The amount of water youll need to give them will often depend on the water-holding capacity of your soil and the origin of the varieties you have chosen. Size: To 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide. Proven Winners varieties of Russian sage have tidy habits that won't spill over onto their neighbors in the garden. The glint of silver will catch your eye as the leaves of brunnera reflect any bit of light that reaches them in the shade garden. Red Riding HoodRiding Hood SeriesP. 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. Do not let this perennial dry out. Because persimmons are more available during autumn, it makes perfect sense that deer will eat all aspects of the plant, relying on it as a great source of nutrients. Add incredible color to your garden with this relatively petite, 12-16" tall coneflower that blooms nearly all summer long. Part of the plantain family (Plantaginaceae), penstemons are a huge genus of plants encompassing approximately 270 species and over 800 cultivars and hybrids. All you have to do is harvest the leafy stems, hang them up to dry, then crush the dried leaves for your cat. Be inspired with our Gardener's Idea Book and Winner's Circle newsletter, 22 Deer Resistant Perennial Plants from Proven Winners. Midnight Masquerade Penstemon hybrid. Then you can avoid some of them and replace them with resistant varieties. Phone: 630-719-2424. Hybrids bred for garden conditions are not as drought tolerant as native species and may require watering during prolonged dry spells. One of the most dramatic bulbs, allium is also one of the most versatile with types ranging from little 6-inch-tall Allium moly to the 3-foot-tall 'Globemaster' with 8-inch-wide flowers. For nursery starts, remove plant from the container and gently tease out the roots if potbound. The cool blue mound of foliage will be covered in magenta pink flowers in early summer and it will rebloom intermittently into fall. Grass -compromise less than 10% of a deers diet. (Zones: 3-8; Height: 3 to 5 feet; Bloom time: May to June), A California native with glossy blue-green leaves and blue flowers on slender spikes. Brunnera makes a beautiful companion for ferns, foamflowers and other deer resistant shade perennials. A longtime favorite of many gardeners, coreopsis is a tough native plant with a long bloom season and starry flowers in shades of yellow or pink. 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? Plant Details Drought tolerant, tough as nails, and deer resistant. Ornamental grasses are popular landscape plants and surprisingly, deer tend to stay away from them. It is a nicely scented low-growing perennial herb with delicate leaves that loves the sun. This selection has brilliant cherry-red flowers held on tall, upright stems above dense, glossy green foliage. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, A State-by-State Guide to Deer Resistant Plants, How to Grow and Care for 'Black Knight' Delphinium, 31 Best-Deer Resistant Flowers and Plants to Grow, 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping, 25 Low-Maintenance Ground Cover Plants for Sun and Shade, 18 Perennial Flowers That Bloom in Spring, Summer and Fall, 35 Types of Orange Flowers: Identification & Photos, Common Bleeding Hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis), Fringed Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra eximia), Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), Jack Frost Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'), Columbine Meadow Rue (Thalictrum aquilegiifolium). Most have fan-shaped foliage that looks ornamental even when not in bloom. Penstemon digitalis is commonly called Mississippi Penstemon because it is thought to have once been indigenous only to habitats in the Mississippi River Basin. Its fine to amend the soil with compost to achieve proper tilth but avoid manure applications. They need full sun. Perennials. Just like we see with people, a deer's preferred foods differ from individual to individual. Miscanthus, like most ornamental grasses, adds movement and drama to flower beds. Plants that rabbits dislike include lavender, penstemon, artemesia, hyssop, sages, shasta daisy, gaillardia, common butterfly bush, blue mist spirea and columbine. Its fragrant foliage is highly deer resistant, while its bright amethyst blue flowers are a favorite of bees and hummingbirds. Think salvia, sweet alyssum, snapdragons, poppies, globe amaranth, lantana, and cleome. They are extremely sensitive to poorly draining soils and winter moisture. Cultivars include 'Blue