Iris
These bold flowers are not the first ones that come to mind when we think about what to add to our yards to keep deer away, but it turns out that they are one of the best plants for this.
They are hardy plants that are going to be able to thrive in zones 3 to 10, and they can easily become a staple in your yard.
Irises are beautiful, despite not having a long blooming time, but you can easily enjoy them over time.
Otherwise, they work great as deer-repellant plants since they have a strong smell and a bitter taste.
These are the two most unattractive qualities for deer, and those who have taken to planting them close to where the deer break through into their yards have seen great success in deterring the mammals from returning.
One thing to keep in mind is that while they do well in well-drained soils, you will need to be able to plant them somewhere where they will get full sun!
10 Responses
Forget me nots are pretty and can make quite a show.I also have deer and they have never bothered the fmns. However, everyone needs to know that fmns are invasive. I planted some from seed 40 years ago and they are now around three sides of my house. They are easy to pull up. They are also easy to plant – pull up a couple of blooming plants, place them where you want some more and next year you will have blooming plants. I live in zone 7 and they grow in sun, shade, dry and wet. Thanks for the article.
Deer sometimes but have a big chipmunk problem especially in my vegetable garden!
I live in Northern California in the foot hills. I have up to 40 Deer a day coming here. They mostly graze in the spring and turn to the trees in the summer. They love my Walnut tree leaves and my Fruit trees, so I put a screen up around them. Any trees they don’t like you need to watch during rutting season, they rub the trees trunk to remove the velvet on their antlers and can kill a young tree! They don’t care for my large Rosemary bush or my Spanish Lavender! They also enjoy the tender young growth of my Deodara Cedars, but tend not to hurt them. They love my Roses, and will come up on my deck to get them, added a high gate to keep them out! I love the Wildlife that come to visit two time a day, so I don’t mind working with them!
One other thing they leave alone are Daffodils. They come out early and can be found all over the area. BTW, I have a 13 acre place, so much of what is around has been here for years. Humming Birds to wild Turkeys to Deer, Bears and Mountain Lions all live in my neck of the woods, I love it!
The iris mentioned as deer-resistant: Does this include the tall bearded irises? The last 2 years deer have eaten the buds off the stalk…..never bothered them until lately.
I live in the pine barrens. Medford. Nj. 08055
Township of Medford. Would love your help. The front of my house is bare. Need to do something. Please. Sprayed. Used soap. Nothing works
rather than deer, my problem is rabbits and javelinas….
the deers eat my hostas so bad it makes me sick every time they get a lil height they eat it down please tell me what i can put in that pot to deter them
The best deterrent I have ever had is a dog. If you like dogs and have the space you will find dogs chase deer. Within a very short period of time – no deer!
They aren’t supposed to eat hibiscus but they eat mine