Deer often stay clear of plants that are poisonous, fuzzy, coarse, spiny, bitter or aromatic. In this article, well look at the most effective deer resistant shade plants you can grow. While they may be cute and fun to watch, they can wreak havoc on a landscape. When landscape architects in new jersey established test plots of deer resistant plants, deer damaged every species over a twoyear period. Perennial plant association plant of the year 2017. And like the orangeflowered butterfly weed, this one is a monarch magnet, great for butterfly gardens. Asclepias tuberosa orange butterfly weed has glowing orange flowers that. Plants are also used as an accent, butterfly nectar plant, butterfly host plant or as part of a grouping or mass planting. It is disheartening to add new annual and perennial plants to the landscape only to find them mowed to the ground by resident wildlife. Trees deodara cedar cedrus deodara dogwood cornus florida. If deer are unclear about something, theyll try it, so even plants that are classified deer resistant arent always safe. It tolerates drought and is deer and rabbit resistant. Despite milkweeds status as the only monarch butterfly host plant, there are many. Butterfly weed asclepias tuberosa or milkweed is as easy to grow as a weed but much prettier, plus hummingbirds and butterflies especially monarchs adore.
They know whitetailed deer will eat almost any kind of plant if theyre hungry enough and, even if well fed, will sample plants theyre not supposed to like. Once you plant deer resistant trees and shrubs around your property, youll be able to maintain your yards good looks and will deny the deer a meal. Other stand out deerresistant plants include wild blue indigo baptisia australis, which grows in drier soil as a shrubby focal point. Butterfly milkweed tagged deerresistant sunlight gardens. The nectarrich blooms attract a wide variety of butterfly species and the foliage is an important food source for monarch butterfly larvae.
Asclepias tuberosa orange butterfly weed high country. In addition to the butterflies being attracted to bloodflower plants, the plants are also used as a medicinal herb. Sitting atop upright flowering stems, clad with stiff, lanceshaped leaves, the colorful umbels are followed by attractive seed pods in the fall. Poor soil drainage is the one thing butterfly weed wont stand. Deer resistant plants arkansas deer resistant plants. Sow these heirloom seeds at 4 seeds per plant in welldrained soil and keep moist until germination occurs in 21 28 days.
These are bulbs that deer generally leave alone unless they are desperate for food. This deer resistant plant is heat, drought, and cold tolerant with vanilla scented flowers that are very attractive to monarch butterflies, beeds and hummingbirds. However, there are a number of plants that deer dont find particularly palatable. Asclepias tuberosa, or butterfly weed, is a hardy perennial that blooms summer into fall. For example, butterfly weed or asclepias tuberosa is drought tolerant, animal resistant, attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, and requires no soil amendment. Sundrops oenothera fruticosa truly look like drops of sun in late spring and will attract bees and hummingbirds. If you dont have much space to plant, use it in containers. Plants are also used as butterfly nectar plants, to provide showy blooms and attractive foliage or as part of a grouping or mass planting. Deer resistant species few plants are completely deer resistant. Aphids and other insects can create sooty mold on plants, a fungus that develops from their secretions honeydew. White flower farm is a familyowned mailorder nursery located in northwestern connecticut. Several factors influence deer browsing including the density of the deer population, environmental conditions such as drought, and plant palatability.
Nepeta walkers low walkers low catmint is a robust variety with dark lavenderblue flowers in late spring and aromatic graygreen foliage. A tough perennial native to areas of north america, butterfly weed bursts forth with clusters of orange flowers in summer. Asclepias tuberosa butterflies are very attracted to asclepias, hence the common name. Asclepias tuberosa butterfly weed from new moon nurseries. This deer resistant wild flower seed mixture includes the approximate percentages. Butterfly weed has been named perennial plant of the year for 2017 by the perennial plant association, a group of growers, breeders, writers, and other experts in the perennial field. Though butterfly weed lacks the milky sap typical of its milkweed relatives, plants are resistant to deer and rabbit browsing. Asclepias tuberosa provides showy blooms and can be used in cottage gardens, deer resistant plantings, waterwise landscapes, low maintenance plantings, perennial borders, roadsides and restoration projects. This list of deer resistant plants is compiled from reports and recommendations by nurseries, garden centers, horticulture educators, master gardeners, and landscapers across the country. A starving deer will chew the tires off of your car. It is important to keep in mind that there are probably no plants that are 100% deer proof. Since a starving deer will eat anything to stay alive, no plant is guaranteed. Western gold butterfly weed asclepias tuberosa western gold. Deer resistant wildflower seed this wildflower seed mix contains flowers that deer typically do not find palatable.