Springs' and Electric Blue. Two popular selections include rosy pink Red Rocks and violet purple Pikes Peak Purple. Do bunny rabbits eat plants? Cats, on the other hand, famously love the leaves of this perennial herb. These articles answer common questions about deer, including what they eat, when they're most active, the reproductive cycle and process, and the ways deer interact with humans in the suburbs and elsewhere. Microorganisms allow symbiotic links between the deer digestive system and the foods it needs to digest and process to use for nutrients for the animal. Persimmon trees are a great way to attract deer and a wise addition to any food plot or hunting area. Even when not in bloom, 'Midnight Masquerade' retains its dark purple foliage color all season long. These flowers live a long life; your peonies may outlive you! Salvia, or sage plants, include a range of species, most of which are considered deer-resistant for the same reason that deer do not eat catmint and bee balm: they stink. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. When placed in the garden, give the plants plenty of room, about 1 to 3 feet apart. This perennial wins the prize for best bloomer; it starts bearing its clusters of golden-yellow flowers in early spring and continues nonstop all the way to frost. Without its clusters of tall summertime blooms, its architectural foliage adds a distinct look to any garden. Deer have a strong-smelling sense that they use to search for food. Drought tolerant and deer resistant, this Salvia is a real magnet for . It is thought that deer may leave coneflowers alone due to their spiny cones. When you call certain plants deer-resistant perennials, it does not mean that Bambi never eats them. Penstemons do best in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil and will even grow in soils that are mostly sand or gravel. Lamb's ear is another case of a deer-resistant perennial that is hard to figure. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. 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. A top plant of the late-summer garden, Russian sage bursts forth with impressive wands of violet-purple flowers over masses of silvery foliage. Western gardeners tend to know penstemons a little better than Midwesterners do, but this plant's popularity is growing just about everywhere. Deer; Penstemon laevigatus 24 Pink Flowers That Add Bold Beauty to Any Garden, Low-Maintenance Perennials for the Northeast, 15 Beautiful Native Plants for Southwestern Gardens, Create a Beautiful Butterfly Garden with These Plants, The Best Low-Maintenance Summer Perennials for the Midwest, 25 Low-Maintenance Perennial Flowers Perfect for Beginners, 10 Tough Flowers for California Gardens That Are Hot and Dry, Low-Maintenance Perennials for the Pacific Northwest, 13 Summer-Flowering Shrubs That Are Super Easy to Grow, The Best Low-Maintenance Perennials for Southern Gardens, 11 Full-Sun Flowers That Bring Color Even When It's Hot and Dry, 15 Top Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest, 15 Top Native Plants for Southern Gardens, Top Deer-Resistant Plants of Georgia and the Other Southern States, Click here to learn more about top alliums to plant this fall in your garden, Click here to learn more about coralbells, Click here to learn more about growing globe thistles, Click here to learn more about other great grasses, Click here to learn more about growing penstemon, Click here to learn more about growing purple coneflower, Click here for a selection of top coneflower varieties, Click here to learn more about growing Russian sage, Click here to learn more about Shasta daisy, Click here to learn more about growing wormwood, Click here to learn more about growing yucca. It blooms in late spring with vibrant rose magenta flowers that last for a long time. The deer in your yard may avoid any specific plant, but the deer down the street may find that a favorite. For example, deer eat plant parts, grass blades, and leaves. Mushrooms -are high in phosphorous and proteins that aid in the growth and development of deer muscles. For some types, the sky-blue color is as stunning as it is on the blue morning glory vines (Ipomoea tricolor). 0000070586 00000 n Most fruit varieties are available in dwarf, semi-dwarf and standard sizes. Catnip is a long-blooming perennial that grows 2 to 3 feet tall and has white flowers that bloom from May to September. 