In my previous column I lamented about the extensive damage that our “dear” deer have caused to so many of the arborvitae and eunonomous in our area over the past few winters. It is sad to see the tall stately arborvitae nibbled clearly back to the main tree trunk from bottom to as high as the deer’s little necks can reach. In the case of my neighbor’s 32 baby arborvitae that he planted 2 years ago to mark his property line, seeing them eaten from the top down to the ground revealing only “sticks” as opposed to the taller arborvitae looking like “lollipops” eaten from the bottom up was enough for him to replace them all with a chain link fence. So…lesson learned. Deer-proof your garden, don’t plant what deer will enjoy, (and they enjoy a lot of crazy things). Instead, as spring approaches here are 5 suggestions for perennials that will beautify your garden and keep it gorgeous all season long. Best thing of all, however, is that deer hate them!! But I love them, hope you do too.
Number one on the list of spring beauties to deer-proof your garden with are: Daffodils, Narcissus. Plant these bulbs in fall, in well-drained soil. They need sun in spring but do well on woodland edges where the light is dappled in summer (when daffodils are dormant). Daffodil bulbs last for years. The foliage will die back naturally, giving energy back into the bulb for next year’s growth. Deer do not like these yea! But watch out for the squirrels. Other plants that match up well with daffodils are: Snow- drops and Hyacinth also deer-resistant.
Number two of deer-resistant perennials are: Hellebore. Plant Hellebore in light to full shade in soil amended with compost. You will notice variations in leaf size among certain species. Cut off tattered foliage when buds appear so you can see the flowers. There is Christmas Rose Hellebore (helleborus Niger) which blooms in winter. Lenten Rose Hellebore (helleborus hybridus) which blooms in early spring. And Stinking Hellebore (helleborus foetidus) whose blooms have an unpleasant odor when crushed. Good plants to match with Hellebore are: Bleeding Heart, Snow drops and Bluebells.
Number three of the deer-resistant perennials are: Lambs Ear, (stachys Byzantina). This grows well in full sun and well-drained soil. It is very easy to grow and often spreading to form a silver mat of soft ground cover. This heavily textured leaf foliage makes it deer-resistant. It matches well with Purple Coneflower and yellow Coreopsis.
Number four of the deer-resistant perennials are: Monkshood, (aconitum). Monkshood usually flourishes in full sun but can handle light shade. The flowers resemble Delphinium; standing tall and stately with their blue, pink and purple flowers. CAUTION this plant is poisonous, so wear gloves when planting and deadheading. They have been grown for centuries, just be careful. Monkshood matches will with Coreopsis and Black-eyed Susan.
Number five of the deer-resistant perennials are: Allium. Allium bulbs can be planted in the fall and bloom in late-spring and summer. They prefer bright or dappled light and well-drained soil. These plants usually grow tall (3ft) with showy softball size purple flower heads. Notably the “Globmaster Allium” stands 3 ft tall and matches well with Foxglove. Being of the onion family makes it un-welcome by the deer family.
I hope that you will, or may have already, tried some of these lovely deer-resistant perennials. They will surely beautify your gardens while giving many seasons of gorgeous blossoms without the worry of being eaten by the “dear” deer.
Cheers
April 2019
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