Here is a list of reliably deer proof shrubs:
* Viburnum
* Boxwood
* Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange)
* Pieris
* Kalmia
* Cotinus
* Kerria
* Aronia
* Deciduous Hollies (Ilex)
* Spruce
* Junipers
* Lindera benzoin (native spicebush)
* Iteas
* Hamamelis
* Chionanthus
Is boxwood deer proof? The answer is “yes”.
Keep in mind, though, that if deer have the run of a property, they will taste just about anything new that appears. As one writer remarked: “They’re in the restaurant and they’re going to try the entire smorgasbord.”
Boxwood is a slow-growing evergreen deer proof shrub. It can be [...]
Deer repellents are basically anything that deer don’t like to smell or taste. One of the best tips in this short video on deer repellents is that deer get used to any repellent - so change your products from time to time. Also, deer repellents wear off so you need to reapply, especially after [...]
Homegrown Gardens has a good tip on how to keep deer out of the garden without having to build a 7-foot tall fence:
Since deer can’t both broad jump and high jump in the same leap, double fencing is a brilliant way to help keep deer out of the garden, Margaret has been a proponent [...]
To find out what is deer proof in your neighbourhood, look at your neighbours’ landscapes. Are there any particular plants that the deer tend to leave alone? Another important issue is where do the deer travel? Look around for deer pathways, and try to avoid planting any “borderline” plants directly on their route. Deer [...]
To discourage deer from eating your garden, you have have five basic options.
Fence the deer out.
Plant things out of reach of the deer.
Scare the deer away.
Make your garden unpleasant for deer.
Choose plants that deer don’t like.
One of the most charming deer proof gardens I have ever visited is the Yellowpoint, BC garden of artists Grant Leir and Nixie Barton. They have their entire garden fenced with handmade willow panels. You can visit their garden during their art gallery open hours, which are 11 - 5 Thursday through Sunday.
Here are [...]
Some people will tell you that there is no such thing as “deer proof”. While it’s true that deer will eat just about anything if they are hungry enough, there are some plants that are safe from deer damage (i.e. the deer rarely eat them), some plants that are unsafe (i.e. the deer always eat [...]
I’m Barbra Bakker and I’ve been gardening in deer country for over 20 years. In that time I have learned through trial and error how to create a deer proof garden. On this website I share what I’ve learned in the hopes that I can save you some frustration and expense. Enjoy!
