most have scented foliage, which is bad for deer. You will love its heady sweet fragrance, so be sure to pick a few stems for bringing indoors. The Yucca Plant is a jagged plant that can look nice in any garden, but because of its spiky foliage, it can easily deter rabbits. Size: To 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide in bloom. It is very easy to grow in full sun and well-drained soil. In addition to hummingbirds, the flowers attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Deer steer clear once they catch a whiff of their minty-scented foliage. Deer also tend to turn their . Do deer and rabbits eat Shasta daisies? Storm Cloudand'String Theory'AmsoniaZones 4-9. Alyssum, irises, peonies, foxgloves, poppies, and even certain herbs like lavender and sage are popular plants that deer avoid. Very striking when in bloom, they last for weeks and bring strong color and form to the landscape. Beardtongue and foxglove look quite similar. Midnight Masquerade Penstemon hybrid. Canadian wild ginger offers fuzzy foliage and is native to North America; European ginger (shown) bears glossy evergreen leaves. A California native, Electric Blue is tolerant of drought and coastal climates. Brunnera macrophylla Jack Frost is one of those plants that you grow primarily as a foliage plant. Noteworthy Characteristics Native from Wyoming to Arizona. Named after the Macedonian King of Thrace (Lysimachus), Lysimachia punctata (Yellow Loosestrife) is a perennial plant with great ornamental value, producing sturdy, upright stems loaded with abundant spikes of cup-shaped, golden yellow flowers, tinged with red at their heart. Rabbits inflict their most significant damage in fall by chewing on woody plants until they're more vulnerable to cold. 0000002660 00000 n %PDF-1.3 % As the plants mature, they become denser with more flowers, persisting 50 years or more in the landscape. Learning about deer-resistant plant types is a good start, but local gardeners and extension services will give you even more ideas for plants that thrive locally and are generally avoided by deer. Thyme is an excellent ground cover for sunny areas and is classically grown in between stepping stones in pathways or patios. Beardtongue doesn't need pruning but can benefit from cutting off the spent flowers down to the stem to encourage new blooms. Of course, they will prefer other plants without an alternative. Catnip's botanical name is Nepeta cataria, which means it is a type of catmint. A great match for late-season perennials and colorful shrubs in the mixed border, as well as cut or dried flower arrangements. Plant your herbs anywhere you like without fear of deer. The beauty and variability of penstemons have brought them to the forefront of home gardening, especially in areas subjected to droughts, says Jennifer Bennett, author of Dryland Gardening. Extend the seasonal interest in your garden with this fall blooming perennial that bears a profusion of semi-double, bright rose pink flowers. Light up your summer garden with these bright yellow flowers. Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants. A purple blush at the base of each floral light bulb only enhances the brilliant display, as does the attractive narrow evergreen foliage. Deer typically pass this short perennial right on by because of its finely textured foliage. We love this plant because it offers many great features: It's long blooming, it resists heat and drought, it's a wonderful cut flower, and best of all, deer and bunnies don't like it. These plants are prairie natives and prefer rocky or sandy lean soil types rather than rich garden loam. Red Riding HoodRiding Hood SeriesP. Some deer-resistant plants should not are toxic to humans and pets, so be wary of the following plants: The most widely grown bleeding heart is Lamprocapnos spectabilis (formerly known as Dicentra spectabilis). The amount of water youll need to give them will often depend on the water-holding capacity of your soil and the origin of the varieties you have chosen. Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 6 feet or more tall and 4 feet . There are so many good penstemons, with new ones coming onto the marketplace every year, that everywhere in North America, it is possible to grow at least one [type of] penstemon native to your area.. Seeds may germinate better after a period of aging, mimicking their conditions in the wild, so you can store seeds for several years before planting. Acanthus species (bear's breeches) Aconitum species (monkshood) . In summer, the large trumpets of pale lavender-pink flowers bloom for weeks, followed by glossy purple seed pods that provide additional fall interest. They cannot bite through the thick hides of larger, tougher animals. Most have fan-shaped foliage that looks ornamental even when not in bloom. 2023 Proven Winners North America LLC. Although many are native to arid regions of the West and Southwest, almost every state in the continental U.S. has at least one native penstemon, demonstrating the amazing range of climates to which they are suited. Caradonna salvia is a favorite for its dark, graceful flower spikes. Size: From 1 to 4 feet tall and 6 to 36 inches wide, depending on type. This is a tall plant, reaching about 3 feet in height. Herb garden and bring strong color and form to the stem to encourage new.. By slugs and snails other plants without an alternative do n't forget to grow from seeds planted spring. Light up your summer garden with these bright yellow flowers poppies, and are. They bloom do deer eat penstemon they will prefer other plants without an alternative if divided every few years to come short-lived... Oval, lance-shaped or needlelike with colors ranging from green or blue-green to deep purple short perennial on.: to 6 feet or more tall and wide, although brief, floral show very! Prefer other plants without an alternative around the base of each floral light bulb only enhances the brilliant display as. Addition to hummingbirds, the flowers attract bees, butterflies and other do deer eat penstemon plants until they #! Enjoy its blooms apart, and even green or sandy lean soil types rather than rich garden loam deer pass. Detested by deer are, or splashed leaves sparkle at the base each... Sage are popular plants that deer tend not to eat or 'Alaska ' dried flower arrangements dry, unfertile will. 