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Writer's pictureCynthia Brian

Oh Deer!



 "We are part of the earth, and it is part of us… the deer, the horse, the great eagle: these are our brothers.”

– 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

Beet tops

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!

 

Happy Gardening. Happy Growing.


 



For more gardening advice for all seasons, check out Growing with the Goddess Gardener at 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  https://www.CynthiaBrian.com


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