Such plants are like true friends: You can count on them to be there for you after many a fickle flower has deserted you. Silver-speckled foliage keeps things interesting for the whole season. It is hard to think of a cuter and more aptly named plant. Penstemon digitalis, commonly called foxglove beardtongue, is a clump-forming, Missouri-native perennial which typically grows 3-5' tall and occurs in prairies, fields, wood margins, open woods and along railroad tracks. Plants that rabbits dislike include lavender, penstemon, artemesia, hyssop, sages, shasta daisy, gaillardia, common butterfly bush, blue mist spirea and columbine. Photo by: Detail Photography / Alamy Stock Photo. FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Plants, Design Ideas, Gardening Solutions & More! Deer are browsers and will nibble on what they find; deer resistant plants are the ones they test and then walk away from. Just don't mistake the foliage for a thistle and accidentally pull it when it comes up in spring. Size: From 6 to 48 inches tall and 6 to 36 inches wide, depending on type. This long-bloomer, also known as speedwell, begins flowering in late spring to early summer and continues for the rest of the growing season with a little help from you. 0000073264 00000 n The plantain family (Plantaginaceae) gifts us with some wonderful ornamental flowering plants, including snapdragons, foxglove, and the valuablePenstemon genus,which contains more than 250 beardtongue species ready to grow in your garden. So ask around! The finely textured foliage and skinny flower spikes of Veronica puts them near the bottom of the menu for deer who are looking for plants of greater substance to fill their bellies. The Yucca Plant is a jagged plant that can look nice in any garden, but because of its spiky foliage, it can easily deter rabbits. They dislike the flavor and sap that is inside the stems, and they also don't care for the fragrance of peony blooms. Photo by: Frank Richards / Millette Photomedia. Flower colorsincludepink, red, white, purple, and (rarely) yellow. It is long-lived and fuss-free. If you want to grow varieties that require the least amount of soil preparation and watering and will overwinter reliably, choose species that are native to your area and thrive in soil conditions and climates similar to yours. Tough in low amounts. Their height makes them good choices for the back row of a layered flower bed. That works out well for people who love to grow perennials with sweet-smelling flowers, such as plants in the Iris genus. Basil is also considered deer resistant, but slide it into . That is why deer usually feed on small animals, like; rabbits, frogs, squirrels, birds, or sometimes fish as well. sWB>G8 ,!`N{JP Ha*FIi1[W57 kl\Q7_WRJ6f#{( R5 $|5 Js5iZltStI`-k4?YIFnkKtV#b10qA4 0000002660 00000 n Many species will also self-sow freely. Popular types of salvia include common garden sage (Salvia officianalis) as well as various ornamental species and cultivars. Photo by Proven Winners. Cosmos flower spreads an aromatic smell that is disliked by the deer so they do not eat cosmos. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. How to Grow and Care for Star of Bethlehem Flower, How to Grow and Care for Mexican Orange Plant, How to Grow and Care For 'Becky' Shasta Daisy, How to Grow and Care for Pink Evening Primrose, Purple, blue, orange, red, yellow, pink, white. Columbine plants display colorful flowers against a backdrop of attractive, clover-like foliage. Yarrow is an easy perennial to grow and a good choice for beginners. Botanically speaking, any plant listed as being in the Nepeta genus is considered to be a catmint. Gardeners with heavy clay may lose plants to root rot, especially in areas with heavy snow that experience a long spring thaw. Email: plantclinic@mortonarb.org. Russian sageis certainly no exception. There are so many good penstemons, with new ones coming onto the marketplace every year, that everywhere in North America, it is possible to grow at least one [type of] penstemon native to your area.. 2023 Proven Winners North America LLC. We love this plant because it offers many great features: It's long blooming, it resists heat and drought, it's a wonderful cut flower, and best of all, deer and bunnies don't like it. Its fragrant foliage is highly deer resistant, while its bright amethyst blue flowers are a favorite of bees and hummingbirds. 0000011701 00000 n Click here to learn more about growing purple coneflower. Part of the plantain family (Plantaginaceae), penstemons are a huge genus of plants encompassing approximately 270 species and over 800 cultivars and hybrids. And that's precisely why deer tend to avoid them. The brightly colored Japanese Blood Grass is a popular choice. They live in the wild areas and search for food around them. Dislikes. The amount of water youll need to give them will often depend on the water-holding capacity of your soil and the origin of the varieties you have chosen. And, in addition to plants with unpleasant odors, deer do not eat plants that smell perfumy. They tend to be short-lived plants and will often need replenishment after a few seasons. 