Tricks of the Trade

April 2008

DEER RESISTANT PLANTS

The subject is those” dearly beloved” creatures that ravage your garden.  People often ask me “Maureen, why is it that in spring and summer, when there is so many plants for the deer to eat in the woods and fields, that they munch on my garden?”  My answer is “would you rather have your salad with or without dressing?” The good organics that we apply to the garden make everything tastier; therefore, we try to plant as many species that are deer resistant. So let’s keep our fingers crossed that the following plants are still unappetizing to them.

Deer resistant trees and shrubs:

Fraser fir, Serviceberry, Flowering Dogwood, Kousa Dogwood, American Holly, Norway Spruce, White and Colorado Blue Spruce. Scots Pine, Japanese Black Pine, Magnolia, Mugo Pine, Lilac, Barberry, Boxwood, Blue Mist Shrub, Broom, Daphne, Forsythia, Native Mountain Laurel, Leucothae.

Deer resistant perennials:

Achillea, Allium, Asclepias, Astilbe, Artemisia, Campanula, Lily of the Valley, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Bleeding Heart, Foxglove, Globe Thistle (the reason for this one is obvious – ouch!), Ferns, Perennial Geranium, Ornamental grasses, Iris, Lavender, Lupine, Mint, Peony, Salvia, Lambs Ears, Thyme, Veronica

Deer resistant annuals:

I hope this list is of help to you but do not say I lied, if your furry four-legged “friend” (and I say that with reservation) comes into your garden and eats your Zinnias!