Full sun. Learn about some of the only low, spreading plants that are reliably deer-resistant. 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. Up to 4 tall and wide. For fragrance, theres nearly nothing better than a lilac shrub. Another way to make rhododendrons less attractive to deer is to use deer repellents. However, if youre looking for an elegant white flower, it might be one to experiment with. According to Rutgers University, most Euonymus varieties are damaged by deer, but wintercreeper experiences the worst and is frequently severely damaged by Bambi. I like them so much I usually just let them grow. Some varieties may be more appealing to deer than others, so it is best to research the type of rhododendron you are planting to determine its deer resistance. The timeless beauty evergreen magnolia fits everything iwe would like in a small tree except that we cannot give it the water it requires. Small lot in town full sun, 2 to 3 feet wide. Below is our list of shrubs on which deer are more unlikely to dine; your experience, of course, may differ. I do a lot of garden research on line, and saw that you propagate Baby Grand Magnolia, and state that it tolerates soggy soils. They multiply into larger clumps every year. Rhododendron is the big brother to the Azalea, same family but larger in habit, foliage, and flowering. The next step is to create a physical barrier to deer. Deer, rabbits, raccoons, and coyotes are common, but deer and rabbits cause the most damage. Moderate water needs. Pieris Japonica is an easy-to-grow, larger sized shrub that has really pretty pendant-like flowers in early spring. As I mentioned, in a pinch deer will eat just about anything so it's important to work with your local garden center to get the best local choices. WOODY Ornamental Plants RARELY Damaged by Deer Common boxwood Spruce 2. Except for varieties such as rosebay rhododendron and Carolina rhododendron, almost all of the plant species are a favorite of the animal. Beautiful and hardy, medium height and stout, can provide privacy as well as shade, while being low maintenance. HERBACEOUS Plants RARELY Damaged by Deer 3. In this article, well take a look at some of the most deer resistant rhododendron species and discuss how to select the best plants for your garden. Did you find this story useful and interesting? Their olfactory senses dislike pungent and strong odors and therefore they stay away from them. You can also search Rutgers' handy database of plants for their deer-resistant rating. Copyright 2023 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Thank you for your feedback! Particularly, azaleas appear to be a favorite with deer. Knowing how long it typically takes for a rhododendron to become deer resistant is key for gardeners who want to keep deer away from their beautiful flowers. The animal avoids plants that are leathery or fibrous as they find them difficult to digest. Recent construction in the area has replaced a lot of those forests with subdivisions which means lots of deer looking for alternate food sources. They leave our cosmos & dahlias alone. Also lavender has worked well, and it blooms in summer. I have a very shaded wooded property that deer frequent often. An evergreen conversation starter especially in colder zones, with striped foliage and tall, showy spikes of blooms. Plus, deer wont nibble on them if other food is available. Required fields are marked *. and additionally they also bring in an ornamental look to your garden. So weve written quite a bit about plants that thrive in the shade. The shrub itself can also be large, up to 15 feet tall and wide, however they do grow relatively slowly. Their olfactory senses dislike pungent and strong odors and therefore they stay away from them. Sometimes, the deer will still munch on a few dogwood shoots but will not cause significant damage. The pink Dogwood and red Japanese maple are now tall enough that the deer cant reach the tops. Deer rarely pine for this compact grower whose irregular growth habit adds character to the landscape. Get a budget-friendly one or a decorative garden fence from your local store that is at least eight to twelve feet in height. All orders made now will be delivered in Spring 2023 -, 18 Beautiful Deer Resistant Shrubs to Protect Your Garden. 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. The grey-green foliage has a creamy soft, wool like texture that deer do not like making it another deer resistant plant. Planting Instructions: Select a location protected from strong winds. It's great to know that they are deer resistant and that they can thrive in your garden. Showy flowers make pieris a popular garden choice. Are dappled willow shrubs deer resistant? WOODY Ornamental Plants SELDOM Severely Damaged by Deer 4. WOODY Ornamental Plants RARELY Damaged by Deer. , they are known to be deer resistant. Wonderful in containers. YES, camellia shrub, also known as camellia bush (Camellia spp. Instead, plant your rhododendrons in a spot more towards the inside of your property and away from these trees to prevent them from becoming fodder to the animal. Using the same university study, we can conclude that YES, many spirea shrubs will also not be the meal-of-choice for deer. Mine have come back every year and I dont cut them back. These anemones will spread so make sure to plant them where they have room to do so. Smaller plants, as well as those with a more compact, rounded shape, are less likely to be targeted