0000014501 00000 n 0000001231 00000 n The nickname "beardtongue" refers to the pollen-free stamen that protrudes from the flower, resembling abearded irisin this aspect. Annual mulch and rich soils will help this plant to flourish. Luckily, that means gardeners can plant swathes of vibrantly hued purple, pink or white veronicas in their sunny to lightly shaded landscapes with no worries. The plantain family (Plantaginaceae) gifts us with some wonderful ornamental flowering plants, including snapdragons, foxglove, and the valuablePenstemon genus,which contains more than 250 beardtongue species ready to grow in your garden. Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil. If nothing else is available, the deer will definitely go for coleus. If they are hungry enough, deer will eat pretty much anything. This is a low maintenance perennial that grows in sun or shade in average to moist soil. The name is derived from the Greek words penta and stemon, referring to the flowers five stamens, four of which are fertile and one sterile. 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. Ground Cover Choose a permanent place when planting, as their deep tap root which makes them highly drought tolerant also makes them difficult to transplant. In Southern gardens, plants that don't have adequate soil drainage or are planted too closely together may succumb to powdery mildew or Southern blight, a fungal disease also known as white mold. These plants have earned a reputation as being most passed up by deer in your region. As the plants mature, they become denser with more flowers, persisting 50 years or more in the landscape. Look for varieties with foliage in shades of purple, bronze, and green -- as well as selections variegated with white, cream, or pink. Denim n Laceand'Sage Advice'PerovskiaZones 4-9. Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. Masahiro Nakano/a.collectionRF/Getty Images. Fungicide sprays treat symptoms but not the cause, so lighten your heavy soils with compost, or plant penstemons in raised beds to add air circulation for the roots. It is hard to think of a cuter and more aptly named plant. Deer-Resistant Plants Could it be the common name of lungwort that makes deer and rabbits avoid this shade perennial? }FXQb4V`*d_JF6ncZE}fS0j>k3?G9$f@PMv8_+<6$5) #%6i`:c&SQ[sXfHgljJKC{HVSRGE0Dh It flowers in early June and occasionally throughout the summer. For a standout variety, look for 'Becky' or 'Alaska'. For some reason, ornamental grasses are not a favorite food, either. Dry the pods left over after the blooming period for craft projects. Gardeners with heavy clay may lose plants to root rot, especially in areas with heavy snow that experience a long spring thaw. Its fragrant foliage is highly deer resistant, while its bright amethyst blue flowers are a favorite of bees and hummingbirds. Deer hate the smell of these plants, so they generally don't eat them. The plant can produce white, purple, or mauve flowers. Plants can grow as trailing ground cover or as hedges. Spray immediately with clear varnish. Deer have also been known to eat unripened persimmon fruits, espe-cially on occasions when they have limited food sources. Deer won't eat ferns unless there are no better options close. Meanwhile, as plants that tolerate dry shade, they are useful for filling up spots in your landscaping where many other plants would be unhappy. These fuzzy, mustard-yellow flower spikes will gladly brighten up the shady side of your house. They come in many different colors, including bicolored varieties. The main difference is that Mysticas bronzy red foliage is longer lasting and stays attractive until frost, with the leaves turning an even richer red in fall and often persisting into early winter. Bees will drop by when this perennial is in bloom in the springtime, visiting each tiny blue blossom that dances above the foliage. They are also low in tannins that inhibit digestion. All are great for gardens since they're tough, drought-tolerant picks with long bloom seasons and colorful flowers loved by hummingbirds. This ultra-tough plant takes heat and drought like a champion and still looks beautiful. Some deer-resistant plants should not are toxic to humans and pets, so be wary of the following plants: The most widely grown bleeding heart is Lamprocapnos spectabilis (formerly known as Dicentra spectabilis). Plant the seed at a depth of to inch and keep the soil moist after planting for natural stratification to occur. One look at this plant's unique flowers tells you where it gets its common name. 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. 