Butterfly weed is drought tolerant once established making a great addition to sustainable landscapes. Deer repellent shrubs will help you reach that goal. A classic native pollinator plant, butterfly weed, is the 2017 perennial plant of the year, as voted by the perennial plant association. Over 50 bulbs and perennials to choose from that deer will not eat. Its also heat and drought resistant, so you can depend on it to look good, even with little care. As a general rule of thumb, deer will not be attracted to certain groups of plants. Asclepias tuberosa, the butterfly weed, is a species of milkweed native to eastern north america.
Commonly called mexican butterfly weed, blood flower or tropical milkweed, these showy plants have blooms in the colors or red, orange and yellow. Although many plants qualify as deer resistant, there is no such thing as a deer proof plant. Use it in butterfly gardens, as well as the middle or back of the border. Planting milkweed asclepias is essential to creating a habitat for the beloved monarch butterfly s survival, as they are the only plants on which monarch caterpillars will feed. Wildflower and cottage gardens, cut flower, deer resistant, attracts butterflies and beneficials. Deer gardening missouri department of conservation. Asclepias tuberosa butterfly weed for monarch butterflies. Asclepias tuberosa orange butterfly weed high country gardens. All parts, particularly the roots, may cause mild stomach upset if ingested. You get a double benefit when you plant butterfly weed in your landscaping. Butterfly weed is slow growing at first in our cool soils, so mark where. Special collections lady bird johnson wildflower center. Native, attracts hummingbirds, attracts beneficials, drought tolerant, deer resistant.
Asclepias tuberosa orange butterfly weed is a food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars and very attractive to many varieties of butterflies. This perennial bush grows up to 2 feet in height, blooming large orange clusters of flowers. Drought resistant drought tolerant perennial plant xeric. Perfect for sunny borders, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens and prairies or naturalized areas. Using these plants in your landscape is often the most costeffective, least time. The deer wont touch it, but the butterflies and hummingbirds love it. Deerresistant perennials and bulbs white flower farm. Keep the plants well watered the first year and fertilize once in spring with compost. Asclepias tuberosabutterfly weed baptisia australis. A tough perennial native to areas of north america, it bursts forth with clusters of orange flowers in summer. In a previous article, we talked about using twofers, plants that have at least two features that recommend them. Gay butterflies is a very popular butterfly milkweed. Other stand out deer resistant plants include wild blue indigo baptisia australis, which grows in drier soil as a shrubby focal point. Native plant butterfly weed asclepias tuberosa for the.
Thriving in harsh conditions, this durable, rabbit and deer resistant perennial plant is an indispensable for use in xeriscapes. However, much depends on how hungry the deer are and what other options they have to choose from. It blooms from may to september, depending on your location. A vigorous, hardy, and rugged grower, plants are about two feet tall and can become invasive. Butterfly weed is a musthave plant for butterfly lovers. It is the fragrance of bayberry that deters deer from eating it. Learn how to grow and care for butterfly weed and milkweed in this article. This milkweed plant is a host for the monarch butterfly caterpillar and a nectar. This cultivar can be used in cottage gardens, deer resistant gardens, low maintenance plantings, rain gardens or perennial borders. Butterfly weed happily, this plant will bring a host of butterflies to your yard but not deer.
If you live in a deer heavy area, this wildflower seed mix is the one you want. They bloom from midsummer into early fall and, with their milky sap, are resistant to rabbits and deer. Bayberry myrica pensylvanica is native to eastern north america, and its a deerresistant shrub you are more likely to see in the wild there than in peoples yards. There are many plants that deer dont usually find tasty. It has showy spikes of blue flowers, interesting leaves and is a butterfly host plant. Milkweed is a must have for attracting monarch butterflies to your yard. Attract butterflies, attract hummingbirds, bee friendly, deer resistant, native. Asclepias milkweed are sun loving plants that are essential perennials for monarch butterflies providing food for caterpillars and nectar for adult butterflies.
