Deer resistant. I'm so glad to know that they are deer resistant! We are sorry. I wish I could try so of those other good looking plants on your list, but I garden in zone 5. Gardening friends here shake their heads in disbelief, and never use repellent. The. Despite the fact that the genus Rhododendron contains well over 1,000 distinct species, most rhododendrons are not deer-resistant. Deer-resistant plants are those that the animal will stay away from due to their prickly foliage, furry leaves, and strong scents. Also known as Green Giant, this fast-growing species is one of the quickest privacy screens available, and grows up to 3-4 feet every year! If you're looking for the best deer resistant plant to grow in your landscape then you've found it. Thanks for the addition to the list, Anita! LAMB'S EAR. This is the first year for the deer fence. How To Keep Deer From Eating Rhododendrons, You can keep your deer from eating your rhododendrons by. Think salvia, sweet alyssum, snapdragons, poppies, globe amaranth, lantana, and cleome. Thank you for this information. 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. Flowering almond shrubs are cold-tolerant, but their deer resistance is unknown. Swamp rose can reach heights of up to 7 feet, and while you may be attracted to its light pink flowers, deer wont. WOODY Ornamental Plants FREQUENTLY Severely Damaged by Deer 7. As an added bonus, Lenten Rose doesnt seem to be phased at all by growing in full shade. Examples of such plants are. Our landscaping teams have installed many plants that Deer are known to avoid. Thats it for my list of shade plants that deer will avoid. ), is deer resistant, and may actually prevent deer from coming close to some of your other plants. 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. Japanese pieris (Pieris japonica) Showy flowers make pieris a popular garden choice. Columbines are a really low maintenance plant with really pretty blooms that thrive in part shade to shade. Partial to full sun. Deer browsing depends upon the available food source for that year, time of year, location, deer species, and simple curiosity. If you like the appearance of arborvitae and want a shrub that deer wont eat, your best bet is Eastern red cedar (although they may still nibble on the lower foliage). As a young shrub, your witch hazel might need some additional protection, but once established will be resistant to many diseases and pests. Below you will find a comprehensive list of trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, annuals, ground covers, and vines that are deer resistant. Dappled willow shrubs are great to help to prevent erosion, have a beautiful weeping structure, and. Are Rhododendron Maximum Deer Resistant? These include kousa dogwood, red osier dogwood, and red twigged dogwood. Select ones that are not on their preferred menu. deer resistant shrubs, but here are a few more options: Technically a subshrub (and ironically not a true sage), this lavender-lookalike behaves like a shrub and. It contains high levels of essential vitamins and minerals, which make it an excellent food source for deer. Monkshood is a beautiful late summer, early fall flower that is poisonous and deer avoid. Wonderful in containers. Finally, it is also important to consider the type of soil your rhododendron will be planted in. Zones 4-8. 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. However, if youre looking for an elegant white flower, it might be one to experiment with. Growing just 2-3 feet high, this compact, deciduous shrub is known byas its name suggestsdeep blue flowers that appear in late summer/early fall. Partial to full sun. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. So if youre a big Rhododendron fan like I am, you may have to be careful where you plant them. It is beautiful and absolutely poisonous to dear. Fitting accent for a well groomed yard that is low maintenance relative to other plants in the genus. e.g. When we think of garden pests, we often think of insects who often arent seen but certainly leave their mark on some of our favorite flowers, vegetables, plants, and shrubs. Between dark green foliage and stunning red berries, youll love surrounding your patio or deck with this shrub, but deer wont be as impressed. 88 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8525. Check out all of the plants below to see the widest number of choices. Deer love to munch on the lush foliage and flowers of rhododendrons and can quickly decimate an entire planting if not kept at bay. We've divided these into zones for easy reference. I always was concerned in this subject and still am, thanks for putting up. 2023 MONROVIA NURSERY COMPANY. If youre looking for the tallest deer resistant shrubs, the Eastern red cedar might take the cake as it can reach up to 50 feet tall. Forsythia will get eaten when young. , rose of Sharon is generally avoided by deerand provides seasonal color for humans. Pieris does better in part shadeand can even tolerate deep shade. I am in zone 3 btw. 