For more, see The 24 Best Plants to Attract Hummingbirds. A drought-tolerant succulent, hens and chicks usually needs no extra watering and it's a slow spreader so you won't have to keep it from crowding out its neighbors. Deer generally stay away from aromatic herbs and other plants, such as sage, rosemary, and lavender. 2023 Proven Winners North America LLC. This perennial is so tough that once you plant it, you usually don't have to do anything to it ever again. In summer, the large trumpets of pale lavender-pink flowers bloom for weeks, followed by glossy purple seed pods that provide additional fall interest. Deer also tend to steer clear of it (like they do of most other grasses) so you don't have to fear it being mowed down. Plants that rabbits dislike include lavender, penstemon, artemesia, hyssop, sages, shasta daisy, gaillardia, common butterfly bush, blue mist spirea and . 0000014478 00000 n Plant your herbs anywhere you like without fear of deer. The beauty and variability of penstemons have brought them to the forefront of home gardening, especially in areas subjected to droughts, says Jennifer Bennett, author of Dryland Gardening. It can thrive in a range of humidity conditions. 0000002756 00000 n Varies widely. Cultivars include 'Blue Springs' and Electric Blue. Feeding these flowers with conventional bloom-boosting formulas can promote too much growth and can shorten the life of the plants. Most penstemons are 1 to 3 feet tall, but Palmer's penstemon can grow up to 6 feet, giving you options for the middle and back of the border. All feature a compact growth habit, prolific flowering, a super-long bloom season, and excellent winter hardiness. Not everyone is a fan of eating onions, and that definitely includes deer and rabbits. If you grow plants that deer are less likely to eat, you increase your chances of escaping pest damage. But they may even eat cosmos if they are in desperate search of food. - What Is the Coleus Plant? Unlike many other bleeding hearts which require shade, this alpine variety thrives in full sun and very well-drained soil. Deer; Penstemon laevigatus Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) larvae which has two to three broods from May-October. 0000011924 00000 n Daffodils, foxgloves, and poppies are common flowers with a toxicity that deer avoid. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. They need full sun. Deer browsing depends upon the available food source for that year, time of year, location, deer species, and simple curiosity. Blooming showy white flowers for about one month in late Spring, it attracts numerous species of long-tongued bees and hummingbirds. Salvia, or sage plants, include a range of species, most of which are considered deer-resistant for the same reason that deer do not eat catmint and bee balm: they stink. (Zones: 4-8; Height: 2 to 3 feet; Bloom time: June to September), Native to the northern Great Plains and northeastern states, this species is more tolerant of high humidity and moist soil than those of western origin. Basil is also considered deer resistant, but slide it into . Some of these include Stapleford Gem, Garnet, Apple Blossom, and Firebird. Red Riding Hood is just one of seven colors in the Dutch-bred Riding Hood series, which also includes blue, delft blue, hot pink, lavender, marble cream, and purple. Because of their low fiber diet, deer must eat every few hours. Aromatic Herbs. Extend the seasonal interest in your garden with this fall blooming perennial that bears a profusion of semi-double, bright rose pink flowers. The nickname "beardtongue" refers to the pollen-free stamen that protrudes from the flower, resembling abearded irisin this aspect. Deer also tend to turn their . A wonderful little ground cover for shady gardens, wild ginger bears heart-shaped leaves and hidden springtime flowers. Drought tolerant and deer resistant, this Salvia is a real magnet for . Caterpillars eat the host plant's leaves while adults feed on the nectar of composite flowers including aster, chicory, gumweed, knapweed, and tickseed sunflower. The Best Perennials for Pollinators HdWK7)'0& oSE%W|"o_y:?|x?xxSxO_~=w,Q)g%PWJo>oGM.