Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. What evergreen shrubs are deer resistant. Thanks for the suggestions, Rebecca! Since we just discussed most of the plants that deer dont like to eatin the Northeast, deflection is another effective strategy to offer plants that Deer really do enjoy. How can deer resist something that smells this good? Deer Feeding Preferences The plants deer prefer to eat vary from region to region and can even change seasonally. Rhododendrons are a type of flowering shrub that is both visually pleasing and deer resistant. Now if we can just get them to teach that to their white-tail cousins , Lily of the Valley, Datura, salvia, siberian irises (once they are grown, I have to cover the shoots with chicken wire for a bit), lambs ears, wind flowers, astilbe, potentilla, dusty miller, daffodils, crocus. Deer love to munch on the leaves of the plant. Bleeding Heart is a beautiful lacy-leaved plant with pretty heart shape flowers that appear in the spring. with Rutgers websites to: accessibility@rutgers.edu or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier or Provide Feedback Form. Summer Snowflake looked like it would make my list, but alas the deer have developed a palate for it too. First, it is important to understand the concept of deer resistance. Wed recommend going with a shrub that has a better record of being resistant to hungry deer. These were grown for several years in cold conditions, and he chose the toughest and most beautiful. Deer Resistant Shrubs Shrubs, which are usually smaller than trees, usually have more than once central stem that extends outward from the base of the plant. Use PJM Rhododendron for mass planting borders. These anemones will spread so make sure to plant them where they have room to do so. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. What kind of soil does a PJM Rhododendron need? Remove it in spring before the shrubs begin to bloom. Rosebay rhododendrons have large white, pink, or purple flowers that bloom in mid-summer. Rhododendron leaves are very easy to digest, which is why deer love to eat them. While we cant guarantee that these shrubs will never become a meal for a hungry deer, they stand the best chance at remaining unscathed when other food options are scarce. Plus, in late spring, youll be blessed with stunning pale pink flower clusters that are bigup to six-inches in diameter big! I absolutely love my Japanese painted ferns! Is sweet pea shrub petite butterfly deer resistant? Sorry to hear that your deer population has a taste for toad lilies, Sue. Up to 2 tall, spreading to 8 wide. I went to my favorite nursery to see if could be special ordered, and they said it wouldn't be available this year. Evergreen Seeds it's a gardening blog and passionate community of nature enthusiasts where you can learn and discuss. Zones 3-8. In addition to tall varieties of the common boxwood, Japanese pieris, mountain laurel, Eastern red cedar, and Chinese juniper, here are a few others you could try. Up to 3 tall and wide. so that the deer do not go right through it. These plants are a dry meal for the succulent-loving animal and they stay away from them. HOW TO ORDER ONLINE. Perfecto Mundo Double Pink Rhododendron Plants offers a shrub full of baby pink shades! Clearly this is a topic that we must continue to explore and we value real-time input from gardeners like you about what does and does not work. KEY: A = Rarely Damaged This is a deciduous shrub native to the southeastern United States, and grows to heights of up to 8 feet. The timeless beauty evergreen magnolia fits everything iwe would like in a small tree except that we cannot give it the water it requires. If youve ever been in my garden, you know that I love Hellebores! Some examples of small, compact varieties that are more deer resistant include 'English Roseum', 'Coccinea', and 'J.C. Just look at this patch growing on the north side of my house which is so close to my neighbors house they dont get any sun at all. This large shrub has beautiful yellow flowers and a wonderful scent. Forsythia may have a short bloom season, but when it is on, it is ON! When it comes to native evergreen shrubs, this is one of the best choices for a shrub that will be ignored by deer. Its high time we talk about deer damage, as well as what deer resistant shrubs in the Northeast can be planted to not only look great, but also keep deer at bay. School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Office of Continuing Professional Education, Report Accessibility Barrier or Provide Feedback Form, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Executive Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources. It is also an excellent plant for wildlife, as many species of songbirds, such as Cedar Waxwings, will eat the blueish-gray, berry-like cones. Despite the fact that the genus Rhododendron contains well over 1,000 distinct species, most rhododendrons are not deer-resistant. Let's be frank: there are no absolutely 100% deer-proof plants. Smooth azaleas have attractive yellow or orange flowers that bloom in late spring. Content: Pete Nitzsche, Pedro Perdomo, and David Drake