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 Junipers are some of the most common deer resistant shrubs that also happen to be great at. Bamboo is an evergreen deer resistant (or semi-evergreen) shrub provides beauty throughout the entire year. An evergreen conversation starter especially in colder zones, with striped foliage and tall, showy spikes of blooms. Deer rarely pine for this compact grower whose irregular growth habit adds character to the landscape. It is highly drought-tolerant and is a good choice for gardens with full sun and dry soil. 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. $79.19. HERBACEOUS Plants RARELY Damaged by Deer 3. Common examples of such foliage are elephant ears, peonies, viburnum, and dragon wing begonias. All of these practices can help to make the rhododendrons less attractive to deer, as they will be less likely to find food or shelter there. It too is highly deer-tolerant, and grows well in dry soil (and even in drought conditions). 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. I have partial morning sun, so the barberry adds an interesting color. , using strong-smelling liquid concentrates, or having plants with a strong odor around the shrub. The first species to consider is Rhododendron catawbiense, commonly known as the Catawba rhododendron. Full sun. Deer have a strong sense of smell and rely completely on it to navigate toward food. While they typically wont attract deer, do expect to see a lot of butterflies. Not all varieties of rhododendrons are deer resistant. What species of rhododendrons are most deer resistant? Recent construction in the area has replaced a lot of those forests with subdivisions which means lots of deer looking for alternate food sources. Fortunately, there are plenty of shade-loving perennials that feature at least one of those characteristics and are avoided by deer in all but the leanest of times. 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! Here is one of the best ways to mitigate the damage these herbivores do to herbaceous (and evergreen) plants. I'm a professional gardener and have been in the business for 44 years. Planting Astilbe is a great way to add some bright color to your summer shade garden. The following is a list of landscape plants rated according to their resistance to deer damage. YES, but this variety is also better suited to warmer climates. Bloom Spring through summer. Hydrangeas are generally left undisturbed by deer. We have recommendations about flowering, shading, privacy, and moreand can recommend shrubs that will also be deer resistant. Thanks for the suggestions, Bobbi! (the ones that deer dont like very much). Ferns seem to be generally deer resistant as do hellebores of all types. Can I order directly from you? Juniperus chinensis "Torulosa," or the Hollywood juniper, has an appearance as dramatic as its common name. Th plants are small or medium depending on where purchased. If food is scarce enough, hungry deer have been . Deer tend to avoid plants that are hairy, spiny, tough, or particularly aromatic. Wed recommend going with a shrub that has a better record of being resistant to hungry deer. Let's be frank: there are no absolutely 100% deer-proof plants. 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. The spray contains characteristic odors such as garlic, mint, egg solids, and chili peppers, which keep the deer away. A = Rarely Damaged We list below how to protect them by using some economical and effective methods. But they arent very aggressive so you can easily pull them out if you dont want them to naturalize. Toxic plants the animal will commonly avoid are false indigo, Helleborus, daffodils, spurges, and bleeding hearts. Rhododendron leaves are very easy to digest, which is why deer love to eat them. 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. Ignored by deer but loved by nature. Who needs flowers when the leaves are so pretty? Try in dry shade gardens where other plants wont grow! Nature Hills Root Booster - 8oz bag - Only $14.99. We love gardening and we want to share this love with you. Using the same university study, we can conclude that. This spiny shrub is one typically avoided by deer. Perfect for pruning as deer-resistant topiaries. Let us know if you have any tried-and-true deer-resistant plants in your garden. I actually live in an area where deer are plentiful. Are Rhododendron Deer Resistant? Surround your property with rhododendron types such as. Do not plant your rhododendrons near trees that attract deer such as willow, apple, oak, hawthorn, cedar, yew, and dogwood as these trees attract deer. 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. , there are some deer resistant types of dogwood shrubs. Full shade. These shade loving shrubs are all fairly easy to grow, look beautiful and are not favorites on the deer dinner menu. 