% Foliage of some species remains evergreen in mild climates. A big group of plants, there's a salvia for every gardener. Like some of the other deer-resistant perennials, this classic cottage garden plant is toxic. You can make its display of blue flowerslast longer by shearing. You can't grow wrong with purple coneflower for summer gardens: It blooms for weeks, it attracts scores of butterflies, it makes a great cut flower, and it's often left alone by deer thanks to its rough foliage. Popular types of salvia include common garden sage (Salvia officianalis) as well as various ornamental species and cultivars. It is a nicely scented low-growing perennial herb with delicate leaves that loves the sun. It bears spikes of lipstick pink flowers in early summer and again in late summer if deadheaded. Native to southern California, Arizona and Utah, it thrives in arid climates and dry, sandy soils. Varieties with purple or reddish leaves will exhibit the best foliage color when grown in direct sunlight. In the US, where penstemons originate, deer forage on them and, as far as I have been able to discover, they are not listed as poisonous in the various indexes of poisonous plants. Choose a permanent place when planting, as their deep tap root which makes them highly drought tolerant also makes them difficult to transplant. KEY: A = Rarely Damaged Multiple award-winner, Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is a favorite of many gardeners for its unique, glowing dark purple stems and stunning, vertical spikes of rich, violet-blue flowers appearing in late spring or early summer. The Bottom Line. 0000008374 00000 n This is a low maintenance perennial that grows in sun or shade in average to moist soil. The only sure-fire way to keep the deer from nibbling is to put up a tall enough fence. Wall germander is another perennial herb or subshrub that deer tend not to eat. Related to foxgloves and snapdragons, a kinship evident in the vertical flower spikes and the flared, tubular blooms, which are perfect feeding stations for hummingbirds. The main difference is that Mysticas bronzy red foliage is longer lasting and stays attractive until frost, with the leaves turning an even richer red in fall and often persisting into early winter. Such plants are like true friends: You can count on them to be there for you after many a fickle flower has deserted you. We also appreciate the winter interest of its evergreen foliage. One of those interesting terms you come across in the world of gardeningis used to describe the center of a delphinium's flower: the bee. Barbara Gillette is a master gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. The deer in your yard may avoid any specific plant, but the deer down the street may find that a favorite. These bees are sometimes white or black, and they may or may not be distinct. Note that when other food sources are extremely scarce, rabbits may feed on plants that are otherwise considered rabbit-proof. Bring unique drama to your landscape with this tropical-looking yet hardy perennial. Deer have a strong-smelling sense that they use to search for food. (Zones: 6-10; Height: 1 to 1 feet; Bloom time: May to June), Firecracker penstemon. When in doubt, try to find the old-fashioned bearded varieties. Photo by: Frank Richards / Millette Photomedia. A king of the late-summer garden, Russian sage bursts forth with feathery wands of violet-purple flowers over masses of silvery foliage. Most penstemons are herbaceous perennials, but some hybrid strains are half-hardy and better suited for use as annual bedding plants. Since urban spread has taken over much of the areas that used to be available for deer graze, they can become garden pests, foraging your veggies and flowers. Acanthus species (bear's breeches) Aconitum species (monkshood) . The finely textured, fragrant, fuzzy leaves of Sweet Romance lavender are rarely on the menu for deer and other critters. This answer isn't very helpful to anyone trying to put in attractive landscape plants or grow a vegetable garden. Spot On and 'Pink-a-Blue' PulmonariaZones 3-9. Penstemons tolerate drought, but 1 inch of water per week in the summer will keep plants vigorous and promote better blooming. White-tailed deer are absolute plant-eating machines, but understanding what foods they prefer to eat will vastly improve your knowledge and effectiveness in both managing and hunting them. You can water it 1x/month without much danger. The tubular flowers make an excellent landing pad for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds alike! Enjoy its fairy-like wands of flowers knowing the deer won't be nibbling on this poisonous plant. Beardtongue plants typically bloom in early summer, filling that gap between the end of spring bulbs and the maturing of summer flowers like coneflowers, yarrow, and coreopsis. Powdery Mildew. Deer however find these herbs too much for their delicate noses to handle. Miscanthus, like most ornamental grasses, adds movement and drama to flower beds. Find more plants and get deer-proofing tips from GardenDesign.com. Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil. Lenten rose is one of those spring flowersthat bloom early in the season. Penstemons do best in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil and will even grow in soils that are mostly sand or gravel. Rosemary Arp This perennial is easy to grow from seeds planted in spring to early summer. They come in many different colors, including bicolored varieties. Named the 1996 perennial plant of the year by the Perennial Plant Association, this is one of the few that tolerates moist soils and humid climates. More about the newsletter. If you live in a warm climate, you can consider growing Spanish (L. stoechas) or French lavender (L. dentata), which are hardy to zone 7. The name is derived from the Greek words penta and stemon, referring to the flowers five stamens, four of which are fertile and one sterile. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. The deer will only eat Persimmon when they are ripe. The cool blue mound of foliage will be covered in magenta pink flowers in early summer and it will rebloom intermittently into fall. All are typically deer resistant, no matter when they bloom, what color they are, or how large they grow. Food they absolutely love are: pecans, hickory nuts, beechnut acorns, as well as acorns. Penstemons are tough, drought-tolerant plants with long bloom seasons and colorful flowers loved by hummingbirds. %PDF-1.3 % Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil, Size: To 6 feet or more tall and 4 feet wide. Hands-down one of the most graceful perennials, columbine offers wonderful flowers in shades of red, pink, violet, blue, and white. Deer also tend to steer clear of it (like they do of most other grasses) so you don't have to fear it being mowed down. Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil. Preventing deer damage. Let's be frank: there are no absolutely 100% deer-proof plants. Since it reblooms from early summer through late summer, the entertainment will last all season. They are drought tolerant once established. As fall approaches, whitetails must find and consume large quantities of carbohydrate-rich foods such as acorns, chestnuts, apples and pears. See our list of deer-resistant plants to encourage Bambi to walk on by. Plant your beardtongue in an area that receives full sun. Growing Conditions: Sun to shade, depending on selection, and moist, well-drained soil, Size: From 1 to 3 feet tall and wide, depending on type. My personal experience has been that the dried flowers of the Northern Sea oats are lovely, but if . So let's categorize some plants as "Favorite Food" and "Usually Won't Eat." Favorite Foods: beans ( Fabaceae spp.) Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home. Parallel mesh wire fences approximately 6 ft. tall placed about 4-5 ft. apart is a formidable barrier that deer will not jump (unlike a single fence). It's hard to imagine these creatures as steak . Click here to learn more about growing purple coneflower. Wet, heavy soils are unsuitable for penstemons. While its fragrant foliage is not preferred by deer, all sorts of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are dazzled by its blooms which appear around early summer. Gardeners with heavy clay may lose plants to root rot, especially in areas with heavy snow that experience a long spring thaw. Deer are browsers and will nibble on what they find; deer resistant plants are the ones they test and then walk away from. Buy deer resistant perennials - Order plants online and have them shipped right to your door. Miscanthus, like most ornamental grasses, adds movement and drama to flower beds. Plants tend to get straggly after flowering by late fall or early winter. It flowers in early June and occasionally throughout the summer. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most commonly grown type and is hardy to zone 5. So, do deer eat persimmons? 24 Pink Flowers That Add Bold Beauty to Any Garden, Low-Maintenance Perennials for the Northeast, 15 Beautiful Native Plants for Southwestern Gardens, Create a Beautiful Butterfly Garden with These Plants, The Best Low-Maintenance Summer Perennials for the Midwest, 25 Low-Maintenance Perennial Flowers Perfect for Beginners, 10 Tough Flowers for California Gardens That Are Hot and Dry, Low-Maintenance Perennials for the Pacific Northwest, 13 Summer-Flowering Shrubs That Are Super Easy to Grow, The Best Low-Maintenance Perennials for Southern Gardens, 11 Full-Sun Flowers That Bring Color Even When It's Hot and Dry, 15 Top Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest, 15 Top Native Plants for Southern Gardens, Top Deer-Resistant Plants of Georgia and the Other Southern States, Click here to learn more about top alliums to plant this fall in your garden, Click here to learn more about coralbells, Click here to learn more about growing globe thistles, Click here to learn more about other great grasses, Click here to learn more about growing penstemon, Click here to learn more about growing purple coneflower, Click here for a selection of top coneflower varieties, Click here to learn more about growing Russian sage, Click here to learn more about Shasta daisy, Click here to learn more about growing wormwood, Click here to learn more about growing yucca. 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