Hey, that is a great tip – I hope you don’t mind if I incorporate it into our advice – deer are a perpetual problem in some areas, for sure. Appreciate any help. Here in Wyoming, USA, and in many other US states, the deer population is rising due to many factors, some include; decreasing numbers of natural predators, and more restrictions on deer hunting, thus leaving more deer around looking for something to eat in the winter time! Fall planting season is just around the corner, so we’ve decided to provide a comprehensive guide for deer-resistant species. Top Deer-Resistant Flowering Trees Crape-Myrtle (Lagerstroemia) – With so many varieties is many colors, these are prime choices if deer are your problem. For fifteen years my orchard has been heavily visited by deer all year and almost every day/night. 06 of 10. They do have a pretty large leaf though also. Check out our list of the top deer-resistant trees for your growing zone now on Gardener's Path. Fragrant clusters of flat topped creamy-white flowers attract butterflies in spring. There is another shrub they won’t touch I call it the fire bush because of its colors with little white flowers. The deer in our area have tasted everything we have planted. Deer are most likely to invade areas inhabited by humans when their normal food supplies are diminished. Plants that typically attract deer include red clover, chicory, and orchard grass. Voles are close relatives of mice, and they are also known for their characteristic tunnels under the lawn, where they eat grass roots. The following trees and shrubs are landscape favorites and don't appeal to deer: Ash, Barberry, Boxwood, Butterfly Bush (Buddleia), Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), Cotoneaster, Dogwood, Forsythia, Grape Holly (Mahonia), Hawthorn, Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina), Holly, Japanese Kerria, Japanese Maple, Juniper, Lilac. Livings. Loved your advice. Deer should be discouraged immediately when they first appear. ... Also, the swamp is not your typical cattail and dogwood type swamp, it’s mostly medium height grasses with a few willow clumps scattered throughout – so you can see deer … We’ve seen them chew on a Spruce tree, a Holly bush, even Lilacs that they are supposedly not supposed to ever touch! Click to see full answer. Thuja Green Giant – Because it has genes from the Redcedar, this plant, the best hedging plant you can grow, is also resistant to deer. Bottom line is if you REALLY want to prevent deer from nibbling — get a dog, get a gun and install 10′ fencing around your entire property. Cotinus (not red-leaved forms). Agreed, NOTHING is deer proof. Since we are surrounded by woods and the deer use our property as a cut-through, we’ve pretty much given up on planting anything new and what we do have, we fence in so they can’t get to it. What deer love to eat isn't necessarily what they do get to eat all the time. Keeping animals out of the garden is much easier when you landscape your yard with deer resistant plants. Forest foods deer eat The white-tailed deer is our most popular game animal, enjoyed by 700,000 Michigan hunters and countless others interested in photographing or simply viewing these animals. But add some new destruction for new home building that wipes out the food sources or even just disrupts the normal grazing paths, and they will fearful of starvation- take in extra foods wherever they find it. I live in zone 5. The confusion arises because there being several species of Thuja, and they show different resistance. How do you clean a Vicks ultra quiet cool mist humidifier? Deer tend not to like foliage that is sticky, hairy, feathery, or omits an order that deer do not like. Why did McDonald's discontinue the steak egg and cheese bagel? Very few trees or other plants can be called deer-proof or deer-resistant. So far they have been deer-proof. 5) Both perennial geraniums and Pelargoniums (annual geraniums) are extremely pest resistant. Some gardeners use the trees to provide food for deer so they stay away from other areas of their garden. Dogwoods surround the orchard. On the other hand, they figured out they could handle steps, wander onto my front porch and eat all the house plants enjoying summer outside. are desirable for their bright spring blooms, colorful fall foliage and ease of care. My dogwoods, fringe tree, hostas, holly (blue / Mesevereae — the male only), and virtually every other plant labeled deer resistant have been eaten by my resident herd of hooved rats. I think it is clear that no-one can make absolute statements about the dining habits of deer! Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) 07 of 10. Winter Deer Foods. Like Pampas grass, they don’t like my marigolds, or my lavender or Holy trees. All in all, there are lots of plants to choose from that deer will normally leave alone. I have deer issues wanting to eat leaves off my Dog Wood Trees causing growth problems..The man who mows my grass hates to mows around the shrubs in my yard causing growth issues as well. New to this great site! Love ‘em or not, deer are going to be around for as long as we’ve got gardens. Since this is one of the parents of the popular Green Giant Cedar, that plants resistance to deer is well-documented. There are very few flowering trees that deer don’t enjoy, so we’re offering a list of seven of the best. Kousa dogwoods are considered small to medium sized trees. Hang in there. Preferred or Best Liked Hi Bucky Wildlife biologists classify browse plants into three categories: 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd choice. "Green Giant" attains up to 50 feet in height, with very little spread in width. If they are hungry, deer will eat just about everything. Deer Resistant Evergreens for Privacy Screens. As the trees mature, it’s not uncommon to see deer up on their hind legs yanking down tasty leaves. Top Deer-Resistant Flowering Trees Crape-Myrtle (Lagerstroemia) – With so many varieties is many colors, these are prime choices if deer are your problem. Deer will eat most anything, when hungry and food supply is diminished in the forest…….lumber operations in the NE have removed many cone bearing trees. Some hostas are marketed as containing a degree of deer resistance, but as with all deer resistant plants, when these critters are hungry enough, they'll eat anything. Here are some ideas for beautiful flowering trees that deer and mice will leave alone. Certain high-protein crops, such as peas, soybeans, turnips, alfalfa, sorghum, kale, or corn, are also attractants that the animals enjoy feeding on. Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) special note Only member of the dogwood family that may form a small tree with horizontal branches and a tiered, umbrella-like canopy. gray dogwood Cornus racemosa height Up to 8 ft. The stems and leaves of the silky dogwood tree (Cornus amomum) remain a favorite food for deer, especially in the winter. Of course, we can hardly blame the animals, who only want to survive, but when we see plants chewed to the ground, stripped off lower foliage, or with no bark left, it is hard not to seek revenge. Mention planting for deer, and most hunters automatically assume you are talking about food plots. Coffee is a safe and environmentally friendly way to repel unwanted animals and pests from your garden. Any yearling will try something once to see if it makes them sick. Sorry, no Japanese maples are deer resistant. It can be frustrating to landscape in an area where deer are present, as they will eat many trees and shrubs -- sometimes killing them. Deer do like dogwoods so if you have deer in the area, that is probably what is happening. We’ve even tried deer fencing and they managed to bend the gardening stakes that I have the 7’ fence up with. Deer adore fruits and nuts. I have a city green space behind my new house that is a nursery and day care for the resident does. Bark damage will usually kill a tree, especially if it is all the way round the trunk. Deer often target impatiens (Impatiens spp. © AskingLot.com LTD 2021 All Rights Reserved. Daffodils, foxgloves, and poppies are common flowers that have a toxicity that deer avoid. We live in Woodstock NY. ‘ and not ‘deer proof’! Andromeda (Pieris japonica) Bluebeard (Caryopteris) Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images. Landscape shrubs are not the preferred food for white-tailed deer, but deer will still eat them in a pinch. A couple of favorite fruits are apples, blueberries, blackberries and persimmons. Hahaha. adroll_language = "en_US". As a hunter trying to optimize the chance of success or a landowner wishing to improve land for deer, you should be observant of deer activity and learn to identify the foods on which deer … Deer don’t like to walk on the sharp rock plus it is a great mulch for my plants, decorative (interspersed with lava rock) and offers some fire protection too. Crape-Myrtle (Lagerstroemia) – With so many varieties is many colors, these are prime choices if, These include the "Green Giant", trademarked Spring Grove and "Zebrina" varieties of the western or giant. Cistus. Spartan Juniper (Juniperus chinensis) – As well as making wonderful clipped specimens, this tough juniper grows into a beautiful drought-resistant hedge that animals leave alone. As most gardeners know, deer eat almost anything. Instead of investing in an expensive fence, or spraying repellents all winter, choose the right plants and you can sit back and know that your garden will be safe until spring arrives. They love pecans, hickory nuts and beechnuts acorns in addition to acorns. Let it ferment for a few days, strain it through some old window screen and apply it to the trees and shrubs with a garden sprayer. Code: spring10. In a very foragable area when things are plentiful, the deer won’t think about your dogwood. As the semi-dwarf apple trees grow higher I prune off all lower branches. The availability of food in the area is a direct impact on what they will eat as well. . Others use the tree to welcome deer to their wildlife-friendly