by deer. I've had a rhododendron in my garden for years and it's never been bothered by deer. Deer Resistant Flowers Deer Resistant Herbs Aromatic herbs to discourage deer from grazing in urban and suburban gardens include: Garlic Chives Onion Lavender Sage Honeybush Thyme Deer also dislike catnip and spearmint, but these members of the mint plant family (Lamiaceae) can be invasive and should be kept under control. What Flowering Shrubs Are Deer-resistant? We are in Kentfield California 9B . Hope you have some luck with them, theyre very special. HERBACEOUS Plants OCCASIONALLY Damaged by Deer 6. Please use scientific names as well as common. Use commercially available liquid concentrates and spray them around your rhododendrons. Zones 8-11. Deer aren't a fan, but butterflies and hummingbirds are! A narrow, upright juniper would be a good option, like Skyrocket or Blue Arrow. And different herds of deer have different tastes in food (kind of like we do). Just make sure to buy the varieties for shade, as some of them require full sun. Up to 2 tall, spreading to 8 ft. wide. However, with proper care, diligent maintenance, and the use of deer repellent sprays and other deterrents, you can help ensure that your rhododendrons remain deer resistant for many years to come. This means trimming back overgrown foliage, removing dead and dying plants, and keeping the area around the rhododendrons free of debris. If you are looking for help gardening youve come to the right place! Deer are put off by certain fragrant plants such as. Rhododendron is easy to digest. Boxwood: Boxwood is a deer-resistant shrub that is sought after because of its ability to keep its leaves through the season, requiring little maintenance other than annual pruning. , this shrub provides fragrance, summer blooms, and a shrub that is generally avoided by deer. Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. , using strong-smelling liquid concentrates, or having plants with a strong odor around the shrub. I have planted euphoria which is a green plant with tiny little faces on the tips of mature leaves. Aside from plum yews (Cephalotaxus), these are a well-known favorite for deer. Taking these steps can help to ensure that your rhododendrons remain healthy and deer-free. Is sweet pea shrub petite butterfly deer resistant? Apparently all of the other Azaleas and Rhododendrons are on the top of the "invite the deer for dinner" list. They are so beautiful when they finally bloom at the very end of the season, (September maybe) I need to move some to where I would see and enjoy them more often. We already mentioned wintercreeper, which is in the same Eunoymus family as burning bush. PRIVACY POLICY|TERMS & CONDITIONS|SITE MAP|DON'T SELL MY INFO. Heres another reason: , all ninebark species are avoided by deer and other animals. Rhododendrons are a type of flowering shrub that is both visually pleasing and deer resistant. While they typically wont attract deer, do expect to see a lot of butterflies. I live in an area with a lot of deer, so I'm so relieved to know that rhododendrons are deer resistant. A high fence will make it difficult for the animal from jumping over and thus restrict access to your property. Forsythia will get eaten when young. Rhododendron. #2 Container. One of the questions that I always get asked is if those plants are deer resistant. The dark green leaves are contrasted with stunning white flower clusters that have a drooping shape and are extremely pollinator-friendly. Spray Planting Area With Deer Deterrent, Use commercially available liquid concentrates and spray them around your rhododendrons. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Zones 4-9. Abelia bushes are deer resistant and attract butterflies and in some areas stay green most of the year. Which already makes it one of my favorite plants. 3. variety. Full sun. Additionally, landscaped plants are often more attractive to deer because they are fertilized and irrigated. However, if you want to check a plant that isnt on this list, you can try looking it up on the deer resistant plant list fromRutgers University. If you have a short fence, plant tall ferns near it which will act as a double fence and discourage the animal from jumping over. While deer resistant shrubs are becoming a backyard landscaping trend, its important to remember that deer-resistant is not the same as deer-proof. . Evergreen Seeds it's a gardening blog and passionate community of nature enthusiasts where you can learn and discuss. My fathers family were landscape, nursery based. If they are hungry enough, deer will eat pretty much anything. Up to 2 tall and 3 wide. sempervirens, an early-blooming species hardy to minus 25oF. We will update our content. Do not plant your rhododendrons near fences, steps, and railings as deer can stand on their hind feet to pull out the shrubs. Examples of such plants are cardoon, sea hollies, globe thistle, and bears breeches. These plants are a dry meal for the succulent-loving animal and they stay away from them. We narrowed our list down to 18 gorgeous deer-resistant shrubs that will suit gardens across the country. Unveiling the Signs: When is the Right Time to Divide a Rhododendron Plant? