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deer resistant hedges

18 years ago

Could anyone suggest evergreen shrubs that would form a hedge that would be good for deer resistance. The deer have been munching at my newly planted evergreen azaleas. The rhododendons and hollies are fine so far. I am located in zone 7 (ave.45-50 inches rain). I would prefer something with some annual flowering. Thanks in advance.

Comments (8)

  • 18 years ago

    I would presume American or English hollies are what deer wouldn't enjoy munching on, but of course they only add winter color. You might want to look into Washington Hawthorn.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials

  • 18 years ago

    I would ask your local county extension agent for a list of locally resistant shrubs. One of the problems is that there are NO plants (to my knowledge) that some deer won't eat at some time. There are plants that deer don't like, usually, and there are plants that they don't eat, usually, but they can and do change their patterns and habits. That said, there should be enough plants that they rarely eat in your area for you to find some. Not living there, I won't venture to offer any, I may well be wrong.

    You can also try googling for deer-resistant evergreens in NJ, and see what comes up - you might want to limit the list to broad-leaf evergreens, as most of the conifers that I now of are eaten by deer around here at some time. There should be on-line lists for resistant shrubs.

    Good luck!

  • 18 years ago

    From my observations I have yet to see evidence of browsing on Osmanthus. They are great evergreens with admittedly small but powerfully fragrant flowers. You might look into O. heterophyllus or even O. americanus. Depending on your winters, O. fortunei might work as well.

  • 18 years ago

    You didn't specify how tall your hedge should be, what is the lighting conditions are there and do you want it to be evergreen or deciduous. This info will greatly help.
    Anyway, a lot of Viburnums probably not a completely deer-proof, but will be rarely touched by the deers.
    At least here in my deer paradise V.dentatum and V.plicatum were never touched by them.

  • 18 years ago

    I would prefer evergreen (maybe with some seasonal flowering). Prefer shorter growing shrubs(even if I have to do regular pruning to keep three feet or under. The sun exposure is great (mostly southern, with some shading in the late afternoon. I have red-tip photinias on the side lawn (which from prior experience, I know to grow large and quickly). I prefer experimenting with the azaleas though in the front. On the opposite side of the front lawn (also southern exposure but shaded by maples, I put in a bank of rhododendrons, and Blue Princess Holly (which the deer thankfully ignored). Thanks.

  • 18 years ago

    Azaleas are the deer's candy. Forget about them.
    Pieris is a deer resistant, evergreen, could be kept at 4', but in a southern exposure you might have a problem to keep it healthy. A lot of people reporting aphids problem in z7a-b if grown in full sun.
    Rhododendron Olga Mezit is somewhat deer-resistant as the most of PJM family and will take full sun in 7a. Though it has somewhat open habit, with yearly pruning after the flowering it will stay dense and compact. Excellent fall color, too.
    If not evergreen, spiria japonica (many different cultivars) would completely satisfy your other requirements.

  • 18 years ago

    You might consider Berberis 'Julianae' which is one of the evergreen barberries that deer will without a doubt leave alone. This plant would be very happy with the conditions your garden has to offer and it has nice yellow flowers in the spring, BUT and this is a big BUT it has LONG sharp thorns so if your hoping this hedge will keep the neighboring kids, dogs, ect out of your yard this is the ideal plant. 'Julianae' will reach 6' it can be trimmed to maintain your desired height of 3' but you might find one of the smaller evergreen barberry varieties better meets your needs but I can't attest to their hardiness in zone 7a.
    {{gwi:250757}}

    Here is a link that might be useful: University of Ct - Bereberis 'Julianae'

  • 10 years ago

    Try Oleander bush, these are poisonous. The deer in our neighbor eat any and everything it seems, but have never even nibbled off these.