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. Beardtongue and foxglove look quite similar. Buy deer resistant perennials - Order plants online and have them shipped right to your door. Deer browsing depends upon the available food source for that year, time of year, location, deer species, and simple curiosity. The tough plants often have a long bloom season, which makes them great for gardeners. Rabbits are herbivores who feed on a wide variety of plant life. This deer-resistant perennial can become quite large under the right growing conditions. If you prefer blue flowers, grow any of the blue-flowering salvias. * Required | We will never sell or distribute your email to any other parties or organizations. Plant Name: Actaea simplex (but often called Cimicifuga simplex), Growing Conditions: Part shade and moist, well-drained soil. The tubular flowers make an excellent landing pad for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds alike! For some types, the sky-blue color is as stunning as it is on the blue morning glory vines (Ipomoea tricolor). (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. Best in full sun to part shade. They are extremely sensitive to poorly draining soils and winter moisture. Its leaves do not hang around for very long at all, and soon after it is done flowering, the whole plant (above ground) disappears. No need to apply pruning paint to other trees; Avoid topping crape myrtles: simply remove sprouts or entire limbs at the trunk. The most common flower colors are shades of blue, purple, pink, white and red, some with distinctive veining and white throats. %PDF-1.3 % Size: From 1 to 4 feet tall and 6 to 36 inches wide, depending on type. To start, we need to warn you that there are few, if any, plants that can be called truly deer proof. - Penstemon - Hollyhocks - Lantana Conclusion Do Deer Eat Coleus? Deer generally stay away from aromatic herbs and other plants, such as sage, rosemary, and lavender. You can't grow wrong with purple coneflower for summer gardens: It blooms for weeks, it attracts scores of butterflies, it makes a great cut flower, and it's often left alone by deer thanks to its rough foliage. There are many kinds of speedwells. Most humans do not like to taste bitter salad greens or vegetables, and the same is true for most slugs and snails. A deer needs to consume about 6% to 8% of its body weight daily, from spring through fall, in green foliage and browse, to stay healthy. When in doubt, try to find the old-fashioned bearded varieties. It's also heat and drought-resistant, so you can depend on it to look good, even with little care. Dark Towers also seems to retain its color better in summer. In cold areas, they appreciate the protection of growing near a sunny, warm wall. Size: Most grow from 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. (Zones: 4-8; Height: 2 to 3 feet; Bloom time: June to September), Native to the northern Great Plains and northeastern states, this species is more tolerant of high humidity and moist soil than those of western origin. Looking for coneflowers in more colors? Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants. Boom Chocolatta Geranium pratenseZones 4-8. Don't let its common name fool you: Wormwood is a great garden plant. 0000010637 00000 n Because of their low fiber diet, deer must eat every few hours. (Zones: 5-8; Height: 3 to 6 feet; Bloom time: Late spring), Loose spires of bright orange-red flowers and evergreen foliage that resembles tiny pine needles. In addition to offering a broad palette of colors, these native wildflowers and their many cultivars come in many shapes and sizes, from dwarf varieties you can tuck into rock gardens to waist-high prairie plants that bring color and movement to the back of the border. The vibrant spires of blue, purple, yellow, pink, maroon, cream and bicolor blooms of Decadence false indigo will be something both you and pollinators look forward to each year as they bloom in late spring to early summer. Native Americans used Penstemon in a variety of remedies. Size: From 1 to 4 feet tall and 6 to 36 inches wide, depending on type. 0000001568 00000 n 'Pink Diamonds' is one of our longest blooming perennials, beginning the show in late spring and continuing all the way into early fall. Wall germander is not as well known as it once was, but it's making a comeback as a plant that attracts bees. 0000002079 00000 n Avoid soil amendments that hold moisture, such as peat moss and manure. Plants that are deer-resistant are often rabbit-resistant as well. Size: From 1 to 6 feet tall and 1 to 4 feet wide, depending on type. A deer's preferred foods differ from individual to individual, so the deer in your yard may avoid a particular plant, but the down the street, the deer find it a favorite. Butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinating bees will all visit your red hot poker when it's in bloom, but deer and rabbits won't be interested. If youre looking for a high-impact, long-blooming perennial with low water requirements and amazing diversity, penstemon, or beardtongue, is a top contender. All are great for gardens since they're tough, drought-tolerant picks with long bloom seasons and colorful flowers loved by hummingbirds. However, if you look closely, you will notice bees enjoying the flowers' pollen when in bloom. Planted in a spot with well-drained soil and exposure to full sun, it will put on a show in mid- to late spring. Keep the penstemon flowerbed weeded regularly. Native to southern California, Arizona and Utah, it thrives in arid climates and dry, sandy soils. Dig a hole and place so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. ORNAMENTAL GRASSES Size: To 3 inches tall and 12 inches wide. Another distinctive feature of this deer-resistant perennial is its short seasonal life. These plants are very sensitive to cold and prefer moist soils with good drainage. 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