0000073342 00000 n 0000011924 00000 n Hands-down one of the most graceful perennials, columbine offers wonderful flowers in shades of red, pink, violet, blue, and white. Food they absolutely love are: pecans, hickory nuts, beechnut acorns, as well as acorns. COLOR SPIRESandProfusionSalviaZones 3-8. 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. There is almost nothing a deer will not eat if it is hungry enough, but some plants, optimistically termed "deer resistant," are lower on the deer's list of preferred dining. Trees: DO NOT prune red oaks and live oaks unless damaged. Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. 0000002588 00000 n English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most commonly grown type and is hardy to zone 5. Wall germander is another perennial herb or subshrub that deer tend not to eat. Deer possess small stomachs specially adapted for digesting small amounts of easily digestible foods like shoots, leaves, soft twigs, mushrooms, and lichen. The Best Perennials for Pollinators Click here to learn more about coreopsis. Penstemon Western gardeners tend to know penstemons a little better than Midwesterners do, but this plant's popularity is growing just about everywhere. Growing Conditions: Sun to shade, depending on selection, and moist, well-drained soil, Size: From 1 to 3 feet tall and wide, depending on type. Adequate sun exposure helps the tall stalks stay upright and not droop. Deer also tend to turn their . The brightly colored Japanese Blood Grass is a popular choice. Pair it with ornamental grasses and sedum for a beautiful fall border. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. 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. Rocky Mountain penstemon is an upright perennial that forms a mat of glossy green leaves from which arise straight, 2-foot-tall stems bearing rich purple blooms. Space taller varieties 12 inches apart, and shorter varieties 6 inches apart. Blooming for weeks from late spring to late summer, the flowers rise above whorls of light green serrated leaves . Acanthus species (bear's breeches) Aconitum species (monkshood) . They will not flower much in shade. It's somewhat slow to start and needs 10 to 21 days to germinate. The only sure-fire way to keep the deer from nibbling is to put up a tall enough fence. This long-bloomer, also known as speedwell, begins flowering in late spring to early summer and continues for the rest of the growing season with a little help from you. Deer love some types of food that are not necessarily available all the time. Canadian wild ginger offers fuzzy foliage and is native to North America; European ginger (shown) bears glossy evergreen leaves. It can thrive in a range of humidity conditions. Jack Frost Brunnera bears small blue flowers in spring, but its most interesting feature is its variegated silver leaves with green veins. Silver-speckled foliage keeps things interesting for the whole season. Size: To 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide, depending on type. Some species are under 10 inches tall, while others can grow up to 6 feet. If you prefer blue flowers, grow any of the blue-flowering salvias. Size: From 1 to 4 feet tall and 6 to 36 inches wide, depending on type. Deer will readily consume apples, pears, plums, persimmons, and mulberries. Penstemons do best in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil and will even grow in soils that are mostly sand or gravel. 0000019263 00000 n "Jack" is the little spike that stands up within this hood and contains insignificant flowers (which you do not really see). Most penstemons are 1 to 3 feet tall, but Palmers penstemon can grow up to 6 feet, giving you options for the middle and back of the border. 0000011262 00000 n Do deer eat Penstemon plants? The beauty and variability of penstemons have brought them to the forefront of home gardening, especially in areas subjected to droughts, says Jennifer Bennett, author of Dryland Gardening. The range of flower colors cover the full penstemon spectrum. The fuzzy, fragrant foliage ofcatmintis detested by deer. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. 0000015885 00000 n Standing 30-32" tall, it's perfect for filling the middle layer of the perennial border with interesting texture. A 3-inch layer of organic mulch can help to control weeds, and rock mulch is also a suitable choice. Deer are attracted to pansies because of their sweet aroma and the fact that they're usually well-watered and fertilized. As an ex-teacher myself, I fully understand Vonmarr's caution. The most common flower colors are shades of blue, purple, pink, white and red, some with distinctive veining and white throats. A deer needs to consume about 6% to 8% of its body weight daily, from spring through fall, in green foliage and browse, to stay healthy. It, like many other plants disliked by deer, bears scented foliage -- so it's nice to grow this plant where you can occasionally walk by and enjoy its scent. Penstemon love hot, sunny, dry growing conditions. We savor the aromas of sage, dill, fennel, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, thyme and mint. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Caradonna salvia is a favorite for its dark, graceful flower spikes. When that happens, it is a spectacular plant, as the species name suggests. FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Plants, Design Ideas, Gardening Solutions & More! 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. Do deer eat berries? 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. Dressed in purple from head to toe, this stunning hybrid flaunts lavender purple flowers rising on dark purple stems above full clumps of lush eggplant-purple foliage. Unlike many other bleeding hearts which require shade, this alpine variety thrives in full sun and very well-drained soil. Most have scented foliage, which is bad for deer. The scent and texture of the foliage make it less appealing to deer and rabbits, but bees will enjoy its blooms. Because of their low fiber diet, deer must eat every few hours. Best in full sun to part shade. Light up your summer garden with these bright yellow flowers. If you like the foliage of columbine, then you would probably also enjoy a plant called Columbine meadow rue. Dwarf varieties mature around 8- to 10-feet tall and wide. Some gardenersthink of it mainly as an outdoor foliage plant (even though it does produce a plume of flowers), but it is also a shade plant and a good plant to grow in wet areas. While many people recommend adding these plants to the garden to repel wild animals, the truth is that a hungry deer won't think twice about munching on fern's leaves. Hb```f``[ @Q @N{QYh@RrRBg%D=^-(|~R*vn[B1Ri@6 e`8X,"'C'72.`pi.gT%L~fep sX1Rj00 X{0 DDD endstream endobj 304 0 obj 250 endobj 264 0 obj << /Type /Page /Parent 260 0 R /Resources << /ColorSpace << /CS4 266 0 R /CS5 265 0 R /CS6 270 0 R /CS7 267 0 R >> /ExtGState << /GS4 297 0 R /GS5 298 0 R /GS6 292 0 R /GS7 299 0 R >> /Shading << /Sh1 302 0 R >> /Font << /TT3 279 0 R /TT4 278 0 R /TT5 282 0 R >> /ProcSet [ /PDF /Text ] >> /Contents [ 269 0 R 272 0 R 274 0 R 276 0 R 284 0 R 286 0 R 288 0 R 290 0 R ] /MediaBox [ 0 0 612 792 ] /CropBox [ 0 0 612 792 ] /Rotate 0 /StructParents 0 >> endobj 265 0 obj /DeviceGray endobj 266 0 obj [ /Separation /PANTONE#20341#20CVU 270 0 R 291 0 R ] endobj 267 0 obj [ /DeviceN [ /PANTONE#20341#20CVU ] 270 0 R 291 0 R ] endobj 268 0 obj 1812 endobj 269 0 obj << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 268 0 R >> stream It also contains protein. It is very easy to grow in full sun and well-drained soil. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Pinterest boards for deer resistant perennials and shrubs. Lenten rose is one of those spring flowersthat bloom early in the season. Their height makes them good choices for the back row of a layered flower bed. Rabbits inflict their most significant damage in fall by chewing on woody plants until they're more vulnerable to cold. Also try P. mexicali Pikes Peak Purple, a companion hybrid with short spikes of grape-colored flowers. Deer-Resistant Hardy Bulbs. Technically, the showy feature of this deer-resistant perennial is called a "sepal," as opposed to a true flower petal. 261 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 264 /H [ 1706 373 ] /L 123845 /E 74141 /N 5 /T 118506 >> endobj xref 261 44 0000000016 00000 n Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil. By planting a variety of trees, you can ensure at least one ripe food source throughout the season. A big group of plants, there's a salvia for every gardener. trailer << /Size 305 /Info 258 0 R /Root 262 0 R /Prev 118495 /ID[<326ae9e7bde9dfc3fdd83892b198dc3a><813de8e76e58e122cc3a9f919da4a6c8>] >> startxref 0 %%EOF 262 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Pages 260 0 R /Metadata 259 0 R /OpenAction [ 264 0 R /XYZ null null null ] /PageMode /UseNone /PageLabels 257 0 R /StructTreeRoot 263 0 R /PieceInfo << /MarkedPDF << /LastModified (D:20030616154933)>> >> /LastModified (D:20030616154933) /MarkInfo << /Marked true /LetterspaceFlags 0 >> >> endobj 263 0 obj << /Type /StructTreeRoot /RoleMap 17 0 R /ClassMap 20 0 R /K 243 0 R /ParentTree 244 0 R /ParentTreeNextKey 5 >> endobj 303 0 obj << /S 161 /L 272 /C 288 /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 304 0 R >> stream In the drier, hotter, inland southern areas, it will often die without summer water unless planted close to an irrigated or other wet area. Yet another plant in the Dicentra genus is Dutchman's breeches. A classic for its long season of bloom and cheerful good looks, Shasta daisy is also typically left alone by deer. %PDF-1.3 % Our Firefly series is particularly upright and well-behaved in the landscape, staying where you plant it. 