A Plant Palette That Deflects a Deer’s Palate

This is an  incomplete list of plants with strong flavors and unappetizing textures that deer disdain—though sometimes they will eat the tender flowers and new growth.

 

It would be impossible to remember all the plants deer don't like unless you find a way to group them. Since humans have a pyramid of basic food groups maybe I should call these the average deer's non-food groups. Also check with your garden center for local lists of deer-resistant plants.

 

Strong Flavors

 

Culinary Herbs

Lavender ( Lavandula spp.), sage (Salvia spp.), parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

Curry (Helichrysum italicum), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), oregano (Origanum spp.)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus offiicinalis), Bay tree ( Laurus nobilis),

Thyme ( Thymus spp.), Alliums (Garlic, Chives, Onions, etc.)

 

Photo:  A hedge of lavender. 

 

 

Medicinal Herbs

Horehound (Marrubium spp.), Artemisia “Powis Castle”,

Peony (Paenia officinalis), Foxglove (Digitalis spp.),

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum),

St. John’s wort (Hypericum spp.),

Echinacea (but rabbits like it!)

Monkshood (Aconitum spp.))

 

 

 

Irritating Sap

Euphorbia spp.

Helleborus spp.

Rue (Ruta graveolens), 

Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana)

 

 

UNAPPETIZING TEXTURES

 

All Ferns,

Mosses and

Ornamental Grasses

 

Fuzzy Leaves

Gray yarrow (Achillea tomentosa and cultivars), Pincushion flower (Scabiosa caucasia),

Jerusalem sage

Lavender (Lavandula spp.), Rose campion (Lychnis coronaria),

Lamb’s ear ( Stachys byzantina),

Blanket flower (Galliardia x grandiflora)

Photo: Poppies will make you sleeeep. And the deer don't like 'em either.  

Waxy Leaves (but deer will eat the flowers)

Bearded iris (Iris germanica),

Dianthus spp.,

California poppy ( Eschscholzia californica),

Blue hostas are reputedly less attractive to deer because of their waxy coating.

 

 

Tomorrow? See the art truck that I'm putting up for sale....

Comments

[bamboo fence]

The flowers are looking very attractive and beautiful. These will be appropriate for decorating a garden.