By Cynthia Brian
“We are part of the earth, and it is part of us… the deer, the horse, the great eagle: these are our brothers.”
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– Chief Seattle.
Now that fall has arrived, foraging deer have become a nuisance in suburban gardens. The Columbian Blacktail was abundant during the 18th century in California. The population plummeted after the Goldrush due to over-hunting for venison and rawhide. The Department of Fish and Game speculates that between 1900-1910, fewer than 300,000 deer of all species roamed the state. In 1907, deer hunting was regulated resulting in deer residents soaring to over a million by the 1940s. The decline of the horned herbivores began when fire suppression increased, agricultural plots swelled, and wildlands became suburban developments. Yet, the dear deer acclimated to their new environment and today claim our gardens as their favorite restaurants.
As I’ve been busy with garden consultations this past month, the issue of deer damage continues to be a major concern. The hills are dry, edible resources have diminished, and the most inviting source of delectable treats grows in our private landscapes. Oh deer!
As a child, I remember going out into the orchards and vineyards on our farm at dusk every September evening to scare the herds as they could easily devour a year’s harvest. All the methods we tried didn’t work until we built fences surrounding the property.
I have always admired these beautiful, gentle creatures, and I enjoy watching the big bucks in the hills, sometimes sparring. In the spring when the mothers show their fawns where the newly sprouted green weeds are growing, I am doubly delighted. As much as I enjoy these wild, peaceful prowlers, like all gardeners, I don’t want them devouring my plants.
It is essential to be clear. There is NO DEER-PROOF plant. If the animal is hungry enough, he or she will eat anything. The only deer-proof garden is a fenced garden. In this article, I’ll share a few strategies for you to attempt. However, I reiterate, that the only foolproof method is to fence your yard. Since most people don’t fence their front gardens, I am including a list of plants that deer relish munching and a list of plants they prefer not to consume, although they’ll eat the new, tender shoots of most. Keep this handy list as a reference as you plan to plant.
What plants are deer attracted to?
Deer enjoy sweet, soft, delicate plants that won’t annoy their tongues or their sensitive palates.
If you want to offer deer a bountiful buffet, these are a few of the plants they gravitate to:
Agapanthus
Pansies
Daylilies
Hosta
Violas
Violets
Dahlia
Tulips
Sunflower
Crocus
Gerbera
Hydrangea
Rhododendron
Azalea
Hibiscus
Clematis
Hollyhock
Morning glory
Blackberries
English ivy
Grape vines
Kiwi
Peas
Greens (lettuce, spinach, chard)
Beans
Cabbage
Broccoli
Beets
Carrot tops
Corn
Deer-Resistant Species
In general, marauding stags and does stays away from strong-smelling, bitter-tasting, fuzzy, leathery, spiny, toxic, and fibrous foliage. They will eat these as a last resort because no flower or leaf is deer-proof. They innately know what plants are poisonous. If you want to deter deer from dining chez vous, try planting the selections below.
Natives:
Yarrow
Manzanita
Sage (salvias)
Pot marigolds
California poppies
Milkweed
Ferns
California Fuchsia
Deer Grass
Pink flowering currant
Elderberry
Blue-eyed grass
California lilac (ceanothus)
Grevillea (peaches and cream)
Muhly grass
Jerusalem sage
Other Perennial Plants
Bee Balm
Lavender
Catmint
Society Garlic
Ornamental onion
Echinacea
Hardy Geranium
Pinks
Astilbe
Red hot poker
Peony
Dusty Miller
Lambs ear
Hellebore
Penstemon
Digitalis (Foxglove)
Sea Foam Statice
Ferns
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Russian Sage
Sea Holly
Nigella
Nasturtium
Kangaroo Paw
Cosmos
Rudbeckia
Lantana
Gaillardia (Blanket flower)
Sweet Alyssum
Camellia
Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)
Primrose
Bulbs
Crocosmia
Wild leeks
Daffodils
Iris
Allium
Dutch iris
Crocus
Woodland hyacinth
Naked Ladies
Anemone
Annuals
Verbena
Snapdragon
Marigold
Bachelor Buttons
Calendula
Annual Vinca
Lobelia
Larkspur
Tobacco
Stock
Strawflower
Mexican Sunflower
Zinnia
Bushes
Boxwood
Butterfly Bush
Viburnum
Deutzia
Rose of Sharon
Daphne
Lilac
Weigela
Chinese Fringe flowers
Barberry
Russian Sage
Silky Dogwood
Vines:
Passionflower
Pink Bower Vine
Other Grasses (many grasses are not recommended due to being fire-prone)
Lomandra grass
Mexican Feather grass
Zebra grass
Fountain grass
New Zealand flax
Egyptian Papyrus
Mondo grass
Blue Oat grass
Deer Deterrents
Many people have experimented with deer deterrents. Other than allowing your dogs to roam the perimeter installing fencing around the area, or putting wire around every single plant, I have not found that any of these worked. Give any a try and let me know if you are successful.
1. Sprays that include rotten eggs, panther urine, garlic, and soap. If sprayed everywhere every few days, you might be in luck. Deer Away and Liquid Fence have been mentioned as effective when used according to directions.
2. Motion-activate sprinklers. They do work to scare the deer away, but I hate wasting a drop of water.
3. Whirly flags or spin wheels, but you’d need a dozen or more.
4. Shaved soap, usually Irish Spring. I think the herbivores loved the clean scent.
When the foraging pickings are slim, the deer adapt to whatever is available. In autumn, deer lack sustainable food resources. Our lush landscapes are extremely attractive to them. As you decide what to plant this season, select smartly and with the knowledge that no plant is deer-proof.
We are all part of this earth. Do your best to get along with our nature’s brothers and sisters.
Dear deer!
Read Lamorinda Weekly:https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1816/Digging-Deep-with-Goddess-Gardener-Cynthia-Brian-Dear-Deer.html
Substack: Deer Dear: https://open.substack.com/pub/cynthiabrian/p/deer-dear?
Happy Gardening. Happy Growing.
For more gardening advice for all seasons, check out Growing with the Goddess Gardenerat https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/books. Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 which was just honored as the 2024 Nonprofit of the Year by the Moraga Chamber of Commerce.
Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com. Her newest children’s picture book, Books in the Barnyard: Oh Deer!, from the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures is available at https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store. Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures. Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com
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