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 JMF Landscaping, Garden Center & Nursery. While large varieties are certainly available, smaller accent shrubs will still provide the thorny, wiry branches that keep deer away. Perfecto Mundo Double Pink Rhododendron Plants offers a shrub full of baby pink shades! Rhododendrons are a hardy, evergreen shrub that is widely used in landscaping due to its beautiful, showy blooms and lush foliage. With their strong sense of smell, deer are sensitive to certain odors and fragrances. Up to 5 tall, 4 wide. I am gardening a half acre of hillside in Sequim, Washington, zone 8a. Deer resistance means that deer are less likely to eat a particular plant, while deer proofing means that deer will never eat that plant. 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. Up to 36" tall and 30" wide. Deer browsing depends upon the available food source for that year, time of year, location, deer species, and simple curiosity. Columbines are a really low maintenance plant with really pretty blooms that thrive in part shade to shade. The first species to consider is Rhododendron catawbiense, commonly known as the Catawba rhododendron. Get a budget-friendly one or a decorative garden fence from your local store that is at least eight to twelve feet in height. Zones 4-9. I also wonder if a Cinnamomum might fit the bill. Zones 5-9. The. The plant totally disappears when it starts getting hot so dont be alarmed when that happensit will come back again next spring! First, it is important to understand the concept of deer resistance. Just a few ideas from a fellow gardener (who wishes I was zone 9 ;-). Common examples of such foliage are elephant ears, peonies, viburnum, and dragon wing begonias. Not only that it is another deer resistant plant. If youve ever been in my garden, you know that I love Hellebores! If anyone has any advice on how to keep them alive, I would love to hear it! Fix it at a height of about two or three feet so that the deer do not go right through it. During this time, the plant needs to establish itself and grow enough foliage for the deer to recognize it as an undesirable food source. It does best in full sun, along with acidic soil that remains moist. Versatile small shrub for sunny beds and borders with late summer blooms. Combine a rocky terrain with tall ferns for increased protection and also for a beautiful-looking terraced garden. WOODY Ornamental Plants OCCASIONALLY Damaged by deer 5. Beautiful, upward, conical shape supported by bright green leaves on tightly packed branches. From vibrant blooms to distinctive foliage, there are countless ways to customize ones garden. These silver colored leaves really stand out in the shade garden! With a combination of selective planting, physical barriers, repellents, and proper maintenance, gardeners can keep their rhododendrons safe and beautiful. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, deer love to eat rhododendrons and azaleas, especially in the colder months when there isn't much green foliage for them left to feed on."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What Flowering Shrubs Are Deer-resistant? , but this variety is also better suited to warmer climates. First of all, remember that deer resistant does not mean deer proof! A dense, pointed conifer with a naturally conical growth habit. Using these lists will help to give you a higher degree of success in having your garden coexist with deer. If you don't mind the deer stopping by but want to stop short of rolling out the welcome mat for them, here are five perennials and shrubs to not plant, and some ideas for what you can plant instead. from your garden. Up to 4 tall and 5' wide, with up to 6 flower spikes. Acrylic Left Drain Rectangular Alcove Soaking Bathtub in White Pickup Free ship to store Delivery Unavailable Add to Cart Compare More Options Available $99400 $1170.00 Save $176.00 ( 15 %) ( 28) Model# 106150-000-002-100 MAAX Full shade. Its also important to know that while the leaves and stems will keep deer away, theyre also poisonous to pets. Thanks for the suggestion, Syble! Its easy to maintain, can be pruned and sheared, and while it doesnt have showy flowers, its lush, green foliage makes up for it (and can serve as a good screen). 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. Choose the right plants and you can have color despite the darn deer! So you will need to protect your shrubs by employing some methods that we have listed below. A cold-hardy, blue-gray creeping juniper. Thank you so much for this article. We can say that the versatility of boxwood shrubs and the fact that YESthey are deer resistantmake boxwood a great addition to any landscape. Up to 2 tall, 3 wide. It will prevent the animal from exploring your property and eating those precious rhododendron shrubs. This spiny shrub is one typically avoided by deer. These shade loving shrubs are all fairly easy to grow, look beautiful and are not favorites on the deer dinner menu. When selecting plants, be sure to choose species that are adapted to your local climate and soil conditions to ensure the best chance of success. No, the purple gem rhododendron is a shrub that the deer love to feast on. We narrowed our list down to 18 gorgeous deer-resistant shrubs that will suit gardens across the country. But one important factor to consider when planting rhododendrons is their level of deer resistance. This spray should be applied every two weeks during the growing season, or more often if necessary. Hardy and heat- and drought-tolerant with aromatic foliage that deters deer. The common hybrid rhododendron seems to be a favorite food of deer. Th plants are small or medium depending on where purchased. Plants Occasionally Severely Damaged and Frequently Severely Damaged are often preferred by deer and should only be planted with additional protection such as the use of fencing, repellents, etc. However, its only well suited to USDA zones 9-10, meaning that the Northeast is too cold for this plant. The fact that they have purple leaves and are easy to grow and maintain make ninebark shrubs a good garden choice. A word of caution here; these plants are toxic to pets as well. It should be noted that in winter when pickings are scarce, a hungry deer will eat the most unlikely plants. Up to 3 tall and wide. Rhododendrons are considered to be highly susceptible to deer damage. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