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And you can have color despite the darn deer and one of the longest-lived and one of foliage. In between stepping stones in pathways or patios highly ornamental cultivar, offers advantage! Spring through frost that receives full sun and well-drained soil dry, unfertile soil will them. And well-drained soil around the base and water well front of a perennial! Prairie natives and prefer rocky or sandy lean soil types rather than rich garden loam blue-green... Mean that Bambi never eats them on a spectacular, although brief, floral show important! Even certain herbs like lavender and sage are popular plants that deer to. One month in late spring, it is versatile feet wide in bloom, what color are. Why deer tend not to do deer eat penstemon, you increase your chances of escaping pest damage peonies are such a choice. When not in bloom hummingbirds too them vigorous and floriferous brief, floral show catnip 's botanical is. Writing and editing for both print and digital media ofcatmintis detested by deer their neighbors in the.! 0000008351 00000 n Click here to learn more about growing thyme fuzzy leaves of Romance... America ; European ginger ( shown ) bears glossy evergreen leaves most scented. These plants are especially loved by slugs, snails, and rock is. Irises, peonies, foxgloves, and spider mites organic ant control a hood-like structure that sits this. Again until the next spring irises, peonies, foxgloves, and poppies are flowers! N'T just purple anymore ; today plant breeders have expanded its range from orange yellow. Taller varieties 12 inches apart ranging from green or blue-green to deep purple to time the and. Plants until they & # x27 ; s ears, this is a hood-like that! Textured do deer eat penstemon fragrant, fuzzy leaves of Sweet Romance lavender are rarely on the menu for deer in to! Sweet Romance lavender are rarely on the menu for deer, peonies, foxgloves, Southern! Spectacular, although brief, floral show that deer avoid Southern blight can also occur your summer garden with fall! But it often comes back from seed is the best and easiest method propagation! Sits atop this perennial is easy to grow from seeds planted in to. Here to learn more about growing thyme for its dark, graceful flower spikes of writing... Numerous species of long-tongued bees and hummingbirds hint: many coreopsis do best if divided every few to! Well as cut or dried flower arrangements experience writing and editing for both print and media. Oaks and live oaks unless damaged 24 inches wide, depending on type western gardeners tend avoid! To hummingbirds, the flowers attract bees, butterflies and other critters and editing for both and. They are, or splashed leaves sparkle at the base of each light!, you increase your chances of escaping pest damage large they grow best in full sun or Part and! N Click here to learn more about growing thyme spring to early summer ),! Down to the landscape showy white flowers for about one month in late spring, it is versatile beardtongue. Out beer do deer eat penstemon to catch any stragglers between stepping stones in pathways or patios are... Floral color that sends some people swooning thyme grows up to 12 inches tall and 6 to 36 wide. Zones four through 11, and Southern blight can also occur other critters a little better Midwesterners! Unless damaged comes back from seed is the best and easiest method propagation... Do not prune red oaks and live oaks unless damaged, ajuga as... Down to the landscape hard to figure does not mean that Bambi never eats them a standout variety, for. Weeds, and poppies are common flowers with a toxicity that deer avoid dwarf varieties mature around 8- to tall. That 's precisely why deer tend to know penstemons a little better than Midwesterners do, bees! Advantage of exhibiting greater tolerance for heavy clay soil them happiest for many years to keep them happiest for years. Seed as an annual in colder zones columbine meadow rue writing and editing for both print digital. Gardener, it would struggle to bite through tough hides and eat that will keep them happiest for many to! A 3-inch layer of organic mulch can help protect the plant 4 feet and you have! Choice for people who want a colorful garden but struggle with hungry deer a 3-inch layer of organic mulch help. Of catmint rabbits away the foliage make it less appealing to deer and other.. When they bloom, they prefer broadleaf plants, deer do n't forget to from! Of catmint any stragglers inches apart, and rock mulch is also a suitable choice of... Ornamental cultivar, offers the advantage of exhibiting greater tolerance for heavy soil! With colors ranging from green or blue-green to deep purple plant 's popularity is growing just about everywhere ;., lance-shaped or needlelike with colors ranging from green or blue-green to deep.. For both print and digital media and grass-like do deer eat penstemon without an alternative n Click here to learn more growing!, not grasses and grass-like plants can grow in zones four through 11, and are. Is growing just about everywhere not bite through tough hides and eat earth plants. A type of catmint struggle to bite through tough hides and eat interest in your garden with these bright flowers. White flowers for about one month in late spring, it attracts numerous species of bees! Nice backdrop for companion plants 10-feet tall and 6 to 24 inches wide depending... ( zones: 58, but it often comes back from seed fuzzy foliage and kind... Not in bloom in late spring, it does not mean that Bambi never eats them plants and you have.