As if a short growing time of year , tornadoes and a hot , humid summer were n’t enough , Wisconsin gardeners also have to deal out with lots of athirst critter , the tumid of which are deer . Even urban gardeners need to familiarize themselves with cervid - resistant plants if they desire healthy landscape or plentiful harvesting in Wisconsin . The plants cervid wo n’t eat inhabit many lists , but it ’s important to note that athirst cervid will eat almost any works spirit if their favored edibles are n’t usable to them .

Deer and the Landscape

Deer lived in Wisconsin before residential landscaping begin . former settlers get rid of deer ’s born piranha , wolves , and then create thousands of acres of cultivated grazing land , do range a duck soup instead of a challenge . The resulting expanding herds pushed out of rural woodlands into urban area .

According to theWisconsin Humane Society(headquartered in Milwaukee where cervid threaten city garden plots ) , fencing , strobe lights , strips of mylar , noise and chemical substance repellents can make a backyard less attractive .

Plants Deer Won’t Eat

With the caveat that thirsty deer will eat anything when despairing , there are certain plant that they ’ll pass over in favour of other vegetation that is more palatable .

Deer Resistant Herbs

redolent herbs to admonish deer from graze in urban and suburban garden admit :

Deer also dislike catnip and Mentha spicata , but these members of the mint plant family ( Lamiaceae ) can be invasive and should be kept under control .

Deer Resistant Flowers

Plant these in your flower garden to discourage deer from munch on them :

Deer Resistant Flowering Shrubs

repeated shrubs that are n’t attractive to cervid include :

Deer Resistant Evergreens

evergreen plant Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that are distasteful to deer include :

Native Plants Deer Won’t Eat

domicile veg and flower gardens , and the trees and shrub that surround them , propose well - fertilized , well - watered , commodious grazing for cervid . Native flora survive on less , so they propose a less lavish meal .

Native Perennial Plants

Incorporate these aboriginal perennial that cervid observe distasteful into your landscape painting :

Deer will also avoid wild bergamot , thistle and prairie goldenrod , but these are aggressive growers that must be contained ; many municipality hold thistles and goldenrod " noxious , " or invasive , weeds whose finish is illegal .

Native Wetland Plants

dimension owner who have wetland areas , pool , or rain gardens in their landscape may see many deer because the water attracts these creature . Consider grow these native wetland plants that deer may not be tempted to nibble when they drink :

Native Deer Resistant Evergreens

TheLady Bird Johnson Wildflower Centerhas these and more suggestions for the gardener who want to use deer - resistant aboriginal plants , including cervid resistant evergreens :

Areas of High Deer Concentrations

Small greenhouses and nurseries stud the Wisconsin land side ; many owned by accomplished horticulturists or experient staff . From Winter , a townspeople in the far northern part of the state where the bears may outnumber the masses and the cervid outnumber both , Winter Greenhouserecommends these plant as some of the most cervid - resistant choices :

Deer Resistant Perennial Flowers

Deer Resistant Annual Flowers

Using Plants as Protection

In spring , when leave and branches are most tender , surround deer - susceptible flora with others that are less attractive , such as :

References

Deer in a field.