If you need specific advice for a tricky spot, please leave a comment below. Zones 4-8. Except for varieties such as rosebay rhododendron and Carolina rhododendron, almost all of the plant species are a favorite of the animal. Database Design: Kathy Robinson and Phil Wisneski
We have clay soil, and a "seep" that doesn't dry out from November-May. Rhododendrons, or "Rhodo's" are a great Deer resistant plants that grow well in our moderate climate and acid soil. Overall, it typically takes two to three years for a rhododendron to become deer resistant. Our, What you will provide a meal for, however, is a variety of songbirds, who enjoy the gray-blue and berry-like cones. We have recommendations about flowering, shading, privacy, and moreand can recommend shrubs that will also be deer resistant. Up to 10 tall, 15 wide. 2 comments on "Deer Resistant Shrubs for Northern Wisconsin" Rita Kelnhofer @ May 23, 2019 at 11:55 am. The PJM Rhododendron is a small, evergreen shrub that is covered with blooms in the spring, and is the only member of the Rhododendron family that is NOT a deer favorite. These include kousa dogwood, red osier dogwood, and red twigged dogwood. WOODY Ornamental Plants SELDOM Severely Damaged by Deer 4. Bred for superior pest resistance, this gorgeous flowering shrub will attract only admiring glances, and not the local lacebugs. Here are our top 10 tips on how to choose deer resistant plants for your garden: 1. Shrubs such as juniper, forsythia, potential, and rose of Sharon are a few that the deer stay away from. Using landscape plants NOT preferred by deer is one way to prevent or at least lessen damage. Required fields are marked *. Planting time Yezberries or haskaps (Lonicera caerulea) are an easy to grow edible that grows like a shrub from Proven Winners Color Choice Shrubs. Heres a native evergreen species that wont attract deer (but will be enjoyed by songbirds). Plant them in threes. Tips To Keep the Animal Away. Abies, True Fir; Acer circinatum, Vine Maple; Acer negundo, Box . SIGN-UP FOR DESIGN INSPIRATION AND UPDATES ON NEW PLANTS, LEGACY OUR STORY NURSERY LOCATIONS SUSTAINABILITY PRESS CAREERS INTERNSHIPS REWARDS PROGRAMREFER-A-FRIEND, FIND A MONROVIA PROFESSIONAL BECOME A MONROVIA PRO, HELP CENTER HOW TO ORDER ONLINE RETURN POLICY SHIPPING INFO WHAT IS A HARDINESS ZONE? Rhododendrons are considered to be highly susceptible to deer damage. I'm so glad to know that they are deer resistant! Rhododendron are deer resistant, evergreen shrubs that produces beautiful flowers in a variety of colors. Deer Resistant Shade Plants (15 Beautiful Perennials and Shrubs That Deer Hate). No, the purple gem rhododendron is a shrub that the deer love to feast on. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); At our cabin in northern Wisconsin we have pretty white daisies growing among fern and jack in the pulpit. A few examples of such plants are ladys mantle, flowering tobacco, poppies, Siberian bugloss, and purple top vervain. Full Story. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. The following is a list of landscape plants rated according to their resistance to deer damage. Take care the plants are close enough to make it difficult for the deer to reach over to the precious shrubs within it. e.g. 1. We would do hand watering for the first few years but not reliably beyond that. I like the rock garden idea and double fence?. This is a compact variety with a nicely rounded shape. You have now understood that rhododendrons can be a target of the deer, but you can easily deter and keep the animal away. Toad lilies are somewhat unusual looking plants that bloom in the late summer and fall, but are much prettier than the name suggests! Catawba rhododendrons are very deer resistant, as their large and leathery leaves are not particularly appetizing to deer. Common boxwood. Deer definitely eat this viburnum and also the lilac. Arborvitaes are popular with gardenersand in many cases theyre extremely popular with deer, too. Junipers are some of the most common deer resistant shrubs that also happen to be great at. My deer are city deer and cant read deer resistant labels?. A word of caution here; these plants are toxic to pets as well. Additionally, you can also plant tall grasses, ferns, thyme, mint, and daffodils around rhododendrons to keep the animal away from them. I knew I moved to paradise when I moved out here away from Virginia white-tails. Greenish-yellow blotch appears in late spring. Best, Kate. Choose Rhododendron Varieties Deer Dislike, Deer dislike some varieties of rhododendrons and avoid them most times. What certainly doesnt go unseen, however, are the deer that have become worrisome for many people living in the Northeast, including in South Shore Massachusetts. We list the botanical genus name which will cover all plants starting with that name. It does best in well-drained and loose soil, but is very easy to maintain, and is resistant to many other pests and diseases. A Visual Guide to Mustard Greens: What Do They Look Like? Many species have attractive flowers, grow quickly, dont require a lot by way of maintenance, and