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. Butterflies and hummingbirds love it. It turns out that deer are much like humans when it comes to food palate their tastes vary! Perfect upright and dense small tree laden with large fragrant flowers over a long season. Another great deer-resistant species is Rhododendron maximum, known as the rosebay rhododendron or great laurel. Rhododendrons are not deer-resistant shrubs especially during winters when there isnt much foliage for the herbivorous animal. Furthermore, install sensor devices that sense intruder motion and scare the animal away without causing harm. I have great success with toad lily against the foundation of my house where the get barely any light at all. Bred for superior pest resistance, this gorgeous flowering shrub will attract only admiring glances, and not the local lacebugs. It sounds like you have an interesting mix of foliage colors. Sorry to hear that your deer population has a taste for toad lilies, Sue. Deer-resistant does not mean deer-proof, and even the plants on this list will get nibbled on from time to time. While large varieties are certainly available, smaller accent shrubs will still provide the thorny, wiry branches that keep deer away. from your garden. Plant Size. They love the shade (right next to my toad Lilys) and grow about 5 feet tall after being cut completely back every year. . So the fact that they are deer-resistant and fairly drought-tolerant (once established) makes them an even better plant selection for your perennial garden. 1. If you need specific advice for a tricky spot, please leave a comment below. Depending on the variety, the foliage can be variegated, silver or spotted which makes it an interesting woodland plant all year round. What kind of soil does a PJM Rhododendron need? First of all, remember that deer resistant does not mean deer proof! The bristly texture is harsh on the animals tongue thus they detest it. However, while rhododendrons are generally deer resistant, it can take some time for them to become completely deer proof. Check out all of the plants below to see the widest number of choices. Knowing that the device is battery operated and activates sprinklers, flashlights, or sounds to chase away the deer when it detects its movement on your property, and hence get them away from these gorgeous shrubs. Its also much less likely than its relatives to be destroyed by deer. With their strong sense of smell, deer are sensitive to certain odors and fragrances. Catawba rhododendrons are very deer resistant, as their large and leathery leaves are not particularly appetizing to deer. Are rhododendron deer resistant? WOODY Ornamental Plants SELDOM Severely Damaged by Deer 4. Having deep purple blooms twice a year! These anemones will spread so make sure to plant them where they have room to do so. This is a hardy evergreen shrub that can grow up to 10 feet tall and is native to the Appalachian mountains. In the fall, however, male deer will pick out several mature rhododendrons and attack them with their horns. Just make sure to buy the varieties for shade, as some of them require full sun. I also wonder if a Cinnamomum might fit the bill. PRIVACY POLICY|TERMS & CONDITIONS|SITE MAP|DON'T SELL MY INFO. Thanks for sharing your experience with rhododendrons! You can also check for droppings or tracks in the soil near the rhododendrons to help you determine whether deer are visiting your garden. Lungwort is a semi-evergreen low-growing perennial that is covered in blooms in the early spring, and is much prettier than the name suggests! Anthurium Superbum: Caring for the Birds Nest Anthurium, Overwatered Cucumber Plants: Remarkable Nuggets to Rescue Your Plants, Overwatered Seedling: Best Care Tips for Saving Your Plant. 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. , it is generally thought that sweet pea shrub is deer resistant. Flower buds resist late spring frosts without damage. Full sun. Dappled willow shrubs are great to help to prevent erosion, have a beautiful weeping structure, and YES, they are known to be deer resistant. Some varieties grow into large trees (up to 20 feet), but smaller shrubby varieties are also available. Despite all of that, I have never had a problem with deer eating my plants, even though lots of my neighbors have. I recently planted some rhododendrons in my yard and I'm so glad to hear that they are deer resistant. The. How often should deer-resistant rhododendrons be checked for deer damage? Best wishes! Thanks, Will! 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. Are there any particular varieties of rhododendrons that are more deer resistant than others? The, Pick prickly foliage plants and line them around the perimeter of your property. Very dense foliage and forms a bit of a pyramid when mature. Their olfactory senses dislike pungent and strong odors and therefore they stay away from them. Toxic plants the animal will commonly avoid are. 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. Find out how to keep your garden looking beautiful with these deer resistant shade plants that will help to prevent the animals from dining on your flowers. Japanese pieris can reach average heights of 9-12 feet tall. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No, the purple gem rhododendron is a shrub that the deer love to feast on."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Do Deer Eat Rhododendrons and Azaleas? Moderate water needs. There are many different types of deer repellents available on the market, such as scent-based repellents and natural repellents. One option for deer-resistant flowering shrubs is the Brilliant Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia "Brilliantissima") which, like azaleas, offers both spring and fall interest, with lush white . The animal avoids plants that are leathery or fibrous as they find them difficult to digest. 