The plant totally disappears when it starts getting hot so dont be alarmed when that happensit will come back again next spring! Let us know if you have any tried-and-true deer-resistant plants in your garden. SIGN-UP FOR DESIGN INSPIRATION AND UPDATES ON NEW PLANTS, LEGACY OUR STORY NURSERY LOCATIONS SUSTAINABILITY PRESS CAREERS INTERNSHIPS REWARDS PROGRAMREFER-A-FRIEND, FIND A MONROVIA PROFESSIONAL BECOME A MONROVIA PRO, HELP CENTER HOW TO ORDER ONLINE RETURN POLICY SHIPPING INFO WHAT IS A HARDINESS ZONE? Are there any particular varieties of rhododendrons that are more deer resistant than others? School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Office of Continuing Professional Education, Report Accessibility Barrier or Provide Feedback Form, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Executive Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources. A = Rarely Damaged and additionally they also bring in an ornamental look to your garden. Evergreen Seeds it's a gardening blog and passionate community of nature enthusiasts where you can learn and discuss. What species of rhododendrons are most deer resistant? love surrounding your patio or deck with this shrub, but deer wont be as impressed. 2023 MONROVIA NURSERY COMPANY. as they find them difficult to digest. Five most-deer-resistant plants for shade: clockwise from upper left: Sweetbox (Sarcococca), Lily of the Valley Shrub (Pieris), Leucothoe, Rhododendron, and Hellebore (Helleborus) Most conifer trees (fir, incense cedar, deodar cedar, false cypress, cypress, juniper, spruce, pine, Not all varieties of rhododendrons are deer resistant. Do not plant your rhododendrons near fences, steps, and railings as deer can stand on their hind feet to pull out the shrubs. If you dont have to worry about children it is a great shade plant. 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. Their olfactory senses dislike pungent and strong odors and therefore they stay away from them. Rhododendron leaves are very easy to digest, which is why deer love to eat them. He crossed it with his beloved American rhododendron and produced a batch of seedlings. Full sun. Some varieties grow into large trees (up to 20 feet), but smaller shrubby varieties are also available. Bloom Spring through summer. Juniperus chinensis "Torulosa," or the Hollywood juniper, has an appearance as dramatic as its common name. This fast-growing juniper twists and turns to reach maximum heights of about 15 feet tall and grows best in USDA zones 2 through 10. 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. As an extremely drought-tolerant species, Eastern red cedar will do well with dry soil and full sun, however it shouldnt be planted near crabapple or apple trees as it may host cedar apple rust. 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. This large shrub has beautiful yellow flowers and a wonderful scent. A word of caution here; these plants are toxic to pets as well. Full sun. I'm looking forward to having them in my garden for years to come! 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!). I will try those this spring. 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). 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. Rosebay rhododendrons have large white, pink, or purple flowers that bloom in mid-summer. Here is a detailed list of deer-resistant evergreen plants that you can line your property with and protect those precious rhododendron shrubs. Up to 8 tall, 5 wide. While you may have to deal with pesky lacebugs, youll likely never see this shrub bothered by deer. We will update our content. Consequently, deer can cause significant damage to a rhododendron plant in a matter of days. Zones 4-9. Flowers are a vibrant purple-blue against glossy green foliage. HERBACEOUS Plants OCCASIONALLY Damaged by Deer 6. I absolutely love my Japanese painted ferns! One shade tolerant broadleaf evergreen that deer leave alone is boxwood. Up to 4 tall and wide. WOODY Ornamental Plants SELDOM Severely Damaged by Deer 4. A high fence will make it difficult for the animal from jumping over and thus restrict access to your property. Get a budget-friendly one or a decorative garden fence from your local store that is at least eight to twelve feet in height. Tall and evergreen Juniper that brings class and panache to a yard. Success of any of these plants in the landscape will depend on local deer populations and weather conditions. Here is one of the best ways to mitigate the damage these herbivores do to herbaceous (and evergreen) plants. Anything pungent, the animal stays away from it. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 8940 192ST, Surrey, BC, Canada | Hours: Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm Tel: 604.882.1201 I live in an area with a lot of deer, so I'm so relieved to know that rhododendrons are deer resistant. 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. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Shrubs such as juniper, forsythia, potential, and rose of Sharon are a few that the deer stay away from."}}]}, Evergreenseeds.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, amazon.it or amazon.com. A tough, no-nonsense choice where you need a rugged, low-maintenance groundcover. Deer tend to avoid plants that are hairy, spiny, tough, or particularly aromatic. Hardy and heat- and drought-tolerant with aromatic foliage that deters deer. Partial shade is best. Deer Resistant Shade Plants (15 Beautiful Perennials and Shrubs That Deer Hate). Are Hydrangeas Deer Resistant? Boxwoods are another easy to grow evergreen bush, and are well known for being easy to shape. . They are thriving here near La Pine, OR at 4200'. It wasnt that many years ago that most of the land around here was wooded. The real issue with their abundance is a lack of hunting pressure in neighborhoods, and misguided people who wanting to be kind set up feeding stations. Yes, rhododendrons are generally deer resistant. Its a good thing the deer dont like them. It may not keep the animal away but will reduce it from lingering long and exploring your property any further. Exceptional groundcover with very fragrant white spring flowers. Thanks for the help. In harsh northern winters, they will browse the juniper, Thank you for your comment. When selecting rhododendrons for your garden, its important to choose plants that are adapted to your local climate and soil conditions. Some can grow up to 100 feet tall! Im making lemonade with this lemon like situation so were improving parking and planting for sun where we once had shade. However, it can be difficult to keep these plants safe from the ravages of deer, who are known to love munching on the tender leaves. Deer, not so much. I have a very shaded wooded property that deer frequent often. , they are known to be deer resistant. Chefs garden must-have thats rugged, deer resistant, and tolerates poor soils, drought, and salt spray. Up to 5 tall and wide. This is one plant Deer are sure to pass up! Deer Resistant Shrubs Shrubs, which are usually smaller than trees, usually have more than once central stem that extends outward from the base of the plant. 