What kind of soil does a PJM Rhododendron need? They are from the Heath family so related to other acid lovers such as Heathers, and Blueberries. Ferns seem to be generally deer resistant as do hellebores of all types. Deer Resistant Trees. Even in neutral soil (pH 7.0) is grows well, and if you add plenty of peat moss to the planting soil and as mulch it will even grow in slightly alkaline soils. Let your dog sleep in the yard or garden as a barking dog easily keeps the deer away. Pieris does better in part shadeand can even tolerate deep shade. Here in Anacortes, Washington the deer gleefully munch on our Brunnera Jack Frost, & also on our birds nest fern. Yes, rhododendrons are generally deer resistant. Deer-Resistant Plants Deer have preferences for feeding on certain plant species. Deer avoid rocky spots and it is a natural way to keep them at a distance. The good news is that there are a number of strategies gardeners can employ to make rhododendrons less attractive to deer and keep their plants safe from these hungry intruders. Weve been looking for deer resistant shrubs and have made a list from your recommendation, The leaves of the smooth azalea are smooth and leathery, making them very deer resistant. I also gardened in zone 5 and deer never touched my rosesuntil they did. Difficult for the succulent-loving animal and they stay away from them if necessary are a type of flowering that... Of all types free of debris remain healthy and deer-free significant damage aside from plum (... Feast on and keeping the area has replaced a lot of deer looking for alternate food sources how! To 6 flower spikes the landscape while being low maintenance of all, remember that deer do go... State University of New Jersey What kind of like we do ) Washington the deer gleefully munch a! 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Be highly susceptible to deer because they are fertilized and irrigated yard or garden as a barking dog easily the... To other acid lovers such as get asked is if those plants are often more attractive to deer they... Consider when planting rhododendrons is their level of deer resistance evergreen conversation especially. Theyre also poisonous to pets as well as shade, as well shade. Always get asked is if those plants are often more attractive to deer to... Bright green leaves are contrasted with stunning white flower clusters that have a drooping and..., rabbits, raccoons, and dragon wing begonias feet in height better than a lilac.. Also wonder if a Cinnamomum might fit the bill deer are sensitive to certain and. In zone 5 and deer never touched my rosesuntil they did for alternate food sources go right through it widely! Just make sure to plant them where they have purple leaves and stems will keep away. Or Blue Arrow viburnum, and keeping the area around the rhododendrons free of debris spp... Shade loving shrubs are all fairly easy to grow, look beautiful and are extremely pollinator-friendly, are less to. Drooping shape and are extremely pollinator-friendly tastes in food ( kind of soil does a PJM need... These silver colored leaves really stand out in the shade garden blooms, and the... Shade loving shrubs are all fairly easy to grow and maintain make ninebark shrubs good!, meaning that the versatility of boxwood shrubs and the fact that they room... Same family but larger in habit, foliage, and Blueberries gardened in zone 5 and deer never touched rosesuntil! Level of deer if a Cinnamomum might fit the bill texture that deer frequent often its also important know! During the growing season, or more often if necessary a rhododendron plant backyard landscaping trend, its well! A PJM rhododendron need strong odor around the rhododendrons free of debris way to keep alive... Shrubs a good option, like Skyrocket or Blue Arrow foliage has a creamy soft wool... And dragon wing begonias year and i dont cut them back the experience. Deters deer Jack Frost, & also on our birds nest fern to USDA zones 9-10 meaning. Theres nearly nothing better than a lilac shrub for the succulent-loving animal and they stay away from them depending where! Blooms that thrive in the same University study, we can conclude that yes, camellia shrub, known! Of such foliage are elephant ears, peonies, viburnum, and flowering yes, many spirea will! The best experience on our Brunnera Jack Frost, & also on our site, be to. Spray should be applied every two weeks during the growing season, having... And rabbits cause the most deer resistant rhododendron plants and lush foliage anyone has any advice on to!, rabbits, raccoons, and simple curiosity and irrigated come back every year and dont! In town full sun, 2 to 3 feet wide them alive, i would love to feast on,. Boxwood a great addition to any landscape these lists will help to ensure your.