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