As both the human population and the deer population of Colorado continue to grow, there is bound to be a conflict over land use.  People find deer to be both delightful to look at and destructive to their plants and trees.  We continue to look for landscaping strategies that that address this problem.  Some findings to date:

Deer are creatures of habit, and patterns for foraging can be somewhat predictable.  Repellent products may help by changing the usual path they take through your yard.  The feedback on Feather Meal (turkey feathers that are cooked, ground and dried) is that it has been successful for many when used as a barrier and aromatic defense. 

Choose plants that deer tend to avoid such as marigolds, larkspur, zinnias, delphinium, impatiens, lupine and yarrow to name a few. 

Plant highly susceptible plants close to the house inside a fenced yard.  The Department of Wildlife recommends a 6’ high fence.  Maintain container gardens on a deck or patio.

Young, tender growth is highly desirable to deer.  Provide healthy soil for plants, avoid fertilization that promotes tasty, tender leaves.  Toughened foliage is less attractive.  Protect new growth by applying Fertilome Deer Away, a bitter tasting product.  Water, egg yolk, and a hot pepper combination can also be helpful as a repellant.

Camouflage gardening uses plants that contain natural chemicals and characteristics that deter deer—e.g., bitter taste; coarse prickly leaves; milky, sticky sap.

Aromatic gardening uses a wide variety of strong odorous plants.  Deer rely on their sense of smell when determining what to eat so using a wide variety of aromatic plants within a landscape may confuse them and encourage them to leave the area.  Both Feather Meal and Blood Meal may be included in the aromatic confusion.

Look to purchase shrub saving cages. Designed much like tomato cages, these screens fit directly over shrubs, allowing some leaves to grow through.  Deer can eat only as far as the cage, thus saving the main body of the shrub.

Protect young tender trees (under 3” in diameter) with scent barriers or a wire cage.

Although there are no “sure-fire” methods of protecting your garden from deer there are a variety of plants, trees and shrubs that are more deer resistant than others including:  Lantana, Catmint, Astilbe, Beebalm, Blanket Flower, Bleeding Heart, Foxglove, Candytuft, Columbine, Iris, Lamb’s Ear, Purple Coneflower, Red Hot Poker, Yarrow, Conifers, Hackberry, HoneyLocust, Oak, Flowering Quince, Holly, Junipers, Lilacs, and Vibernum. 

For any questions you have on this article, or any topic of concern, email us—or better yet, come by and talk to one of our professional staff members.  Remember, Phelan Gardens is open year-round!   

For additional information, check the following links:  

• Gardening Pacific Northwest - Gardening amidst deer
• Deer control
• Deer-resistant plants