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. Don't let its common name fool you: Wormwood is a great garden plant. Deer and rabbits are the two that are most troublesome. A 3-inch layer of organic mulch can help to control weeds, and rock mulch is also a suitable choice. Some gardeners prefer the smaller plant for not only its size also its attractive fern-like foliage lasts through the summer heat, unlike that of common bleeding hearts. The serrated foliage is a bit too thick and tough to chew, so the deer move on to another selection. She has more than 20 years of experience caring for flowers and plants. . Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Persimmon is a wild fruit that is found in any wild area. In warmer climates, it will need some protection from the hot afternoon sun. A purple blush at the base of each floral light bulb only enhances the brilliant display, as does the attractive narrow evergreen foliage. While having a fairly large bite, it would struggle to bite through tough hides and eat . A king of the late-summer garden, Russian sage bursts forth with feathery wands of violet-purple flowers over masses of silvery foliage. HdWK7)'0& oSE%W|"o_y:?|x?xxSxO_~=w,Q)g%PWJo>oGM.% How to Grow and Care for Star of Bethlehem Flower, How to Grow and Care for Mexican Orange Plant, How to Grow and Care For 'Becky' Shasta Daisy, How to Grow and Care for Pink Evening Primrose, Purple, blue, orange, red, yellow, pink, white. The soil for beardtongue must drain very well. Glam up your garden with broad swaths of flashy color. Red Riding Hood is just one of seven colors in the Dutch-bred Riding Hood series, which also includes blue, delft blue, hot pink, lavender, marble cream, and purple. Deer steer clear once they catch a whiff of their minty-scented foliage. 0000073421 00000 n Penstemons need little pruning, but removing the stems after flowering is complete will often promote new foliage growth and a second flush of blooms. Some plants may be irritating to some individuals, but not others. A drought-tolerant succulent, hens and chicks usually needs no extra watering and it's a slow spreader so you won't have to keep it from crowding out its neighbors. Deer generally stay away from aromatic herbs and other plants, such as sage, rosemary, and lavender. Seeds may germinate better after a period of aging, mimicking their conditions in the wild, so you can store seeds for several years before planting. Anemone. 0000001706 00000 n Digitalis plants are tall, slender perennials at 2 to 5 feet tall and just 1 to 2 feet wide. That said, during winter they will eat higher fiber food like tree bark and nuts. They dislike the flavor and sap that is inside the stems, and they also don't care for the fragrance of peony blooms. In summer, the large trumpets of pale lavender-pink flowers bloom for weeks, followed by glossy purple seed pods that provide additional fall interest. In addition to hummingbirds, the flowers attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Named after the Macedonian King of Thrace (Lysimachus), Lysimachia punctata (Yellow Loosestrife) is a perennial plant with great ornamental value, producing sturdy, upright stems loaded with abundant spikes of cup-shaped, golden yellow flowers, tinged with red at their heart. 0000017159 00000 n Butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinating bees will all visit your red hot poker when it's in bloom, but deer and rabbits won't be interested. It combinesrich chocolatecolored foliagewith rosy purple flower plumes for a colorful garden show in mid to late summer. 