If you're not sure, then protect it until it gets large enough to protect itself.

Makes Sense Laceyvail....thanks. :-) You know I would rather avoid putting up the protection, right? [g] But to be safe, why take a short cut? Especially since I really like the shrub and it still looks good after sitting in a pot all summer in the heat.

Agree with above. While it might not be their first choice I have had some species eaten and others not. The ones that got eaten to the ground were a V. carlesii and V. sargentii. They seem to leave the trilobum and dentatum alone.