yards. Kousa dogwood trees take 5-7 years before they produce flowers and fruit. adroll_current_page = "other"; Flowering Dogwood (Cornus) – Smothered in white or pink blooms, all the many kinds of these beautiful trees will generally be left alone, as also will the fruits. White Cedar, Thuja occidentalis, found in Eastern states, is often eaten by deer, but Western Redcedar, Thuja plicata, is normally left alone. A landowner showed me where numerous Alternate Leaved Dogwood trees have been chewed, basically killing the trees. We’re also new to this. I spray in early spring as buds are starting to swell (or plants pushing out of ground), a 2nd spray maybe 2-3 weeks later, another spray in 10+ days for NON-resistant plants (think tulips), and finally, an end-of summer / early fall spray. We have several dogwoods in our yard and honestly get whole herds of deer. Rather than trying to keep out the wildlife, a better approach is to modify what you plant. For deer, hosta plants are like candy. If hungry enough, deer will eat just about any plant. Fast Growing Screen Trees for Deer Hunting Land. Deer like the nutritious nuts that come from chestnuts and acorns as well. The deer get a few branches and we get the rest the deer cannot reach on their hind legs. Really enjoy the thread of conversation. Click here for a list of deer resistant trees. Cold and ice is one thing, but when animal damage is spotted, it can be particularly demoralizing. As far as herbs go, most that are fragrant or fuzzy-leaved are very deer resistant, except for basil and valerian. Otherwise accept that we’re all just trying to make a living. We have been in Maine for 10 years. There is no such thing as deer proof (other than maybe cactus) and fawns will taste everything but the pot or the deck boards once. Your fences need to be 10 feet high, and get dogs that chase them off. Since the bark of apples is a favorite of mice as well, finding a substitute for them is a good idea. Don't Miss: 8 Off-Season Land Management Tips for Deer Hunters Editor's Note: This was originally published December 17, 2008. When it rains hard you really need to spray once more. NOTHING is deer proof. Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) – Not only wonderful with its dramatic steely blue needles, these trees are left alone. No wonder, with their spiny leaves. They didn’t claim “deer proof”. Are you in a similar area? Yes gardening with deer is best done with tall fencing. For shady areas Hemlock (Tsuga) makes a beautiful hedge that will be left alone by deer. The best way to prevent damage is to avoid offering up trees and plants they find palatable, and to fill the landscape with resistant flora. They said they were deer resistant. Clematis. 03 of 10. Use plants and shrubs as taste-based repellents. adroll_adv_id = "RK545AVNKVEJFFRYPAE7DC"; Natural Browse Plot Deer Movements. They mature to about 30 feet tall x 30 feet wide (their width and height are roughly equal at maturity) once they reach 20-30 years old. so, your claims that they are deer proof and will be left alone are false. Deer adore fruits and nuts. Reapply once a month starting in November until late spring. What do deer eat regionally? What must students use when summarizing an informational text? Sometimes nibbling the plant clear down to the ground. All rights reserved The Tree Center 2021. thetreecenter.com You can try scare tactics (hanging strips of alumnum foil or shiny CD's from the branches, or liquid repellants (Ropel or Deer Away), or you drape your dogwood with bird netting to act as a barrier until the deer get the message that they can't eat the foliage. This listing is based on thousands of observations in deer wintering areas over many years from all parts of New York State. My cherry trees and plum trees have not been damaged. In each geographic area, there are browse plant species representing these three classifications, and knowing the 1 st choice plants will allow you locate prime deer feeding areas. longpointer. As mentioned earlier, deer will eat most anything, or at least try it out to see if it is to their liking, if they are hungry. The only thing the deer do not bother is ornamental grass at any stage of growth. Thuja plicata 'Virescens', Skip Laurel. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) 08 of 10. I work in the green industry and must tell you over the years what I’ve learned…No plant is REALLY deer proof- just as some humans are known to eat cardboard and laundry detergent, and children put all kinds of things in their mouths, so are the lives of deer. Keep deer-attracting plants closer to your home. Hours of effort have gone into compiling this list and supplying well-marked deer resistant plants for home landscaping. Thuja standish x plicata 'Green Giant', Virescens Arborvitae. If you're interested in learning more about creating the ultimate deer hunting property, you'll love my Whitetails By Design Book Series!. They love pecans, hickory nuts and beechnuts acorns in addition to acorns. The following is a list of landscape plants rated according to their resistance to deer damage. What parts of the eye are similar to a camera? Ok ginkos are very slow growing and gawky when young but do turn into a beautiful tree. Carol- AJ Gall 05/25/2017. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus) – Smothered in white or pink blooms, all the many kinds of these beautiful trees will generally be left alone, as also will the fruits. You may also spot deer hoof prints in soil—they look like an upside down heart. All that was left was the nursery tag that stated “deer resistant”. They love to eat the new growth and ripe fruit from my apple trees. During a cold winter or at other times when natural food sources are low, your landscape can be devastated by deer feeding on shrubs and small trees. Few trees (especially young ones) will keep a desperate deer away. Thank you, Herbs such as sages, ornamental salvias, and lavender, as well as flowers like peonies and bearded irises, are just “stinky” to deer. . Sometimes the damage is merely cosmetic, and the plant can recover. So if you are a stickler for linguistic detail, instead of calling these trees "deer resistant," think of these trees as those that are not a deer's first picks to eat if given a choice. When replacing damaged plants, the line of least resistance suggests that the obvious solution is to choose plants that will be ignored next winter. There are two easy ways to protect new trees from deer. Trees that are native to an area may not be preferred or be ignored by deer because the deer did not develop a taste for that specific tree. Magnolia – Both the deciduous and evergreen types of magnolia, with their spectacular flowers, are left alone by deer to bloom in gorgeous white or pinks. When winter approaches and food sources become less available, feeding on leaves, stems, and buds of woody plants becomes more apparent. Deer eat not only hostas and many other perennials in summer but the winter foliage of many evergreen trees and shrubs, like arborvitae and yews. are appealing to deer, which have been known to munch on daylily blooms and even eat the leaf shoots all the way to the ground. Although there are many deer-resistant flowering shrubs, azaleas are not one of them. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus) – Smothered in white or pink blooms, all the many kinds of these beautiful trees will generally be left alone, as also will the fruits. https://www.thetreecenter.com/deer-resistant-trees-and-shrubs Making hydrangeas that bloom on old wood especially susceptible to deer damage, as it could ruin the following year's blooms. I shockingly saw it with my own eyes! There may be lots of plants loved by your wild neighbors, but there are plenty more that they avoid. foot prints in the garden prove it was the deer. Spray them with a motion-activated sprinkler. Except that this article does have a list of “deer-proof” trees which includes flowering dogwood. Squirrels, opossum, quail and wild turkeys all eat parts of the magnolia tree, as do deer, which munch on the tree's twigs, leaves and buds. Other shrubs that are normally ignored include the following garden-worthy plants. But planting trees and shrubs can also be an excellent way to improve the hunting on your property, whether you own, lease, or hunt by permission. Any bush or tree is beneficial when they need to rub the velvet off their antlers. I just planted two 7 ft flowering dogwoods, with beautiful white flowers yesterday, and this morning woke to find the deer ate the bottom 10 flowering stems off of one of the trees. I just can’t thing of it’s proper name at the moment. They eat the bark of young trees, as well as any twigs, buds, acorns and berries they can reach. I’m sorry your trees were foraged. Deer are creatures of habit. Unfortunately, the shrubs are as desirable to deer as they are to humans. Deer also tend to develop regional tastes. Sorry about your trees, you must be in BC to be growing flowering dogwood in Canada, I am thinking. A 70-30 split favoring the upper primates! Smoke Tree (Cotinus) – This is another beautiful tree, usually grown in the form with dramatic purple leaves is left alone by these pesky critters. Large animals like deer can cause extensive damage to plants, including hedges and windbreaks. Our deer recently had a banquet on me of “deer resistant ” plants. A couple of favorite fruits are apples, blueberries, blackberries and persimmons. Spread Coffee Grounds Around Your Garden. Male deer also cause damage by rutting or rubbing their antlers along the stems or trunks of trees and stripping off bark. Repellents and barriers are both useful in many instances but the combination of the two is best, as deer are wily and can get over all but the tallest fences. 