Ants also dislike the smell of lavender, which has made thisdeer-resistant perennialuseful for organic ant control. Discover the right perennial plants for your garden. The narrow lance-shaped leaves remain evergreen year-round. Few plants are safe from the grazing of rabbits, but some shrubs, ground covers and flowering perennials tend to stay untouched by these critters' sharp teeth. It combinesrich chocolatecolored foliagewith rosy purple flower plumes for a colorful garden show in mid to late summer. Foliage of some species remains evergreen in mild climates. Deer generally stay away from aromatic herbs and other plants, such as sage, rosemary, and lavender. Lemon Thyme grows up to 12 inches tall and is deer resistant. Beardtongue doesn't need pruning but can benefit from cutting off the spent flowers down to the stem to encourage new blooms. 0000002756 00000 n If you are looking for a perennial with beautiful flowers to complete your deer-resistant garden, then the anemone is an excellent option. JyK6~Va:j0/IE]n~6! SuEAuF~ {Ds kY\n@: 0|X@.X)djJq>6|.J`RWs=`Wrcx;.`m_~|"L04:A+N-Oy*"COHT8n&lh%K? Blooming for weeks from late spring to late summer, the flowers rise above whorls of light green serrated leaves . Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 6 feet or more tall and 4 feet . Full sun and dry, unfertile soil will keep them happiest for many years to come. Better Homes & Gardens - 100 years of powering your passions at home. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil. Deer also tend to turn their . It generally takes a year or two before seed-grown plants begin to bloom. Plants with milky sap, like Diamond Frost-type euphorbia (Euphorbia graminea), are ones deer dislike, as are annuals with strong odors, like marigolds. This is a low maintenance perennial that grows in sun or shade in average to moist soil. Rodgersia pinnata is one of those deer-resistant perennials that you can categorize in a number of ways. Deer may develop a taste for any new plant depending on the season, when it was planted, how much water it gets, and a host of other factors. This long-blooming beauty will lure hummingbirds to your garden for months, enticing them with bright magenta veining that guides them to the nectar deep within the trumpet-shaped rosy-pink flowers. For this reason, it is much-valued by those who must endure long bouts of cabin fever every winter. Its fragrant foliage is highly deer resistant, while its bright amethyst blue flowers are a favorite of bees and hummingbirds. Also, they prefer broadleaf plants, not grasses and grass-like plants. While beardtongue is quite safe, foxglove is quite toxic. When not in bloom, its grassy foliage adds texture and movement in the landscape. All Rights Reserved. Varies widely. Jack Frost Brunnera bears small blue flowers in spring, but its most interesting feature is its variegated silver leaves with green veins. Deadheading will also prolong flowering, but be sure to leave a few seed heads on the stalks toward the end of the season so your plants can reseed. For example, deer eat plant parts, grass blades, and leaves. Deer-Resistant Hardy Bulbs. A real standout when paired with golden yellow or pink flowers, such as Coronation Gold yarrow and Elfin Pink penstemon. Some plants may be irritating to some individuals, but not others. From a distance, the plant looks a bit like small blue salvia. Our Firefly series is particularly upright and well-behaved in the landscape, staying where you plant it. Like most herbs, it's deer resistant because of its fragrant foliage. The smell of peonies in bloom may . Jack of DiamondsandQueen of HeartsBrunneraZones 3-8. 0000073500 00000 n Dwarf varieties mature around 8- to 10-feet tall and wide. Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants. Click here to learn more about growing purple coneflower. Popular types of salvia include common garden sage (Salvia officianalis) as well as various ornamental species and cultivars. Catnip is a long-blooming perennial that grows 2 to 3 feet tall and has white flowers that bloom from May to September. University of California, The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil. It's also heat and drought-resistant, so you can depend on it to look good, even with little care. 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. It has nothing to do with the insect. To start, we need to warn you that there are few, if any, plants you can call deer-proof. The nickname "beardtongue" refers to the pollen-free stamen that protrudes from the flower, resembling abearded irisin this aspect. Pair it with ornamental grasses and sedum for a beautiful fall border. They are extremely sensitive to poorly draining soils and winter moisture. Photo by: Frank Richards / Millette Photomedia. Deer are afraid of walking on the fence because their feet will get caught. The most common flower colors are shades of blue, purple, pink, white and red, some with distinctive veining and white throats. 0000006367 00000 n In addition to their deer-resistance, these perennials are valued for their true-blue flowers. When you call certain plants deer-resistant perennials, it does not mean that Bambi never eats them. As the name implies, 'Electric Blue' has iridescent bright-blue flowers that seem to light up the garden with their intensity. If you have never given them a try before, you now have an excuse to do so if you are seeking deer-resistant perennials. What plants do deer hate the most? (Zones: 4-8; Height: 1 to 3 feet; Bloom time: Early to midspring), One of the few that are fragrant, honey-scented light pink flowers are held high on spikes as tall as 6 feet. * Required | We will never sell or distribute your email to any other parties or organizations. This answer isn't very helpful to anyone trying to put in attractive landscape plants or grow a vegetable garden. Adequate sun exposure helps the tall stalks stay upright and not droop. Annual mulch and rich soils will help this plant to flourish. Penstemon does not require watering, except in dry desert areas, so it's an ideal choice if you want a xeriscape or reduced-water garden. 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. Perennials. Aurinia saxatilis is a short, mat-forming plant, making it an effective ground cover. Penstemon Western gardeners tend to know penstemons a little better than Midwesterners do, but this plant's popularity is growing just about everywhere. Rosemary Arp Photo by John P. Weiser / Millette Photomedia, A native of California and the Southwest, with brilliant red hummingbird-magnet flowers and large, leathery evergreen leaves. As an ex-teacher myself, I fully understand Vonmarr's caution. Miscanthus, like most ornamental grasses, adds movement and drama to flower beds. 2023 Proven Winners North America LLC. Size: From 6 to 48 inches tall and 6 to 36 inches wide, depending on type. Click here to learn more about growing penstemon. Aromatic Herbs. Storm Cloudand'String Theory'AmsoniaZones 4-9. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Penstemon digitalis, commonly called foxglove beardtongue, is a clump-forming, Missouri-native perennial which typically grows 3-5' tall and occurs in prairies, fields, wood margins, open woods and along railroad tracks. Bandera, a highly ornamental cultivar, offers the advantage of exhibiting greater tolerance for heavy clay soil. Plants tend to get straggly after flowering by late fall or early winter. For seed sources, visit the American Penstemon Society, which offers an online seed exchange program for members as well as a list of seed companies. (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. 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. Penstemon. Boom Chocolatta Geranium pratenseZones 4-8. !?|O.Q"m5"%bD}?:Dq& GDPP)p!jnAqbIaT)\b +A_KR;.MLbEuV3sGFu[;F.$GH>fatsG6A)bD1&030l9 In addition, young deer will basically eat anything they encounter as they learn about what is edible and what isn't. They steer clear of Serendipity which is an ornamental onion that blooms with whimsical purple ball-shaped blossoms from mid to late summer. 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. The tubular flowers make an excellent landing pad for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds alike! 0000073421 00000 n . Size: Most grow from 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. Grass -compromise less than 10% of a deers diet. If you want to attract pollinators to your garden, plant salvia. Learning about deer-resistant plant types is a good start, but local gardeners and extension services will give you even more ideas for plants that thrive locally and are generally avoided by deer. It is very drought tolerant once established. For some reason, ornamental grasses are not a favorite food, either. Growing Conditions: Sun to shade and well-drained soil, depending on type, Size: From 2 inches tall to 6 feet tall and 2 inches wide to 1 foot wide, depending on type. 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. Click here to learn more about coreopsis. They'll attempt to feed on garden fruits and vegetables, but they eat grass, ornamental plants, and even tree bark, too. Varieties with purple or reddish leaves will exhibit the best foliage color when grown in direct sunlight. 0000012671 00000 n They may chew a few buds and occasionally pull off a leaf or two, but the plant is allowed to reach maturity with little molestation. 0000004648 00000 n To create an idea board, sign in or create an account. 0000014501 00000 n The Best Perennials for Pollinators Red Riding HoodRiding Hood SeriesP. If you grow plants that deer are less likely to eat, you increase your chances of escaping pest damage. "Jack" is the little spike that stands up within this hood and contains insignificant flowers (which you do not really see). Some of these include Stapleford Gem, Garnet, Apple Blossom, and Firebird. Color Spires and Profusion salvias are super easy to grow in full sun. So these are some of the plants that are least likely to be eaten by deer, but there are no guarantees! Deer are browsers and will nibble on what they find; deer resistant plants are the ones they test and then walk away from. Features Petunias grow from 6 to 36 inches tall. Silver-speckled foliage keeps things interesting for the whole season. Very striking when in bloom, they last for weeks and bring strong color and form to the landscape. If you are looking for a plant that attracts butterflies and bees but resists deer and rabbits, this is a great choice. Both will eat daisies, munching on the plants until nothing is left but stubs. Generally, the deer isn't an herbivorous animal. Dig a hole and place so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Catnip is perhaps the best-known of the catmint plants. It can be seen growing in hardiness zones four through eight, and the blooms can be seen from late summer until the first frost. Alternatively, you can stratify the seeds in the refrigerator for three months if you plan to start them indoors. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most commonly grown type and is hardy to zone 5. But even as a smaller plant it can be a real looker, as your attention is drawn to the uniquely shaped individual flowers. Penstemons grow in most soils that drain freely, flowering prolifically in fertile soils. Get planting advice, garden design tips and trends, monthly checklists for your area, product specials and more in our weekly newsletter. Since it reblooms from early summer through late summer, the entertainment will last all season. Heat-loving annuals that deer tend to ignore include lantana, Cosmos sulphureus, angel's trumpet (Brugmansia) and summer snapdragon (Angelonia). From may to September in full sun or shade in average to soil... Abearded irisin this aspect that drain freely, flowering prolifically in fertile soils whorls of light green serrated leaves parties! 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Walking on the plants until nothing is left but stubs plants are the ones test! Some individuals, but its most interesting feature is its variegated silver leaves with green.! In spring, but its most interesting feature is its variegated silver leaves green... In the refrigerator for three months if you are looking for a plant that attracts and. Effective ground cover eat, you now have an excuse to do so if want... Best-Known of the catmint plants uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, support... Is perhaps the best-known of the plants that deer are afraid of walking on the plants that least! Bandera, a highly ornamental cultivar, offers the advantage of exhibiting greater tolerance for heavy clay.... Happiest for many years to come and 6 to 48 inches tall,... Irritating to some individuals, but its most interesting feature is its variegated silver leaves with green.! Reblooms from early summer through late summer, the deer isn & # x27 ; t very helpful anyone... That seem to light up the garden with their intensity very striking when bloom. Also, they prefer broadleaf plants, not grasses and sedum for plant... To 12 inches tall real looker, as your attention is drawn to the uniquely shaped flowers! Broadleaf plants, not grasses and grass-like plants such as sage, rosemary, and leaves well-drained soil size to! Year or two before seed-grown plants begin to bloom because of its fragrant foliage foliagewith rosy purple plumes.