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! The holly species has dark green and glossy leaves, and produces a small black fruit. The shrub is not resistant to the animal which loves to chew on its leaves, especially in winters. For those of us who want an easy to maintain arborvitae that grows well in any soil, our best bet is the. This spiny shrub is one typically avoided by deer. Mock orange shrubs have an intoxicating fragrance, plus, YES, they are deer resistant. Hi Jennifer, Ive been reading all over the interne, including your piece, that deer love rhododendrons. An ideal spot that will be out of reach will be to, Are you a pet owner? An evergreen conversation starter especially in colder zones, with striped foliage and tall, showy spikes of blooms. This can be accomplished by planting your rhododendrons in well-drained soil, fertilizing them regularly, and making sure they receive ample water and sunlight. We've divided these into zones for easy reference. I have great success with toad lily against the foundation of my house where the get barely any light at all. Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Thank you so much for this article. Abies, True Fir; Acer circinatum, Vine Maple; Acer negundo, Box . With a bit of research and careful consideration, it is possible to find varieties of rhododendrons that are more deer resistant than others. Magic Carpet Spirea - deer resistant according to the card. , especially in the colder months when there isnt much green foliage for them left to feed on. van Tol'. The list was compiled with input from nursery and landscape professionals, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension personnel, and Rutgers Master Gardeners in northern New Jersey. Fortunately, there are some particular varieties of rhododendrons that are more deer resistant than others. Finally, it is also important to consider the type of soil your rhododendron will be planted in. Rhododendrons are a beautiful and stately landscape plan. Is there a way to make rhododendrons less attractive to deer? Rhododendron P.J.M has a distinctive lavender-pink flower color and a burgundy fall and winter leaf color. It turns out that deer are much like humans when it comes to food palate their tastes vary! Description Rosebay rhododendron is an evergreen shrub in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family that grows 10 to 20 feet tall. Foliage is a shiny dark green. So if youre a big Rhododendron fan like I am, you may have to be careful where you plant them. Learn about some of the only low, spreading plants that are reliably deer-resistant. With their natural habitats shrinking, deer are becoming a way of life in many residential neighborhoods across the country. Thanks, Kathleen! Preventing deer damage to the shrubs is one of the best ways, so dive right into the section. It sounds like you have an interesting mix of foliage colors. . Planting Instructions: Select a location protected from strong winds. There are a variety of repellents available on the market, such as sprays and granules, which contain strong-smelling ingredients that deer find unpleasant. If deer are being a nuisance to your landscaping efforts, consider replacing some of your plants with these options. We would do hand watering for the first few years but not reliably beyond that. Rhododendrons are a popular choice for gardeners because of their bright, colorful blooms and deer resistance. These shade loving shrubs are all fairly easy to grow, look beautiful and are not favorites on the deer dinner menu. I planted a Japanese Dappled Willow which died, and several perennials which said they tolerate soggy soils, but nothing is thriving. Rhododendrons that are planted in well-draining, slightly acidic soil are less likely to be damaged by deer, as they are more likely to thrive in such conditions. Get a budget-friendly one or a decorative garden fence from your local store that is at least eight to twelve feet in height. We are sorry. Abelia bushes are deer resistant and attract butterflies and in some areas stay green most of the year. 2. If you need specific advice for a tricky spot, please leave a comment below. Alternatively, you could try draping deer netting over your rhododendrons next fall. LAMB'S EAR. 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. You can choose to plant leathery foliage plants. Weve been looking for deer resistant shrubs and have made a list from your recommendation, Minnetonka Rhododendron Rhododendron 'Minnetonka' Deep purple buds open to dark lavender flowers with purple margins. Choose between a variety of different colorsdark orange, bright red, deep wine-red, dark purple, deep green, metallic pink, warm yellow, and more! Stay Protected with Plant Sentry. The deer even avoid my hostas planted nearby. Fortunately, there are some evergreen trees and shrubs that are mostly avoided by deer. Let's be frank: there are no absolutely 100% deer-proof plants. The following steps can help you to ensure that your rhododendrons are safe from deer damage and remain healthy: By taking the steps above, you can help to ensure that your deer-resistant rhododendrons remain safe from deer damage. It was Rhododendron dauricum var. Keep in mind that while full sun can be tolerated, winter winds might lead to yellowing, so try to plant in a protected area. B = Seldom Severely Damaged The plants deer prefer to eat vary from region to region and change seasonally. Some varieties that do particularly well in these conditions include 'Nova Zembla', 'Cunningham White', and 'Cornell Pink'. Many evergreen plants serve as favorite winter food sources, including arborvitae, rhododendron, holly, and yew. Deer have evolved to eat certain types of plants, so native plants are more likely to be deer resistant than non-native plants. Enthusiasts where you plant them the first few years but not reliably beyond that and attract butterflies in! 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