Container garden ideas wildlife garden ideas butterfly garden book for. Cinderella swamp milkweed asclepias incarnata american. As stated above, deer eat different plants in different regions. C063 p a g e 2 adapted from washington department fish and wildlife and backyard wildlife sanctuary program. This fact sheet is intended to serve as a guide for choosing landscape plants resistant to deer feeding in north carolina. Vernonia lettermannii iron butterfly ironweed from new. It is also the larval food plant of the queen and monarch butterflies, as well as the dogbane tiger moth, milkweed tussock moth, and the unexpected. Deer tend to avoid plants with aromatic foliage, tough leathery andor hairy or prickly leaves or plants with milky latex or sap.
This is a query received from a weedpatch reader named patti s. Happy in most soil types, it will spread but isnt aggressive and overwinters as reddish evergreen rosette. The plants are generally rabbit and deerresistant, too. This special selection of the wildflower orange butterfly weed is. Its informal nature also makes it ideal for naturalist or meadowstyle landscapes. If you have plants in your garden that have not been feasted upon by deer, please share them with us. Many gardeners struggle with deer eating their plants.
There are, however, a good number of bulbs that can be accurately considered deer resistant. Droughtdesign expert, author, and landscape consultant mary irish creates a mixed border that withstands low rainfall. In rocky deer country, kathy payne and fix it wise greg bright adapted design concepts when they left houston, including tiered, raised limestone beds and an artistic stone watch. But, there are plants they usually avoid and are considered deer resistant. While no plant is completely fool proof, deer seldom damage the plants listed below. If they are hungry enough and food is scarce enough, deer will eat almost anything. Arkansas gardeners love to plant a variety of flowers and trees but often deer love these plants just as much as we do. Keep in mind that in a bad season, deer may feast on plants on this list. Butterfly flower or butterfly weed or asclepias tuberosa. Easy care, drought tolerant and deer resistant, asclepias tuberosa hello yellow butterfly weed is a bushy perennial prized for its brilliant clusters of bright golden yellow flowers which bloom continuously from early to late summer. When natural food is scarce deer can stomach almost anything, but they usually avoid these plants if other food is available. Asclepias tuberosa hello yellow butterfly weed easy care, drought tolerant and deer resistant, asclepias tuberosa hello yellow butterfly weed is a bushy perennial prized for its brilliant clusters of bright golden yellow flowers which bloom continuously from early to late summer. The milkweed family of north american plants is named asclepias after asclepias, the famous greek god of medicine, since the plants have long been used in herbal medicine.
Butterfly weed asclepias tuberosa, swamp milkweed asclepias incarnata are considered the. Deer are one of the most common problems a gardener can face. We refer to these are known as deer resistant plants, which for the most part are generally passed by. Butterfly milkweed seeds asclepias tuberosa gay butterflies. Deerresistant butterfly plants this list of butterfly nectar and host plants, currently fairly general, has been gathered from several sources. Butterflies love this plant, and it provides a great food source for them. Deer resistant plants the following is a list of plants that have been identified as deer resistant.
Aphids and other insects can plague crape myrtles and other trees in summer raining trees are due to the honeydew secretions. The more of these you have growing, the less spraying you should have to do. Garden guides landscape plants that deer will not eat. Plant butterfly weed in a sunny spot, stand back, and watch the butterflies flock to your yard. Plant deer resistant perennials for years of color that deer stay away from. Deadhead plants after the first flush of blooms to encourage continued flowering. Artemesiamugwort aruncusgoats beard asarumwild ginger asclepias butterfly flower aster astilbefalse spirea baptisiafalse indigo bergeniasaxifraga boltoniastarflower brunneraforget me not.
Experts know enough not to use the term deer proof lightly since deer will eat most anything. Butterfly weed you get a double benefit when you plant butterfly weed in your landscaping. It is said that hardly any plant is 100% deer proof, but there are many annuals, perennials, vines, trees, and shrubs that dont appeal to deer as much as clover and kale do. Deer are a big problem for those who live among them. Deer resistant plants for austin and central texas. Butterfly weed has a taproot, so once planted its difficult to move. This list is a great place to start in your search for deer resistant plants for your garden. However, a hungry beast will choose from what is available, even if it is not their favorite. The plant also is tolerant of drought, erosion, and salt. Conflicts between deer and landscaped spaces are due to the urbanization of rural areas and increase when deer are under stress. It is commonly known as butterfly weed because of the butterflies that are attracted to the plant by its color and its copious production of nectar. There are only a few bulbs that can truly be called deer proof. The butterfly flower also known as butterfly weed or asclepias tuberosa has many great qualities. Native plants are easytogrow and butterfly weed is one of the easiest that like to be planted in.
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