That Deer Ate My Azalea!

Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 January 2012 17:48 Written by Corrina Tuesday, 17 January 2012 17:39

It’s hard to not be surprised by the damage deer can do to your precious plants. The last thing any gardener wants is to go outside to find all their hard work and benefits destroyed, and by Bambi no less.

While there are varieties of plants that can be deer resistant or deer tolerant, a deer will eat just about any plant if it’s hungry enough. Rather than heading out for a hunting license, protect your landscape from future raids and eliminate munching.

• Scaredy Deer Deer are always alert and frighten easily. If you hear one of them, or more, poking around in the yard, scare them away with an abrupt sound or movement. Better yet, let out the dog! Sensor lightening around the house or yard may be a resourceful, fright-inducing alternative.
• Make it smell and taste bad If it smells or tastes bad, they won’t eat it (or will be severely less inclined)! Deer repellants are effective in keeping the deer away. Some are stronger than others - you may not even want to go near that manure smell. However, you can try ingredients from around the house such as garlic or rotten eggs that are more tolerable, on hand, and less expensive.
• Deer resistant and deer tolerant plants While there are varieties of plants that can be deer resistant or deer tolerant, a deer will eat just about any plant if it’s starving. Nonetheless, incorporate plants that are known for being deer resistant or tolerant in your landscape. Create borders around plants that attract deer to potentially eliminate the need for the deer to dig deeper.
• Fencing for animals Building a barrier around your yard, garden, or specific plants is the best long-term solution. For smaller spaces, for example, a garden or island, you can build a barrier, or fence, that is four feet tall and securely rooted in the ground. Deer jump high, but are less likely to enter a confined space. If needing to protect a large area, the fence will need to be seven feet tall and securely in the ground – if motivated, they will try to go under, through, or over the fence. Installing an electric fence will definitely keep out all unwanted creatures, but they should be used with caution.

To learn about other common pests for Encore Azaleas, click here.

To browse the entire Encore Azalea Collection, click here.