During the winter, deer browse on buds and twigs of woody plants, especially when snow covers other herbaceous growth. While that’s fine in the forest, deer browsing can leave the plantings around our homes looking sparse and misshapen. Deer repellents, plant selection, placement and physical barriers are all tools that can help lessen or prevent deer browsing.
Deer Repellents
There are a variety of deer repellents on the market. Experiment to find the ones that work best for you. Note that some are based on smells that are intended to repel deer, while others depend on unpleasant tastes, like pepper. Reapply according to the label. Using a repellent makes it less likely for deer to browse your plants, but can’t guarantee complete protection.
Plant Selection
Plant selection is an important part of gardening in deer country. Very few plants are completely unpalatable to deer, though boxwoods, daffodils, and ornamental grasses come close. To find the best options for your yard, look around your neighborhood to see what the deer are leaving alone, talk to folks at your local nursery, contact local Master Gardener chapters, or look online. We like the Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder or the list from Rutger’s Extension Service.
Some plants that we have had good success with include:
- Ornamental grasses
- Sedges
- Boxwoods
- Colorado blue spruce
- Cryptomeria sp.
- spirea
- Ferns (though if there are high populations, they will nip the tender tips off in spring)
- Lavender
- Russian sage
- Catmint (Nepeta sp.)
- Daffodils
- Lamb’s ear
- Lenten rose
- Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum sp.)
- Amsonia sp.
- Colorado blue spruce
Plant Placement
You may notice that deer travel in certain patterns through your yard. In those areas, use plants that are the most resistant to deer damage (ex. boxwood, ornamental grasses, etc.). Deer may shy away from areas of higher activity, like a front door or near a busy street, allowing you to use a wider variety of plants. For those of you that spend months in another location, deer can get very bold when a home is unoccupied, and so the most resistant plants would be best suited for that landscape.
Barriers
For young plants or particularly special plants in your landscape, you can put up temporary barriers to deer browsing using netting or wire cages. Wire cages around trees and shrubs should be about 6′ tall. Smaller shrubs can have shorter cages, but should be closed off at the top. These can be removed in spring when food sources are more plentiful. You can also use these barriers on trees and shrubs that will grow taller to give them protection until they outgrow the reach of most deer.
Feeding More Than the Birds
Many people love feeding the birds, but be aware that bird feeders can attract deer, as well. If you see deer tracks around your bird feeder, consider hanging them higher where deer can’t reach them.
If the deer population is high enough, and they are hungry enough, your landscape may still experience some deer damage. But with the right mix of plant choices and protection, you are much more likely to enjoy a beautiful, thriving landscape—without turning it into a deer buffet!
Let us help!
We can help you install wire cages, deer fencing, and schedule you for regular applications of deer repellent if you would like help protecting your landscaping plantings