4.7/5 No, Deer. If you anticipate mouse or vole damage, repellant sprays can sometimes help, but these are less reliable for deer, and they need frequent re-spraying. adroll_pix_id = "T5DEBSDHVFG4FA3KSLHHKJ"; The truth is, NO plants are deer resistant. Reading is fundamental. It’s Sept. on Vancouver island so keep spray on hand.. Turning to flowering trees, besides the issue of winter damage, some trees have fruit that attractive deer, or even moose and elk. Serviceberry (Amelanchier) – This native shrub has beautiful white flowers in early spring, and edible berries, but it is usually left alone by deer. ¿Cuáles son los 10 mandamientos de la Biblia Reina Valera 1960? Deer typically graze all the foliage to 4 or 5 feet above the ground – sometimes even more. Spray repellents aren’t systemic, so you need to treat new foliage / flower buds as they emerge. It also includes Serviceberry trees – this morning I found deer had been snacking on my new Serviceberry. Which just goes to show how unpredictable they are, and why this article is ‘deer resistant. Love nature! The list was compiled with input from nursery and landscape professionals, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension personnel, and Rutgers Master Gardeners in northern New Jersey. I invaded their territory, so I abide them & am careful what & where I plant anything. I was thinking landscapeing from the road side of property toward house so behind daffodils you would position the ginkos as you stated, then forward and centered between place a service berry and then same spacing the other side of ginkos. We live inMN and have a Pagoda d Dogwood that the deer seem to love! Beside this, what evergreens are deer resistant? Arborvitae, also known as Thuja, is a popular evergreen for hedges, and conflicting reports are everywhere on how resistant to deer this plant actually is. New growth will often come in spring, but then suddenly die as the roots starve. Planted more closely, and trimmed from time to time, they make tough hedges and screening plants. Deer are very unpredictable, but the trees and shrubs listed here are all shown on many other lists as ‘deer-resistant’. ... We had the deer do the same thing at my place in South Bruce County. Deer also turn their noses up at fragrant plants with strong scents. Oh deer… ours are preparing for Xmas and we have found lagerstroemia and Mahonia both appear to be a valuable food source for active fallow deer… even when they have nine acres of other trees and bushes to chews from…! I’m in the heart of deer country. David and others have “captured” the deer. … Deer resistant? Vancouver island Canada Boxwood (Buxus) 02 of 10. I have never had any animal damage to my dogwoods. Cornus sanguinea. Crape-Myrtle (Lagerstroemia) – With so many varieties is many colors, these are prime choices if deer are your problem. How big do Kousa dogwood trees get? Replaced with astilbe. has a Shopper Approved rating of They will chew newly planted azaleas to the ground but leave the old ones that came with the house alone. Deciduous trees that exhibit deer resistance include Paw Paw, Black Tupelo, Mimosa, Red Maple, Japanese Maple, Black Locust, Sweetgum, Mulberry and Black Walnut. But there’s good news. adroll_version = "2.0"; In winter they are surviving. I’m looking for evergreen tree that deer won’t rut up or eat. Maybe the fact that they didn’t eat them to the ground shows they lost interest – maybe they had never encountered them before and were curious. Similarly, how do you keep deer away from shrubs? I have had success putting a large ring of 6” minus very sharp (blasted) rock around trees/ shrubs I want to protect. "Vardar Valley" is a popular low-growing, compact boxwood. Similarly, do deer eat dogwood trees? Reply Arbor Day Tree Care & Landscape Design Blog » How to Create Clumps of Birch Trees July 7, 2010 at 12:47 pm According to Iowa State University, in winter deer survive by eating the twigs from trees and shrubs. Jen. . Not “deer- proof”! Deer often eat from but do not destroy dogwood- every generation tries it once. Not impressed and very disappointed… we live in the mountain region 1000ft above sea level just outside Gosford on Central Coast NSW Australia, Well, probably most things are tastier than a tough old gum tree! I have seen a doe vertical jump 8 ft! Many smaller, shrubby plants are also resistant to deer, including Boxwood for hedges and edging, adding another big plus mark to that valuable plant. Thanks for the feed-back (but sorry about your Serviceberry!) There are numerous benefits of coffee grounds in the garden, including fertilizing the soil and repelling unwanted pests and animals, like deer. These can include trees and shrubs from your landscape. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. June 3rd, 2020, 07:38 AM. Green Giant Arborvitae. As winter turns to spring, many gardeners are out inspecting their gardens, and all too often they are finding plants damaged by winter. I’ll follow it as best as I can. Any small tree, bush or shrub is always a tasty nibble as they pass by. These animals have different feeding preferences, so it is a good idea to first of all identify the problem. Hungry deer will eat any plant they can reach, and they especially like fir trees, hostas and English ivy plants. Holly (Ilex) – Almost all hollies are left alone by deer. Deer…like most of us…take the path of least resistance. Also asked, what shrubs do deer eat? Put deer guard around any new tree regardless, Just looking for a few trees that deer might not eatdana. Apples – the eating kind and crab-apples too –  are very popular, and deer will stand on their hind-legs to reach those tasty treats, often breaking branches at the same time. There is no doubt that a nice food plot will attract and hold deer in an area. Frequently fawns will try new things, then once they get an upset stomach they learn. As a general rule, evergreen trees that tend to be ignored by deer include species of juniper, pines, firs and spruces. If not, consider planting dogwood trees as your first attempt at land management. What is internal and external criticism of historical sources? The article has been amended to reflect your valued input. Chances are that since the trees were new to the area, the deer were just taste-testing. 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping 01 of 10. Deer are often the cause of damage to trees by two ways, eating or rubbing or both. ), and they have been known to cause severe damage to these beautiful flowering annuals. A very common question we get asked, is if hydrangeas are deer resistant. They do not like anything sharp in their mouths. So no hosta is truly safe. The pollen produced by magnolia flowers is very high in protein, making it attractive to beetles . Follow label instructions for diluting and applying. They have never eaten any of them. We mix a solution of water, egg, milk, liquid soap, cayenne pepper, fresh garlic, minced onion and oil of clove. Dogwood (Cornus) – Speaking of color, the bright red and yellow winter twigs of these shrubby relatives of the flowering dogwood are also ignored. Deer eat these how I have no idea. The more I read reports of claimed deer resistance of Thuja plicata Green Giant, a western Arborvitae variety, the more it irritates me, This tree is absolutely not resistant in winter to deer here in RI, My three certified 5 foot specimens were decimated in the classic deer browse 18 inch to 56 inch zone. The ability for your habitat improvements to attract, hold, protect and define deer usage will be determined by the difference in the level of quality of your own habitat, compared to the surrounding lands. But, HUZZAH and HOORAY. Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) 04 of 10. Types of Deer-Resistant Arborvitae These include the "Green Giant", trademarked Spring Grove and "Zebrina" varieties of the western or giant arborvitae (Thuja plicata), flourishing in USDA zones 5 to 8. Graceful, gentle herbivores, deer browse on leaves and twigs of bushes, trees and perennials, and graze on grasses and annual plants. Both American holly and the different kinds of Japanese holly are notable for being ignored. based on 16291 ratings and reviews, Preorder Today And Save 10%. Buddleja davidii (butterfly bush)* Buxus. Juniper (Juniperus sp.) The only slight concern is for slugs, but only on plants that are in too much shade or getting too much water. Their continuous flowering and love of heat are also big positive features. Soft-foliaged Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria) is also seldom bothered, and they different varieties of this plant are beautiful evergreens for any garden. Deer may seem harmless enough, but leave them alone in the garden and they can wreak havoc on your favorite plants. While no plant is deer-proof, there are many that are deer-resistant or seldom damaged by deer. We have researched, studied and selected plants and trees that are so-called “deer resistant”. Well written. Methods of Deer Tree Protection. 5 Deer-Resistant Flowering Trees Garden Design Containers Garden Tips Plant Perfect Edibles Life & Style View All While it is true that a hungry deer will graze on anything in its path, these five rather spectacular flowering trees are not on their preferred menu. Deer, rabbits, and other furry pests leave them alone completely. adroll_currency = "USD"; Spring is challenging and until the grass and weeds on our acreage show up, the deer munch on anything green. In spring they are ravenous. What are the names of Santa's 12 reindeers? Oregon Grape Holly (Mahonia) – With their dramatic yellow flower clusters and large, glossy leaves, these shade-tolerant shrubs tolerate deer just as well. Probably didn’t like it so will find something they like better in the future. Beautiful maroon autumn leaves; few insect or disease problems. The fawns will chew on things that are “deer resistant” and then spit it out. So yes, deer do in fact eat arrowwood viburnum, but only the tender new growth! Most everything has survived except hostas “deer candy”. Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis'. Stately Boxwood Repels Deer Buxus sempervirens is a plant deer don't like to eat because its evergreen foliage is aromatic (but please note, not all fragrant plants are resistant to deer.). Remember bucks in the rut can be dangerous.