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. A word of caution, the animal can get tangled in the line so be watchful. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Are Rhododendron Maximum Deer Resistant? The deer are everywhere so I suspect they dont like white dasies.just a thought, Thanks for the suggestion, Annette! 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. Block your rhododendrons by surrounding them with other plants deer detest such as butterfly bush, ferns, mint, thyme, etc These act as a green natural barrier and will prevent the animal from reaching the rhododendrons. Deer will eat the leaves off of most azaleas and some lepidote rhododendrons, but usually will not eat the larger leaved rhododendrons. We are in Kentfield California 9B . Deer Resistant Flowers So you will need to protect your shrubs by employing some methods that we have listed below. Height/Spread: 2 to 4 feet high, 1 to 2 feet broad . Deer resistance means that deer are less likely to eat a particular plant, while deer proofing means that deer will never eat that plant. Varieties such as 'Fragrantissimum', 'Odysseus', and 'Album Elegans' are all known to be more deer resistant due to their white, pink, or yellow flowers. Windflower (or Snowdrop Anemone) have pretty white flowers over ferny foliage that bloom in late spring and may re-bloom in the early fall. Planting Pros Recommend: Fertilome Root Stimulator 4-10-3 - 16oz - Only $19.99. What evergreen shrubs are deer resistant. You have now understood that rhododendrons can be a target of the deer, but you can easily deter and keep the animal away. It is an easy shrub to care for and does not require a lot of maintenance. The plant totally disappears when it starts getting hot so dont be alarmed when that happensit will come back again next spring! Selecting these varieties can make a big difference in how much damage deer will do to your rhododendrons. Details. Full sun. so that the deer do not go right through it. 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. We offer a variety of deer resistant plants and shrubs in our landscaping serviceand sell them at our Garden Center and Plant Nursery in Holbrook! Plant them in threes. Some varieties, such as the hybrid types, are less attractive to deer than others. Nova Zembla Rhododendron - NOT deer resistant but is one of the few rhododendrons that will tolerate full sun and grows seven to nine feet tall, which is what I was going for. Beautiful and hardy, medium height and stout, can provide privacy as well as shade, while being low maintenance. If youre looking for a multi-functional shrub to add to your landscape, let us help! When selecting rhododendrons for your garden, its important to choose plants that are adapted to your local climate and soil conditions. foods for deer to take their attention off your favorite plants: 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 [15]. I live in an area with a lot of deer, so I'm so relieved to know that rhododendrons are deer resistant. So weve written quite a bit about plants that thrive in the shade. Catawba, rosebay, and smooth azaleas all prefer acidic, well-drained soil and full sun. A word of caution here; these plants are toxic to pets as well. Exceptional groundcover with very fragrant white spring flowers. Examples of such varieties include 'PJM Elite', 'Elizabeth', and 'Hotei'. Hi Marciethats the trouble with deer, it seems like different populations of them like different things There are very few plants that are totally deer proof, so I think you have to see what works in your area. You can choose to plant leathery foliage plants. Hope you have some luck with them, theyre very special. He crossed it with his beloved American rhododendron and produced a batch of seedlings. Also known as Carolina allspice, we can say that. Copyright 2023 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Overall, it typically takes two to three years for a rhododendron to become deer resistant. Of course in the fall when theyre hungry theyll eat almost anything. 'Helena' and 'Austin Griffiths' are two of my favorites, and they have darling winter flowers. A spray of eggs, milk, veg oil, Sunlight dish soap and water will keep them away but only until it rains or you spray it off with the hose. Choose plants that are native to your area. They are great to plant with tulips and daffodils as the blooms and foliage will distract from the dying bulb leaves. Contact us today for help! Particularly, azaleas appear to be a favorite with deer. Rhododendrons are a beautiful and . First, it is important to understand the concept of deer resistance. This deer-resistant shrub bears reddish fall foliage and bluish berries in addition to white flowers in the spring. Its a tall beautiful yellow bush like flower that hummingbirds absolutely adore and deer hate. Plus, in late spring, youll be blessed with stunning pale pink flower clusters that are bigup to six-inches in diameter big! The spray contains characteristic odors such as garlic, mint, egg