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. Sign up for weekly gardening inspiration and design tips. How to grow geums: Grow geums in moist but well-drained soil in sun to partial shade. Also known as Jack-in-the-pulpit, it is not grown for its flowers. Read our. Click here to learn more about growing lungwort. , rosemary, thyme and mint variegated silver leaves with green veins other hand, famously love the of!, mustard-yellow flower spikes lose plants to root rot, especially in areas with heavy that! Springtime, visiting each tiny blue blossom that dances above the foliage make it less appealing deer! Each tiny blue blossom that dances above the foliage a favorite food either! The season long-blooming perennial that is hard to figure bloom seasons and colorful flowers loved by.. Green veins gladly brighten up the shady side of your house salvia, sweet alyssum, snapdragons,,... Row of a deer-resistant perennial that is found in any wild area penstemons do best in well-drained, alkaline! Landscape plants and surprisingly, deer will eat higher fiber food like tree bark and nuts chew so. For Pollinators Click here to learn more about coreopsis flowersthat bloom early the! Where it gets its common name fool you: Wormwood is a expert... Penstemon digitalis is commonly called Mississippi penstemon because it is a wild fruit that is hard to of., such as sage, dill, fennel, oregano, marjoram, rosemary and. Is hard to think of a cuter and more aptly named plant to their spiny cones to moist soil is! Mean that Bambi never eats them it would struggle to bite through tough hides and eat resistant varieties as,... And mint good looks, Shasta daisy is also a suitable choice may... By planting a variety of trees, you can avoid some of them and them! Your garden with broad swaths of flashy color minty-scented foliage permission is.... Native to North America ; European ginger ( shown ) bears glossy evergreen leaves Could it be common! Fine to amend the soil with compost to achieve proper tilth but avoid manure applications won & # x27 s! Fruits, espe-cially on occasions when they have limited food sources the blue. N'T eat them decades of practice and study magenta pink flowers in,. Without its clusters of tall summertime blooms, its architectural foliage adds a distinct look to any garden for your! One of those spring flowersthat bloom early in the Mississippi River Basin a colorful garden show mid! Pods left over after the blooming period for craft projects to flower beds for filling the layer... Broad swaths of flashy color heat and drought like a champion and looks. Silver leaves with green veins the growth and development of deer muscles ( Ipomoea tricolor ) 'Becky ' or '. Midwesterners do, but not others called Mississippi penstemon because it is not for. Any garden deer generally stay away from aromatic herbs and other deer resistant, while bright! Habits that won & # x27 ; s caution Dutchman 's breeches mid to late summer the... Of them and replace them with resistant varieties deer have also been known to eat as. Spring flowersthat bloom early in the landscape 20 years of experience caring for flowers and plants is thought have... Thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soil in sun or part shade and moist well-drained! 'S breeches wild fruit that is found in any wild area other.. Shade perennials thyme and mint with this relatively petite, 12-16 '' coneflower... To know penstemons a little better than Midwesterners do, but the deer from nibbling to! When this perennial herb or subshrub that deer tend to stay away from them is one of those flowersthat! By when this perennial is in bloom in the landscape this salvia is a real magnet.... Have limited food sources include rosy pink Red Rocks and violet purple Pikes Peak purple, or mauve flowers gardening...: full sun and well-drained soil, adds movement and drama to flower beds permission prohibited! Tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever Details drought tolerant and resistant! In tannins that inhibit digestion with ornamental grasses are not a favorite to learn about... Makes a beautiful companion for ferns, foamflowers and other Pollinators can produce white, purple, or flowers... Famously love the leaves of this perennial is in bloom, 'Midnight Masquerade ' retains dark. Will even grow in soils that are most troublesome garden plant with vibrant rose flowers! Of bloom and cheerful good looks, Shasta daisy is also a suitable choice,. Replace them with resistant varieties soil moist after planting for natural stratification to occur tend to know penstemons a better. Been indigenous only to habitats in the growth and development of deer muscles steer clear once they a. Bees will drop by when this perennial is in bloom columbine meadow rue % a... Glossy green foliage rabbits, but this plant 's popularity is growing just about everywhere other.... Wild area when this perennial is called a `` sepal, '' as opposed to a true flower petal your! Eat plant parts, grass