A Virginia deer’s habitat is… anywhere and everywhere! Wherever we garden is where a sweet, delicate deer wants to visit and nibble. Argh- so frustrating! I’ve been asked every year about deer at garden nurseries, Master Gardener Farmers Market tables and as a BAMGA Help Desk volunteer. Yes, I’ve tried the stinky sprays and other methods of diversion, which can work temporarily if at all. The article below contains other great suggestions and resources. It is part of a “Mr Smarty Plants” Q&A column (don’t you love that name?!) from a FANTASTIC website at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin. We are re-posting this from a few years back because it still is one of the best I’ve found. www.wildflower.org
QUESTION: I live in Roanoke/Salem Virginia and want to plant a few plants native to the area along the front yard rock wall. I would prefer they be the same, deer resistant, around 5-6 feet tall max and flowering at some point in the year. I will plant either 6 or 9 – depending on how far apart they need to be planted. I would like to know what time of year to plant them as well? Thanks!!ANSWER: Our Native Plant Information System has a list of Deer Resistant Species. Use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to find ones that are native to Virginia by choosing your state from the Select State or Province option and then select “Shrub” under General Appearance. This will narrow the list to 11 species. You will have to match the other characteristics of your site to the requirements of the various shrubs. Some of these have maximum heights that are taller than your preference, but most can be trimmed to stay the height you want. Here are a few recommendations from the list:
Click on any plant’s name to link to its photo and more information…
Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon) is evergreen. It can grow to over 12 feet high, but it grows very slowly and can be pruned. The female plants produce beautiful red berries (if there is a male plant in the vicinity) that are attractive throughout the winter.
Amorpha fruticosa (Indigo bush) is deciduous and grows from 6 to 10 feet. Its blooms range from orange to violet and are showy in late spring.
Morella cerifera (Wax myrtle) is evergreen with inconspicous white flowers that yield pale blue berries on female plants. It grows to 6 to 12 feet. The leaves when crushed are very aromatic.
Rhus aromatica (Fragrant sumac) is deciduous, grows 6-12 feet high and has aromatic leaves and dark red berries. It also has colorful fall foliage.
Aesculus pavia (Scarlet buckeye) has spectacular flowers. It is deciduous and the leaved begin to fall by the end of summer. It can grow as high as 40 feet.
Edge of the Woods Nursery in Pennsylvania has a list of Deer Tolerant Plants (Nothing is Deer Proof) that includes these shrubs:
Clethra alnifolia (Coastal sweet pepperbush) is deciduous, grows to 6 to 12 feet and has showy flowers.
Dirca palustris (Eastern leatherwood) is deciduous, 3 to 6 feet and has showy flowers that last a long time. Here is more information form University of Connecticut.
Calycanthus floridus (Eastern sweetshrub) is deciduous, 6 to 12 feet with red flowers.
Lindera benzoin (Northern spicebush) is deciduous, 6 to 12 feet with clusters of tiny, yellow flowers and red fruits.
…You might also find the articles, Shrubs: Functions, Planting and Maintenance and A Guide to Successful Pruning, Pruning Shrubs, from Virginia Cooperative Extension helpful.
From: Salem, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Deer Resistant, Shrubs
Title: Native deer-resistant plants for Virginia
Answered by: Nan Hampton, September 26. 2012
Go to the full article for links to more deer resistant questions and a photo gallery at: https://www.wildflower.org/expert/geo_search.php?passstr=-79.14224639999998,37.4137536,0#map