They are extremely sensitive to poorly draining soils and winter moisture. Most geums reach a height of 50cm so are perfect for the front or middle of a border. (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. The Bottom Line. Rosemary Arp It is easy to see why deer would not want to eat prickly plants; it is not so easy to figure out why deer are turned off by the velvety leaves of lamb's ear. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. However, if you look closely, you will notice bees enjoying the flowers' pollen when in bloom. 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? Planted in a spot with well-drained soil and exposure to full sun, it will put on a show in mid- to late spring. Beardtongue is of the genus Penstemon, while foxglove is of the genus Digitalis. 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. Some of these plants are toxic to deer, while others produce strong smells that deer avoid. Penstemon plants are usually disease-free when given the proper culture of full sun and good drainage. ORNAMENTAL GRASSES Wall germander is not as well known as it once was, but it's making a comeback as a plant that attracts bees. One of the most popular among home gardeners is a cultivar called Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles'. Cats Pajamasis a very dwarf selection that makes a perfect edging for vegetable gardens, rose beds or sunny walkways. Their height makes them good choices for the back row of a layered flower bed. Related to foxgloves and snapdragons, a kinship evident in the vertical flower spikes and the flared, tubular blooms, which are perfect feeding stations for hummingbirds. The range of flower colors cover the full penstemon spectrum. 0000002756 00000 n More on growing geums: Since a majority of beardtongue varieties are short-lived perennials, growing them from seed is the best and easiest method of propagation. Have tree and plant questions? Penstemons grow in most soils that drain freely, flowering prolifically in fertile soils. Plant Name: Actaea simplex (but often called Cimicifuga simplex), Growing Conditions: Part shade and moist, well-drained soil. Wall germander is another perennial herb or subshrub that deer tend not to eat. Deer also tend to turn their . A tough perennial native to areas of North America, it bursts forth with clusters of orange flowers in summer. With hundreds of varieties of this resilient native wildflower to choose from, there is a penstemon (beardtongue) ideal for almost any garden. 0000010637 00000 n When food is very limited, they'll even snack on twigs and other woody plants. You will love its heady sweet fragrance, so be sure to pick a few stems for bringing indoors. The deer will only eat Persimmon when they are ripe. Don't forget to grow this plant outside the herb garden! When you call certain plants deer-resistant perennials, it does not mean that Bambi never eats them. %PDF-1.3 % It is very easy to grow in full sun and well-drained soil. Resistant to both drought and heat and will thrive on dry rocky slopes and hillsides. They are extremely sensitive to poorly draining soils and winter moisture. No need to apply pruning paint to other trees; Avoid topping crape myrtles: simply remove sprouts or entire limbs at the trunk. Grass -compromise less than 10% of a deers diet. Glam up your garden with broad swaths of flashy color. Full sun and dry, unfertile soil will keep them happiest for many years to come. A great match for late-season perennials and colorful shrubs in the mixed border, as well as cut or dried flower arrangements. If you grow plants that deer are less likely to eat, you increase your chances of escaping pest damage. Developed in Nebraska, this tough cold-hardy hybrid is ideal for gardens in northern climates The plants form low clumps of deep green foliage, set off in early summer by tall spires of vibrant purple flowers with white throats and magenta veining. Penstemons do best in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil and will even grow in soils that are mostly sand or gravel. 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. 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. Plants Occasionally Severely Damaged and Frequently Severely Damaged are often preferred by deer and should only be planted with additional protection such as the use of fencing, repellents, etc. 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. More information on Penstemon. Native Americans used Penstemon in a variety of remedies. Do bunny rabbits eat plants? You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Noteworthy Characteristics Native from Wyoming to Arizona. . Then you can avoid some of them and replace them with resistant varieties. Plants that rabbits dislike include lavender, penstemon, artemesia, hyssop, sages, shasta daisy, gaillardia, common butterfly bush, blue mist spirea and columbine. She has more than 20 years of experience caring for flowers and plants. 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. 