I had to correct the video file and in the process lost two great comments. Here they are: Jan Kessell My first thought when I saw your new beds (and remembering your garden layout) was, They sure have an abundant rock supply. But to hear that they all came from that excavation! Wow! We have used arborist’s wood chips (ideal because they have leaves chipped in with the wood and bark) in our landscaping. They are great for building soil, but we’ve also found that the moles find the softer soil under the chips to be ideal for tunneling. Walking on our wood chipped areas is almost like walking on a mattress. I’m amazed at how well your deer resistant plants held up. I love hostas, and so do the deer. We have a lot of shade, but I’m going to use some of your suggestions in my sunny areas. I look forward to seeing a follow up video of this area next year. It’s lovely. ----------------- Robin95 Beautiful 👍
I changed a lawn area in flowerbed and planted first evergreen shrubs and rhododendrons. That gives winter interest and deer won’t touch it. In the spring I’ll add perennials and grasses.
You have done a great job with the deer resistant garden. I'm going to try the lavender purchased in small pots this year. My suggestion for your birdbath would be to add a solar water fountain and your view out the window would be even better.
You can also try old style roses with thorns, like damask roses. Also thorny raspberries. Anything with thorns should discourage deer. You can plant garlic, onions, chives, and resistant herbs in among your flowers. I've also had luck with Black Hills spruce trees, peonies, day lilies, and hydrangeas, which the deer seem to leave alone. Local nurseries in serious deer areas usually stock resistant varieties. Apart from eating your plants there is also a problem with bucks scraping their antlers on your trees and ripping up the bark. I have all my young trees wrapped with chicken wire up to four to five feet. The wire can be easily adjusted as the tree grows.
Thanks for the tips! One thing I've learned from comments is that different deer like different things - no amount of thorns will keep our deer from the roses - they'll just eat all the flowers, lol. And most of the "flowers" in this garden are herbs or herb-like with a smell. I've also got peonies planted but hydrangeas are like catnip to deer here - they LOVE them (sadly, because I love them too!). We do keep our young trees wired - I haven't noticed anything on our bigger trees - I'll keep a lookout for that!
Arrgh! From all I've heard from people, the deer in specific areas seem to eat different things, so sadly the "deer resistant" lists have to still be trial and error! Our deer eat rhododendrons, which are native and grow wild in the forests and are never bothered at my mom's house that have deer walking through all hours of the day. 😳
Crepe Myrtle: Just FYI - ANY "deer resistant" perennial - it takes approx. 3 seasons for whatever is in the plant that deer don't like to reach the leaves. So, in 3 seasons, you can uncover it. Your Crepe Myrtle is probably too young yet. Nice job. Here in NJ I've tried the salvia and black-eyed susans - Ugh - they ate them!
Oh - thanks for this, I'll be counting the years, lol. Yes, different deer eat different things, for sure, even just in different parts of our county! The only thing to do is to plant and test (or use deer deterrents like sprinklers, etc.).
Looks great, those are some big rocks. The last deer that ordered off the menu in the garden had an accident, it tripped and fell... into the freezer. yum yum.
Beautiful. You worked hard and it was definitely worth it. Thanks for sharing your list. We are having a terrible time with deer eating everything I put out including some of my vegetable garden. I will be playing defense this year.
I’m a veteran landscaper and Horticulturist! It looks awesome! Well done!
Wow, thank you! It's still a work in progress as our deer show us the "deer resistant" things they will eat, lol.
I had to correct the video file and in the process lost two great comments. Here they are:
Jan Kessell
My first thought when I saw your new beds (and remembering your garden layout) was, They sure have an abundant rock supply. But to hear that they all came from that excavation! Wow! We have used arborist’s wood chips (ideal because they have leaves chipped in with the wood and bark) in our landscaping. They are great for building soil, but we’ve also found that the moles find the softer soil under the chips to be ideal for tunneling. Walking on our wood chipped areas is almost like walking on a mattress. I’m amazed at how well your deer resistant plants held up. I love hostas, and so do the deer. We have a lot of shade, but I’m going to use some of your suggestions in my sunny areas. I look forward to seeing a follow up video of this area next year. It’s lovely.
-----------------
Robin95
Beautiful 👍
I changed a lawn area in flowerbed and planted first evergreen shrubs and rhododendrons. That gives winter interest and deer won’t touch it. In the spring I’ll add perennials and grasses.
So smart! Though our deer eat all the new growth on the rhodies 😂
You have done a great job with the deer resistant garden. I'm going to try the lavender purchased in small pots this year. My suggestion for your birdbath would be to add a solar water fountain and your view out the window would be even better.
Thank you so much! I have thought about adding a solor fountain, too.
You can also try old style roses with thorns, like damask roses. Also thorny raspberries. Anything with thorns should discourage deer. You can plant garlic, onions, chives, and resistant herbs in among your flowers. I've also had luck with Black Hills spruce trees, peonies, day lilies, and hydrangeas, which the deer seem to leave alone. Local nurseries in serious deer areas usually stock resistant varieties. Apart from eating your plants there is also a problem with bucks scraping their antlers on your trees and ripping up the bark. I have all my young trees wrapped with chicken wire up to four to five feet. The wire can be easily adjusted as the tree grows.
Thanks for the tips! One thing I've learned from comments is that different deer like different things - no amount of thorns will keep our deer from the roses - they'll just eat all the flowers, lol. And most of the "flowers" in this garden are herbs or herb-like with a smell. I've also got peonies planted but hydrangeas are like catnip to deer here - they LOVE them (sadly, because I love them too!). We do keep our young trees wired - I haven't noticed anything on our bigger trees - I'll keep a lookout for that!
Beautiful
Thank you!
My deer love zinnias, was growing them from seed and went out one morning, and all the flowers were sheered right off.
Arrgh! From all I've heard from people, the deer in specific areas seem to eat different things, so sadly the "deer resistant" lists have to still be trial and error! Our deer eat rhododendrons, which are native and grow wild in the forests and are never bothered at my mom's house that have deer walking through all hours of the day. 😳
Your deer resistant garden is absolutely beautiful! I’m wondering what are those pretty white flowers?
Those are mounds of alyssum!
Crepe Myrtle: Just FYI - ANY "deer resistant" perennial - it takes approx. 3 seasons for whatever is in the plant that deer don't like to reach the leaves. So, in 3 seasons, you can uncover it. Your Crepe Myrtle is probably too young yet. Nice job. Here in NJ I've tried the salvia and black-eyed susans - Ugh - they ate them!
Oh - thanks for this, I'll be counting the years, lol. Yes, different deer eat different things, for sure, even just in different parts of our county! The only thing to do is to plant and test (or use deer deterrents like sprinklers, etc.).
Looks great, those are some big rocks. The last deer that ordered off the menu in the garden had an accident, it tripped and fell... into the freezer. yum yum.
😂
Beautiful. You worked hard and it was definitely worth it. Thanks for sharing your list. We are having a terrible time with deer eating everything I put out including some of my vegetable garden. I will be playing defense this year.
It's a constant frustration, that's for sure, and to just keep trying all.the.things! I'm glad this was helpful.
Thank you
You're welcome!
What are the pink flowers?
Zinnias!