| Plant the image of Bambi traipsing through a garden | | | | unremarkable as possible to avoid attracting |
| in the minds of most suburbanites and they'll coo with | | | | predators so they avoid getting close to heavy |
| pleasure at the thought of Mother Nature gracing | | | | scents which may rub off and expose them. |
| them with her presence. Mention deer to a gardener, | | | | If keeping deer entirely at bay isn't your objective, |
| however, and you'll often get a decidedly different | | | | there are some methods that will still give you a |
| reaction. | | | | chance at seeing them at the edges of your garden |
| As cute as they may be, deer hold a place right | | | | without having to sacrifice hummingbird attracting |
| alongside moles, rabbits and grubs in the minds of | | | | plants to their insatiable appetites. Using any of the |
| those who invest hours in planting a beautiful garden. | | | | scented methods above in moderation but only near |
| The word deer might as well be an acronym for | | | | plants you want to protect is one option. |
| Destructive Entity Eating Rabidly. If you plant it, they | | | | Consider placing more desirable plants at the |
| will come. If you plant it with the intent of luring | | | | perimeter of your garden and keep your hummingbird |
| something benign, they'll come even faster. What | | | | flowers closer in to your home. Some plants for |
| appeals to one critter often appeals to another which | | | | which deer have a high preference include, Indian |
| is the crux of the dilemma for those who wish to | | | | Hawthorn, English Ivy, Hosta and Hydrangea. |
| attract hummingbirds. | | | | Some sprays such as hot pepper applied to the |
| The good news is that there are solutions which will | | | | leaves of plants you are trying to protect have also |
| help you selectively lure one cute critter without the | | | | been shown to be effective. Remember, though, to |
| other. The only thing you have to decide is exactly | | | | avoid spraying the flowers on your hummingbird |
| how far away you'd like Bambi to stay. | | | | friendly plants or you'll deter the very creature you |
| If you'd be happy never to see a deer in your | | | | are trying to attract. |
| hummingbird garden again, the best insurance is a | | | | Finally, choose deer-tolerant flowers which |
| fence. Anything lower than 8 feet tall may act as a | | | | hummingbirds enjoy but deer only dine on when |
| deterrent but wont guarantee a motivated deer | | | | stressed by loss of habitat or starvation. There are a |
| won't hop over. Slat fences will certainly do the trick | | | | few varieties that still appeal to hummingbirds but |
| if you don't mind a very obvious boundary. | | | | which represent less of an invitation to a deer's |
| Alternatively, polypropylene mesh fences blend into | | | | remarkably undiscerning palate listed below. |
| the background and cost substantially less. | | | | Perennials |
| Other options to deter deer include predator or even | | | | Bee Balm |
| human urine deposited around the perimeter of your | | | | Cardinal Flower |
| garden. The drawback to this method is the need for | | | | Dahlia |
| constant (weekly) reapplication. The bigger your | | | | Annuals |
| garden, the less convenient this option becomes. | | | | Flowering Tobacco |
| Some gardeners report that human hair contained in | | | | Vines |
| nylon stockings and strategically placed around the | | | | Cardinal Climber |
| garden has been reported to deter deer. Likewise, | | | | Ultimately, remember that deer-tolerant is the same |
| heavily scented soaps either sliced in slivers or hung | | | | as water-resistant. It isn't a guarantee. When |
| still in the box near plants you want to protect | | | | stressed, starving, desperate or diseased, deer can |
| reportedly do a good job. Recommended brands | | | | and will eat just about any non-poisonous plant to |
| include Irish Spring, Zest and Dial. Finally, dryer sheets | | | | get by. If you want the ultimate protection against |
| such as Bounce smell unpleasant to deer. The | | | | them, the answer to your prayers was mentioned |
| concept derives from a deer's desire to remain as | | | | early on. Invest in a fence. |