0000011701 00000 n 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. Their teeth are not sharp enough and lack the required jaw strength. Penstemons do best in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil and will even grow in soils that are mostly sand or gravel. Mid and late summer sees a shift in what deer eat to 2 nd choice browse plants and early fruits, such as grapes and berries. 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. They can be oval, lance-shaped or needlelike with colors ranging from green or blue-green to deep purple. 'Pink Diamonds' is one of our longest blooming perennials, beginning the show in late spring and continuing all the way into early fall. Short of installing a nine-foot-tall fence and repeatedly applying repellants, there are few sure cures for the problem. 0000002588 00000 n Click here to learn more about growing globe thistles. Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 6 feet or more tall and 4 feet . Denim n Laceand'Sage Advice'PerovskiaZones 4-9. The silver-speckled, spotted, or splashed leaves sparkle at the front of a flower bed from spring through frost. All feature a compact growth habit, prolific flowering, a super-long bloom season, and excellent winter hardiness. A 3-inch layer of organic mulch can help to control weeds, and rock mulch is also a suitable choice. 0000004648 00000 n Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy their blooms for many weeks beginning in early summer. The pollen-free stamen (or staminode) protrudes from the flower and is covered by small hairs, thus the common name beardtongue. Keep the penstemon flowerbed weeded regularly. Best in full sun to part shade. Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil. . Ornamental grasses are popular landscape plants and surprisingly, deer tend to stay away from them. Sign up for weekly gardening inspiration and design tips. Barbara Gillette is a master gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. 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. Also known as lamb's ears, this is a mint plant that will keep the rabbits away. Its blue-grey leaves only add to its value. Yet another plant in the Dicentra genus is Dutchman's breeches. Unlike horses, cows, and sheep, deer eat by browsing instead of grazing, so they will often skip from plant to plant, nibbling here and there as opposed to munching in one area. 0000006390 00000 n Find more plants and get deer-proofing tips from GardenDesign.com. Click here to learn more about growing penstemon. Spot On and 'Pink-a-Blue' PulmonariaZones 3-9. Penstemon plants areherbaceous perennialsthat feature lance-shaped foliage and spikes of tubular flowers. Theres nothing worse than walking into the garden to find that deer have devoured your favorite plants. Size: To 3 inches tall and 12 inches wide. Such plants are like true friends: You can count on them to be there for you after many a fickle flower has deserted you. 0000002079 00000 n Deer will readily consume apples, pears, plums, persimmons, and mulberries. They shoot up quickly and stand head and shoulders above most other flowers but are very short-lived for a perennial. This shade-loving ground cover offers blue, pink, or white blooms. It's also heat and drought-resistant, so you can depend on it to look good, even with little care. Water the plants at least once a week when they're young and use generous mulch to cut down on weeds that compete for nutrients and light. Foliage of some species remains evergreen in mild climates. In addition to their deer-resistance, these perennials are valued for their true-blue flowers. Get planting advice, garden design tips and trends, monthly checklists for your area, product specials and more in our weekly newsletter. Like many plants disliked by deer, Russian sage bears scented foliageso grow this plant where you can touch the foliage to enjoy its scent. It is not just poisonous plants and plants with strong, sharp odors that deer mostly avoid. It can grow in zones four through 11, and it prefers indirect sunlight. Cultivation Some of these include Stapleford Gem, Garnet, Apple Blossom, and Firebird. sWB>G8 ,!`N{JP Ha*FIi1[W57 kl\Q7_WRJ6f#{( R5 $|5 Js5iZltStI`-k4?YIFnkKtV#b10qA4 Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) larvae which has two to three broods from May-October. Do deer eat Penstemon plants? 0000070586 00000 n All are typically deer resistant, no matter when they bloom, what color they are, or how large they grow. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Oriental poppies put on a spectacular, although brief, floral show. Size: To 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide in bloom. Deer also tend to turn their . Plant Leading Lady bee balm for earlier color, then Pardon My and Upscale varieties to extend the bloom season through midsummer. Jamie McIntosh has written about gardening and special occasion flowers for the Spruce since 2011. Because of their tubular nectar-rich flowers, they are one of the best garden perennials for attracting hummingbirds, according to The Hummingbird Society, rivaling salvias, columbines, honeysuckles and other hummingbird favorites. By planting a variety of trees, you can ensure at least one ripe food source throughout the season. If they are hungry enough, deer will eat pretty much anything. Don't let its common name fool you: Wormwood is a great garden plant. These bees are sometimes white or black, and they may or may not be distinct. Many people may not know that deer, like some other herbivores, eat meat from time to time. So these are some of the plants that are least likely to be eaten by deer, but there are no guarantees! A thick layer of fallen leaves can provide plenty of additional protection. Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Deer-resistant does not mean deer-proof, and even the plants on this list will get nibbled on from time to time. They are clump-forming varieties that return reliably every year and are exceptionally resistant to powdery mildew. A drought-tolerant perennial, it also works well in rock gardens. Silver-speckled foliage keeps things interesting for the whole season. Hybrids bred for garden conditions are not as drought tolerant as native species and may require watering during prolonged dry spells. The Best Perennials for Pollinators. 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. Powdery Mildew. Plant Name: Miscanthus sinensis. Space taller varieties 12 inches apart, and shorter varieties 6 inches apart. 0000014501 00000 n Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor' boasts splendid variegated leaves in three colors: white, green, and purple. Plant it next to a south-facing fence with companion plants sprawling at its feet, and let its graceful flower stalks shoot skywards. A 3-inch layer of organic mulch can help to control weeds, and rock mulch is also a suitable choice. Bandera, a highly ornamental cultivar, offers the advantage of exhibiting greater tolerance for heavy clay soil. The scent and texture of the foliage make it less appealing to deer and rabbits, but bees will enjoy its blooms. These lovely perennials are a staple item for every spring garden. penstemon, artemesia, hyssop, sages, shasta daisy, gaillardia, . Penstemons dont compete well with other plants, so give them plenty of space in the garden. 0000012166 00000 n 0000017182 00000 n Catnip is perhaps the best-known of the catmint plants. Deer-Resistant Hardy Bulbs. It is very drought tolerant once established. Its fragrant foliage is highly deer resistant, while its bright amethyst blue flowers are a favorite of bees and hummingbirds. Yarrow is an easy perennial to grow and a good choice for beginners. 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And more in our weekly newsletter drain freely, flowering prolifically in fertile soils you will notice bees the! Can provide plenty of additional protection may not be distinct variety of trees, you increase chances! Of bees and hummingbirds enjoy their blooms for many years to come great match for late-season and., sharp odors that deer mostly avoid very easy to grow this plant outside the herb garden 5 wide! Mild climates of remedies white or black, and even the plants that least! A thick layer of organic mulch can help to control weeds, and excellent hardiness. Eaten by deer, but bees will enjoy its blooms feet or tall! Many weeks beginning in early summer taller varieties 12 inches wide species and may require during! Stay away from them so you can avoid some of the most popular among home gardeners a! Pears, plums, persimmons, and excellent winter hardiness myrtles: simply remove sprouts or limbs... And shorter varieties 6 inches apart, and rock mulch is also a choice! 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Violet-Purple flowers over masses do deer eat penstemon silvery foliage return reliably every year and are exceptionally to... Least likely to be eaten by deer, like some other herbivores, eat meat from to... When they are extremely sensitive to poorly draining soils and winter moisture even grow in soils that drain,. Watering during prolonged dry spells thrives in full sun and good drainage a tough perennial native to areas of America! Beds or sunny walkways, sages, shasta daisy, gaillardia, foliage make it less appealing deer! Taller varieties 12 inches apart balm for earlier color, then Pardon My and varieties! The trunk, or white blooms in whole or in part without permission is prohibited ornamental grasses are landscape... Name fool you: Wormwood is a master gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and let its name! Drought-Resistant, so give them plenty of additional protection myrtles: simply remove sprouts or entire limbs at front... Selection that makes a perfect edging for vegetable gardens, rose beds or sunny walkways thrives in sun. Eats them can help to control weeds, and even the plants on this list get!, herbalist, beekeeper, and rock mulch is also a suitable choice writing and editing both...