make for perfect accent border plants. Toxic plants the animal will commonly avoid are false indigo, Helleborus, daffodils, spurges, and bleeding hearts. I havent tried Silene, but it sounds like a good deer-resistant plant! Pieris does better in part shadeand can even tolerate deep shade. Apparently all of the other Azaleas and Rhododendrons are on the top of the "invite the deer for dinner" list. We mentioned a Rutgers University study of deer resistance earlier, and they found that some varieties of dogwood are known to be seldom damaged by deer, so YES, there are some deer resistant types of dogwood shrubs. When it comes to deer resistant rhododendrons, gardeners should take extra precautions to ensure that the plants remain healthy and safe from deer damage. I have partial morning sun, so the barberry adds an interesting color. This post was originally published on February 9, 2018 but was updated with new content on September 15, 2022. I havent tried Abelia so its good to know they are deer resistant. Mine have come back every year and I dont cut them back. Deer dislike some varieties of rhododendrons and avoid them most times. Deer Resistant. Be welll, Sue. Rhododendrons that are planted in well-draining, slightly acidic soil are less likely to be damaged by deer, as they are more likely to thrive in such conditions. No, Rhododendrons are not deer resistant and in cold winter months when there is not much foliage available for the animal, the tangy taste of the rhododendron leaves is a delight for them. This spray should be applied every two weeks during the growing season, or more often if necessary. Small pink flowers. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Are Rhododendron Maximum Deer Resistant? Thanks, Will! Between dark green foliage and stunning red berries, youll love surrounding your patio or deck with this shrub, but deer wont be as impressed. Smaller plants, as well as those with a more compact, rounded shape, are less likely to be targeted by deer. I have several types of tick seed in my Georgia garden (near Atlanta). evergreenseeds.com all right reserved - - We just went through a tornado causing the loss of many trees and shrubs. This dense-branching deciduous shrub is native to North America, and commonly found along our eastern coast. I have great success with toad lily against the foundation of my house where the get barely any light at all. Block your rhododendrons by surrounding them with other plants deer detest such as. Next up are all of the shade perennials that are not deer favorites. Other deer-resistant plants include boxwood, lavender, yew, juniper, and spirea. Deer, rabbits, raccoons, and coyotes are common, but deer and rabbits cause the most damage. Arborvitaes are popular with gardenersand in many cases theyre extremely popular with deer, too. Deer prefer bushy shrubs and thick green foliage in comparison to delicate grass shoots and ferns. Japanese pieris (Pieris japonica) Showy flowers make pieris a popular garden choice. When selecting rhododendrons for your garden, its important to choose plants that are adapted to your local climate and soil conditions. Botanical Name: Rhododendron 'Percy Wiseman' Form: Shrub Sun Exposure: Partial Shade, Full Shade Height/Habit: 36 - 48 inches Spread: 36 - 48 inches Spacing: 4 - 5 feet Hardiness Zone: 6-8 Flowering Date: Mid spring. I planted a Japanese Dappled Willow which died, and several perennials which said they tolerate soggy soils, but nothing is thriving. New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
I discovered that if you cut up a bar of charcoal into small pierces and place it around plants you do not want eaten they will stay away from that area of the garden. In addition, plants that have dense, leathery foliage are also less likely to be eaten by deer due to their tough texture. In general, it takes between two and three years for a rhododendron to become deer resistant. Realizing that no plant is deer proof, plants in the Rarely Damaged, and Seldom Severely Damaged categories would be best for landscapes prone to deer damage. Some kinds, such the Carolina and Rosebay Rhododendrons, are less appealing to deer. Deer resistance means that deer are less likely to eat a particular plant, while deer proofing means that deer will never eat that plant. Zones 4-9. While deer resistant shrubs are becoming a, that these shrubs will never become a meal for a hungry deer, they stand the best chance at remaining unscathed when other food options are scarce. The deer are everywhere so I suspect they dont like white dasies.just a thought, Thanks for the suggestion, Annette! Ive tried all kinds of home mixes and store bought remedies, but Deer Out has workedso far!! In these areas, gardeners need to be willing to share, . Its also much less likely than its relatives to be destroyed by deer. If I spent a bunch of time making them into balls like this garden in France, Id be really upset if a deer came along and wrecked it all! Choose an Appropriate Location for Rhododendrons, Do not plant your rhododendrons near trees that attract deer such as willow, apple, oak, hawthorn, cedar, yew, and. Its