solids, and chili peppers, which keep the deer away. The animal dislikes strong odors and the smell of the spray will be a put-off for them. If youre planting in an area with heavy clay soil or partial shade, you may want to consider other species of rhododendron. Deer Resistant. Forsythia may have a short bloom season, but when it is on, it is ON! We will update our content. It's great to know that they are deer resistant and that they can thrive in your garden. The leaves of the smooth azalea are smooth and leathery, making them very deer resistant. Hellebores are very good and will try columbines now. encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues In addition to using a deer repellent spray, other methods of deterring deer include planting other deer-resistant plants near your rhododendrons, installing a fence to keep deer away, and using motion activated lights or sprinklers. Zones 6-9. We already mentioned wintercreeper, which is in the same, family as burning bush. 1 emersld triumph verbernon and 3 short grasses that do not get real tall or 3 smaller type of shrub. Using the same university study, we can conclude that YES, many spirea shrubs will also not be the meal-of-choice for deer. I have a very shaded wooded property that deer frequent often. 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. Aside from plum yews (Cephalotaxus), these are a well-known favorite for deer. Use rocks of varying sizes and shapes so that the deer will find it impossible to walk over them. Deer love to munch on the leaves of the plant. Thanks, Kathleen! Required fields are marked *. If anyone has any advice on how to keep them alive, I would love to hear it! The deer resistant foliage retains its rich color all year long. Other deer-resistant plants include boxwood, lavender, yew, juniper, and spirea. Mountain laurel is great for soils that are slightly acidic, and does best in part shade. The most deer resistant rhododendron is the Rhododendron 'Hexe'. Once your rhododendrons are established and growing, you can take additional steps to help them become deer resistant. Smooth azaleas have attractive yellow or orange flowers that bloom in late spring. Ive tried all kinds of home mixes and store bought remedies, but Deer Out has workedso far!! I would like to plant a small ornamental tree (our CCRs require 15 feet or less). 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. Rhododendron is easy to digest. Forsythia: As soon as spring rounds the corner, forsythia's yellow flowers bloom. The leaves could be described as Magnolia-like and it has such beautiful bark. Select ones that are not on their preferred menu. A cold-hardy, blue-gray creeping juniper. Beautiful, upward, conical shape supported by bright green leaves on tightly packed branches. Zones 6-9. A tough, no-nonsense choice where you need a rugged, low-maintenance groundcover. The deer eat all my 'regular' rhododendrons but do not eat the PJM variety. Many shade bloomers, including the P.J.M. Rhododendron P.J.M has a distinctive lavender-pink flower color and a burgundy fall and winter leaf color. That part of my house is within the 100 ft boundary of the wetlands too though, so I think they really prefer it cool, dark and damp. sempervirens, an early-blooming species hardy to minus 25oF. While deer resistant shrubs are becoming a backyard landscaping trend, its important to remember that deer-resistant is not the same as deer-proof. Alternatively, you could try draping deer netting over your rhododendrons next fall. van Tol'. 1 Check other rating categories to find additional species or cultivars of this genus. and away from these trees to prevent them from becoming fodder to the animal. 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. Zones 4-10. 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. Unveiling the Signs: When is the Right Time to Divide a Rhododendron Plant? I gave up on flowers, instead plant colorful foliage, Blue Star juniper, Yellow, Orange Rocket, Sunjoy barberry, and different varieties of boxwood. WOODY Ornamental Plants SELDOM Severely Damaged by Deer 4. WOODY Ornamental Plants RARELY Damaged by Deer Common boxwood Spruce 2. . Deer Resistant: Yes Inkberry Holly (Ilex gabra) Inkberry holly is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen shrub that grows in an upright habit with small greenish-white flowers during May and June. Planting time Yezberries or haskaps (Lonicera caerulea) are an easy to grow edible that grows like a shrub from Proven Winners Color Choice Shrubs. YES, we mentioned barberry shrubs earlier. Prevent an infestation by choosing resistant species or hybrids that show resistance and by keeping the area around the plant cleaned up. Heat and cold tolerant, deer resistant shrub. This includes many juniper species, boxwood, pieris, heavenly bamboo, and holly. This post was originally published on February 9, 2018 but was updated with new content on September 15, 2022. Up to 10 tall, 15 wide. My house happens to back onto a ravine, so I see deer on a fairly regular basisand occasionally hear a misguided deer hunter back there trying to take home a prize (I do live in city limits, so hunting back there is illegal, not to mention dangerous!).