John A. Lipe (deceased)
Former Professor and Extension Horticulturist
The Texas A&M University System
Deer are a major menace to Hill Country landscapes. Rural landscapes
have the biggest problems, but urban landscapes often are attacked as well.
Landscape protection options are limited to fencing or other physical barriers,
chemical repellents and resistant plants. Fencing is expensive and unsightly
for most landscape situations. It is most practical as cage protection
for small trees until the trees grow taller than the deer can reach.
Deer-resistant plants are the ideal solution; but, unfortunately, few plants
are fully deer proof. Many species that are unattractive to deer when other
browse is plentiful become deer candy when food is in short supply. The
combination of heat and summer droughts almost invariably make late summer
and fall a particularly trying time for deer-plagued areas.
Homeowners that feed deer often make the problem worse for themselves and
their neighbors. Feeding of deer tends to attract more deer than can be
fed and this coupled with a reduced fear of man usually adds to landscape
damage.
Variability in browsing pressure plus variable taste preferences by individual
deer makes it impossible to compile a fool-proof list of resistant plants
-- unless the list is made very short. With this disclaimer in place, the
following list of resistant plants was compiled.
Most of the plants listed are from my own observations, as well as suggestions
by Fredericksburg nurseryman-landscapers John Dodds, Ken Schindler and Chester
Langerhans. Numerous other individuals have also provided input.
Large Trees
None have been observed to be resistant enough to leave unprotected. Fortunately,
trees can be caged until they grow taller than the deer when small. The
best approach is to make a cage around each tree until it grows beyond the
deer's reach.
Small Trees or Large Shrubs
Shrubs
Perennial Succulents and Lilies
Vines
Ground Covers
Flowers, Ferns, Herbs
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