Deer resistant plants in all shapes, colors
Many of us in Butler County have a love-hate relationship with the white-tailed deer! We love to see them in a natural setting, grazing peacefully on grasses in a field or meadow. However, we do not love their discovery of our gardens and landscape as irresistible dining options.
Deer browsing behavior can be complicated. White-tailed deer in one region of Pennsylvania may find a plant irresistible but find it undesirable in another region. They can feed on a species of plant during certain times of the year, avoiding the same plant in another season.
Young plants can be delectable to a deer, but the same deer can pass up the opportunity to browse on the mature stage of the same plant. Deer will also “taste test” something new, so it is always best to fence new plantings or use repellents to protect them.
The result is that no plant is truly “deer proof” or “deer tolerant.” However, there are some native species that deer do not particularly like.
A beautiful, spreading green ground cover, wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is not enjoyed by deer.
Likewise, ferns planted in a shady part of your yard or garden will provide an excellent backdrop or understory. Consider species such as hay-scented fern (Osmunda regalis), cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea); or sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis). These fern species are tolerant of sunlight so they are not limited to growing in a shady area.
In a flower bed or perennial garden, a number of pollinator favorites are not favorites of the white-tailed deer. Plant wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis); any of the milkweeds (Ascelpias spp.); purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea); Oswego tea (also known as bee balm; Monarda didyma); New England aster (Aster novae-angliae); cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis); black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta); or a goldenrod (Solidago spp.).
All of these species are perennial and once established will be relatively easy to maintain. They all provide benefits to pollinators.
Deer resistant native shrubs and trees include a wide variety of flowering species. Planting them as deer resistant varieties not only keeps away the deer but also contributes scent and color to your landscape.
Most also will supply nectar and pollen for pollinators and fruits as food for birds. Early blooming shadbush (Amelanchier laevis) and spicebush (Lindera benzoin) brighten even the grayest and wettest of spring days. Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata), summersweet (Clethra alnifolia), and Carolina sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) provide floral displays in late spring and summer.
Both summersweet and Carolina sweet shrub also have lovely, aromatic scents. Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) flowers in late fall add the last bit of color to the landscape before winter sets in.Tree species that are deer resistant include two spring flowering trees: flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) and Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). American beech (Fagus grandifolia), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipfera) are good choices for deciduous species.Evergreens such as American holly (Ilex opaca), native spruces (Picea spp.), and Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), are also options. Note, hemlocks in our area are being affected by the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae), and any planted hemlocks should be monitored for infestations and treated if necessary.Remember to protect young and newly planted flowers, trees and shrubs until they are established by erecting fencing or using repellents. Once established, these species will make your landscape not only deer resistant, but will add color, add fragrance and help pollinators.For more information, the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources has a document that lists many more species than those mentioned here. The guide also provides specific growing conditions for each species listed. See http://www.docs.dcnr.pa.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_20028673.pdf.In addition, Penn State Extension offers additional information on using deer-resistant plants for gardening at https://extension.psu.edu/ornamentals-and-deer-realities-and-landscape-plant-options.
If you have questions about native plants or gardening with deer-resistant plants, call the Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, Ext. 7 or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.Expert Master Gardeners and Extension Educators from across the state will be answering some questions during “Garden Hotline LIVE.” Submit questions for the live show at https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6fbKDzHz5bNgknj.For more information about how to watch Garden Hotline LIVE, visit the statewide Penn State Extension Master Gardener group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/696217890434068.Mary Alice Koeneke is a Penn State Extension Master Gardener of Butler County.
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