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Keeping Deer Out of Your Garden

December 27,1998
Hi, my name is Julie. I live in northern california and have taken on the task of landscaping my home. I live in an area abundant in wildlife, and the deer are plentiful here. Although I love these animals, I don't want the new landscaping to become their personal supermarket. Any ideas on what would be safe to plant? Thanks, Julie

Blacktail Deer

Deer are selective feeders, so often plants that would normally become fodder can be used in your garden if there is a more tempting morsel nearby. An alternate food source can be planted away from your garden if necessary. This, however is no guarantee... just a thought of how you might be able to help the critters at the same time as protecting your shrubs.

There are dozens of different type repellants that are sometimes successful as well, which can be used in defined areas. They include some that are tacky, distasteful and sometimes downright rude. I'm sure many of these items are readily available at your local nursery, but as to the others.....
    Deer repellants
  • Nylon stocking with human hair inside
  • hanging mirrors/ tinfoil strips
  • human urine, predator urine or droppings
  • deodorant soap
  • dried blood bloodmeal in a cloth bag
  • milorganite
  • commercial products
Any repellant can become ineffective in a short time when the deer realize that they have nothing to fear, so this may become more trouble than its worth.

While there are no plants that are deer proof, there are many that are far less prone to attract deer. They tend to dislike plants which are thorny, poisonous, sticky, or with cottony leaves, or plants that just taste bad. Droughts and other extreme weather conditions can create a serious food shortage for deer, and consequently cause them to lose their inhibitions and eat plants which they would otherwise ignore.

Deer Resistant Plants

The following lists are of plants in different categories,
which are somewhat safer to cultivate in deer country..

.
Shrubs annuals perennials
Barberry
Berberis sp.		 Satin flower
Godetia sp. 		Carolina Jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens
Butterfly Bush
Buddleia sp.		 Livingstone Daisy
Mesembryanthemum criniflorum		 Aarons Beard
Hypericum calycinum
Quince
Chaenomeles speciosa		 Impatiens
Impatiens walleriana		 Spearmint
Menta spicata
Heather
Calluna vulgaris		 Geraniums
Pelargonium domesticum		 Carpet Bugle
Ajuga reptans
Salal
Gaultheria shallon		 Begonias
Begonia sp.		 Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Holly
Ilex aquifolium		 Dahlias
Dahlia sp.		 Star Jasmine
Trachelospermum jasminoides
St. John's Wort
Hypericum		 Monkey Flower
Mimulus		 Iris
Iris sp.
Juniper
Juniperus chinensis		 Clarkia
Clarkia elegans		 Periwinkle
Vinca rosea
Rhododendrons
Rhododendron sp.		 Zinna
Zinnia elegans		 Ageratum
Ageratum sp.
Lilac
Syringa vulgaris		 Morning Glory
Ipomoea sp.		 Yarrow
Achillea filipendulina
Oregon Grape
Mahonia aquifolia 		Scarlet Sage
Salvia sp.		 Purple Cone Flower
Echinacea angustifolia
Juniper
Juniperus sp.		 California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica		 Foxglove
Digitalis sp.
Mountain Laurel
Sophora secundiflora		 Snapdragon
Antirrhinum majus		 Sword Fern
Nephrolepis sp.
Boxwood
Buxus microphylla		 Gaillardia
Gaillardia pulchella		 Dusty Miller
Senecio cineraria
Pampas Grass
Cortaderia sp		 Flowering Tobacco
Nicotiana alata		 Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster dammeri 		Forget-me-not
Myosotis scorpioides		 Verbena
Verbena sp.

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