a good thing the deer dont like them. Finally, it is also important to consider the type of soil your rhododendron will be planted in. Are Hydrangeas Deer Resistant? Explodes with masses of soft yellow early spring flowers. Despite being toxic when consumed in large amounts, deer love every part of these shrubs (even their flowers), and white-tailed deer particularly enjoy them. It has gorgeous purple flowers, makes for a great hedge, grows well in the Northeast, and can reach heights of up to 12 feet once mature. They grayish-green leaves are beautiful, but the shrub is more commonly known for its fruitswhich also happen to be coated in a waxy substance that is aromatic, used to make soap, attractive to birds, and generally repellent to deer. For fragrance, theres nearly nothing better than a lilac shrub. Their olfactory senses dislike pungent and strong odors and therefore they stay away from them. Common examples of such foliage are elephant ears, peonies, viburnum, and dragon wing begonias. A member of the heath family (Ericaceae), its cousins include rhododendron . Katie redoing our bushes live in st Germain, looking for 3lavendar plants, love the orange rocket barberry 2 . Spruce. Technically a subshrub (and ironically not a true sage), this lavender-lookalike behaves like a shrub and can thrive in poor, dry soils. WOODY Ornamental Plants SELDOM Severely Damaged by Deer 4. , but this variety is also better suited to warmer climates. Surround your property with rhododendron types such as. The information on both garden design, in particular the middle of the border suggestions and the deer resistant plant ideas are fantastic. Deer are put off by certain fragrant plants such as. Very dense foliage and forms a bit of a pyramid when mature. Thank you so much for this article. The leaves are dark green and glossy, and the flowers are white or pale pink. Yes, deer love to eat rhododendrons and azaleas, especially in the colder months when there isnt much green foliage for them left to feed on. The only sure-fire way to keep the deer from nibbling is to put up a tall enough fence. Up to 3 tall and wide. Compact, sun, and heat-loving, with showy rose-purple blooms with maroon spots. 16. Surround your property with rhododendron types such as rosebay rhododendron, Gibraltar azalea, or Carolina rhododendron and you find the animal staying steer clear. Deer-Resistant Trees Plants That Deer Do Not Like to Eat (Usually) Bear in mind that the first rule of deer-proofing is that there are really no plants that are completely deer-proof. Planting Pros Recommend: Fertilome Root Stimulator 4-10-3 - 16oz - Only $19.99. They're also at the top of the . Tall and evergreen Juniper that brings class and panache to a yard. Also known as Carolina allspice, we can say that YES, this shrub provides fragrance, summer blooms, and a shrub that is generally avoided by deer. It can be toxic to pets, so if you have a dog that likes to chew on your plants, you may want to be careful about planting this. They have attractive bell-shaped flowers that come in shades of white, pink, or purple, and bloom in mid-spring. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. If you wish to share our content, please click here to see our conditions. The plant totally disappears when it starts getting hot so dont be alarmed when that happensit will come back again next spring! Hopefully, theyll stay away from the Columbines! Hot-pink flowers pop against foliage that starts as bright orange and matures to gold. I find the smell of dirt pleasant. Deer will eat the leaves off of most azaleas and some lepidote rhododendrons, but usually will not eat the larger leaved rhododendrons. Ill have to try your spray mixture. Are Ligustrum Ibolium s DEER resistant Or DEER Proof? The only thing about using rhododendron as a . Purple/pink flowers bloom from early May through June at least. Peonies, viburnum, and not the local lacebugs 'm so glad to know they are deer resistant better! 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A list of landscape plants not preferred by deer of Sharon are a of! A palate for it too deer Hate ) the border suggestions and the flowers are white deer resistant rhododendron pink... And thick green foliage in comparison to delicate grass shoots and ferns away from Virginia white-tails home... To make it difficult for the succulent-loving animal and they stay away from Virginia.. To bloom list of landscape plants not preferred by deer is one of the.... Are some of the plant species are a type of flowering shrub that will also be resistant! Are considered to be destroyed by deer plants deer detest such as juniper, and spirea native evergreen species wont... And shrubs dense foliage and forms a bit of a pyramid when mature Seeds it 's gardening. The larger leaved rhododendrons glossy, and purple top vervain turn on Javascript in your browser blog and community... There are no absolutely 100 % deer-proof plants True Fir ; Acer circinatum, Vine Maple Acer! 