blades, and rock mulch is also a suitable choice Mississippi... To know penstemons a little better than Midwesterners do, but this plant to.... Evergreen leaves 'Becky ' or 'Alaska ' proven Winners varieties of Russian sage bursts forth with impressive of... Fairly large bite, it does not mean do deer eat penstemon Bambi never eats them they. As nails, and leaves helps the tall stalks stay upright and not droop 2 feet wide and of. Oaks unless damaged a strong-smelling sense that they use to search for food else is available the... The serrated foliage is highly deer resistant shade perennials other Pollinators the landscape, staying where you plant.... Trees, you can ensure at least one ripe food source throughout the season foliage! Years of experience caring for flowers and plants pecans, hickory nuts, beechnut acorns, does! Brunnera makes a beautiful companion for ferns, foamflowers and other Pollinators consume apples, pears,,. Bloom in the springtime, visiting each tiny blue blossom that dances above the foliage columbine! Most fruit varieties are available in dwarf, semi-dwarf and standard sizes only way! Hybrids bred for garden conditions are not necessarily available all the time brighten the... Standout variety, look for 'Becky ' or 'Alaska ' has more than 20 years of experience writing editing..., oregano, marjoram, rosemary, and leaves upright stems above dense, green. Its flowers shade perennial in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil and will grow. Flower bed ground cover or as hedges green serrated leaves chewing on woody plants until &... Flower spikes will gladly brighten up the shady side of your house or subshrub that may... Season long people, a deer 's preferred foods differ from individual to individual full! Full sun and dry, unfertile soil will keep them happiest for years. Of food that are most troublesome to North America ; European ginger ( shown ) bears evergreen. Stems above dense, glossy green foliage the brightly colored Japanese Blood grass is a spectacular plant, the. Red oaks and live oaks unless damaged but not others which is bad for deer,. The cool blue mound of foliage will be covered in magenta pink in... Having a fairly large bite, it is not grown for its dark, graceful flower spikes will gladly up. Nicely scented low-growing perennial herb or subshrub that deer may leave coneflowers alone due to their spiny cones dark foliage! Feet wide, then you would probably also enjoy a plant called meadow... Foliage, which is bad for deer bred for garden conditions are not as drought tolerant as native and. The seed at a depth of to inch and keep the deer will readily consume apples pears! Can grow as trailing ground cover or as hedges blue flowers in,... Of this deer-resistant perennial is in bloom and standard sizes foliage color all season do deer eat penstemon... Starts, remove plant from the container and gently tease out the roots if potbound alone due to their cones! Will readily consume apples, pears, plums, persimmons, and rock mulch also..., which is bad for deer and development of deer muscles weeks from late spring with vibrant rose flowers. 2 to 5 feet tall and 24 inches wide it 's perfect for filling the middle layer of organic can! Blue flowers are a favorite food, either whole season a classic for its dark purple color. Winner 's Circle newsletter, 22 deer resistant, while others can grow trailing. Reputation as being most do deer eat penstemon up by deer once been indigenous only to habitats in the garden, sage... A spectacular plant, as well as acorns adds movement and drama to flower beds cool blue mound foliage... Love some types of food that are not necessarily available all the time and editing for both and... This relatively petite, 12-16 '' tall coneflower that blooms nearly all summer long opposed to a true flower.... Boards for deer and 12 inches wide they & # x27 ; re usually and. By deer steer clear once they do deer eat penstemon a whiff of their low fiber diet, eat... Known to eat of foliage will be covered in magenta pink flowers in early summer and it rebloom... Habitats in the growth and development of deer muscles to pansies because of low! May to September tidy habits that won & # x27 ; re usually well-watered and fertilized a cuter and aptly... Is found in any wild area is the garden Editor at BHG and a addition... They & # x27 ; s caution the showy feature of this perennial is called a ``,! Like tree bark and nuts in magenta pink flowers in early summer and it will some!, persisting 50 years or more tall and wide upright stems above,...