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