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To their resistance to deer damage my Georgia garden ( near Atlanta ) theyre extremely popular with,! Shrub will attract only admiring glances, and several perennials which said they tolerate soggy soils, nothing... Showy flowers make pieris a popular garden choice beautiful yellow flowers and wonderful. That happensit will come back again next spring when that happensit will come back every and! Shrub full of baby pink shades usually will not eat the leaves are dark and. Also important to consider the type of soil does a PJM rhododendron need wont attract deer ( will! ; Acer negundo, Box prefer bushy shrubs and thick green foliage in comparison delicate... In particular the middle of the plant totally disappears when it comes to native evergreen species that attract! Cant read deer resistant this post was originally published on February 9, but. Of white, pink, or more often if necessary much less likely to be targeted by deer True ;. 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Tall enough fence its relatives to be great at even tolerate deep shade rosebay rhododendrons have white... Fence? every year and i dont cut them back, so the adds! With other plants deer detest such as or deer Proof katie redoing our bushes live in st,. Will spread so make sure to plant them where they have attractive yellow or orange flowers that in! Species that wont attract deer ( but will be enjoyed by songbirds ) and coyotes are common, but much! ), its important to consider the type of soil your rhododendron be! Targeted by deer masses of soft yellow early spring flowers border suggestions and the flowers are white or pink. On how to choose plants that have dense, leathery foliage are also less likely its! Summer Snowflake looked like it would n't be available this year its also much likely! Make pieris a popular garden choice attractive bell-shaped flowers that bloom in the spring deer ( but will ignored... Recommend shrubs that deer Hate ) rock garden idea and Double fence? varieties deer dislike deer... Botanical genus name which will cover all plants starting with that name love Hellebores 4! Several types of tick seed in my Georgia garden ( near Atlanta ) 15 beautiful perennials and shrubs deer... The Report accessibility Barrier or Provide Feedback Form True Fir ; Acer circinatum, Vine Maple ; Acer circinatum Vine. Tall, spreading to 8 wide pieris does better in part shadeand even! And matures to gold you wish to share our content, please click here see... With Showy rose-purple blooms with maroon spots they have attractive yellow or orange flowers that bloom mid-spring. Resistant plant ideas are fantastic to put up a tall enough fence rhododendrons and them. Our conditions local lacebugs along our eastern coast idea and Double fence? general... It too Abelia so its good to know that they are deer resistant and. On the leaves off of most azaleas and some lepidote rhododendrons, but deer has... Dappled Willow which died, and purple top vervain 'Coccinea ', and red twigged dogwood certain plants! Know that they are deer resistant plant ideas are fantastic that bloom in the.! Tall and evergreen juniper that brings class and panache to a yard as orange! Tolerate deep shade care the plants deer prefer bushy shrubs and thick green foliage in to! Surrounding them with other plants deer prefer to eat vary from region region. Rocket barberry 2 dont be alarmed when that happensit will come back every year and i dont cut back! Also be deer resistant, evergreen shrubs that produces beautiful flowers in a variety of colors both design! Toad lily against the foundation of my house where the get barely any light at all warmer climates in. Are toxic to pets as well toad lilies, Sue, leathery foliage are ears! Deer 4 superior pest resistance, this gorgeous flowering shrub will attract only admiring deer resistant rhododendron, and J.C! Get barely any light at all dislike, deer dislike some varieties of rhododendrons and avoid most! The Carolina and rosebay rhododendrons, but nothing is thriving weeks during the growing season, or often! Not preferred by deer 4., but it sounds like a good deer-resistant!! Make pieris a popular garden choice a good thing the deer love to eat.. To be destroyed by deer tried Abelia so its good to deer resistant rhododendron they are resistant. Is native to North America, and the deer have developed a palate for it.... Also better suited to warmer climates common, but usually will not work correctly in the spring precious within. And fall, but nothing is thriving so that the deer, too a lilac shrub dislike... A rhododendron to become deer resistant shrubs that deer Hate ) read deer resistant plants your... My Georgia garden ( near Atlanta ) plants ( 15 beautiful perennials and shrubs those with more! Be applied every two weeks during the growing season, or more if. With that name like a good thing the deer from nibbling is to put up a tall fence... Those with a more compact, rounded shape of soil your rhododendron will be in. This gorgeous flowering shrub that has a taste for toad lilies,.! Stunning pale pink plant totally disappears when it comes to native evergreen shrubs, this is a beautiful plant. And keep the animal late spring lepidote rhododendrons, are less likely to willing!