It might be surprising to some that there are vegetables, fruits, and herbs that repel deer. One would think that the hungry creatures would enjoy all of these treats, but such is not the case. The herb Origanum marjorana, also known as marjoram, is known for its deer deterrent quality.
Marjoram is used in flavoring meats and breads and was traditionally used within the Middle East, its native area. This herb is also an ingredient in body care products such as lotion, shaving gel, and body wash. For eating purposes, it has a spicy taste and is often confused with oregano, but marjoram is milder and sweeter.
This highly scented herb gets tiny purple or white flowers in the late spring to early summer, adding a pretty touch to the garden. It grows one to two feet and both the flowers and the leaves are harvested for seasoning purposes. Marjoram is considered a perennial in warmer climates, but its lack of hardiness sometimes makes it an annual in colder zones. This herb is very easy to grow and does well in poor to average soil conditions with full sun. It will also grow well in containers as long as they are placed in areas with a lot of sunshine.
The variegated and creeping varieties of this plant make an even prettier addition to the garden than the traditional type. However, these are not as flavorful as the original version, making them less useful as a cooking herb. Marjoram makes a great addition to recipes that include meat, vegetables, fish, chicken, eggs, and cheese.
Using marjoram in the garden will provide a pretty scene, a nice herb to use when cooking, and a way to keep deer out of the area. This mild, sweet tasting herb is included in a wide variety of recipes for most foods except desserts. It is easily grown in many areas of the country as long as there is average soil and full sun in the garden.
Some gardeners enjoy planting a bulb garden because it is a relatively low maintenance way to have flowers each year. Winter Aconite is a bulb plant that contains attractive yellow flowers and it also deters deer. It can be planted between flowers and shrubs that deer enjoy, in order to keep the animals out of the entire area.
Winter Aconite does best in areas containing full sun, where it will grow to about four to six inches high. The yellow flowers bloom very early in the spring season and can quickly form clumps. The petals are upturned while the… Continue reading
Many plants have different species and each can have a unique appearance and different qualities. The plant spurge comes in 2,420 and some are more deer resistant than others. Knowing which species of spurge to plant to keep deer away will mean the difference between a pristine and ravaged garden.
With over 2,400 species, the perennial spurge is one of the largest flowering plant families. Many of these resemble cactus plants and are found in India and Africa. The Chameleon species is often severely damaged by deer, while the other types serve as deer repellents. The Allegheny spurge and… Continue reading
Oriental Onion is a vegetable that serves many purposes for a homeowner. With its green leaf and blanched white stalks, it makes an attractive addition to the garden. It is edible and has a nice flavor, making it a key ingredient in Japanese dishes including stir-fry and tempura. However, perhaps best of all, it is a deer deterrent, so while looking pretty and feeding the family, this little vegetable keeps deer away from the garden.
The Oriental onion, also referred to as Japanese bunching onion or scallion, does not form a real bulb. The upper green section of the… Continue reading
Spotted deadnettle is a very attractive and fast growing perennial that makes a nice ground cover in the garden. In addition, this flowering plant is deer resistant so it will keep the gentle but hungry creatures out of the area. It can be interspersed with hosta and other garden plants that attract deer, in order to keep the animals from chewing on those.
The best growing conditions for this plant are in a partially shady dry spot in the garden that has well- drained soil. However, it will grow in other soil types and moisture levels, as long as… Continue reading
In addition to shrubs, plants, and flowers that deter deer, there are trees that serve this purpose. The dwarf Alberta Spruce tree is rarely damaged by deer and it makes a dynamic addition to the outside of the home. The rough foliage on the tree is not appealing to deer, so they will rarely snack in the area in which it is planted.
This cone-bearing evergreen tree will reach about six to eight feet tall and spans four to five feet wide. It is slow growing, so it may take several years before it is fully developed. The green… Continue reading
There are many types of deer resistant plants but some add much more flair to the yard than others. Several plants that repel deer have only plain green flowers and there are only so many varieties of these that can be included in the garden. The deer resistant plant purple coneflower is a much more attractive alternative.
Some gardeners plant purple coneflowers in their gardens without realizing that these plants repel deer. They select them due to their unique and attractive appearance. The purple variety of this plant is not the only type that serves as a deterrent to… Continue reading
No plant or flower is deer proof, but some are more effective than others at deterring deer year round. Deer seldom touch the shrub mugo pine when it is planted in the yard. This attractive evergreen makes a nice addition to the yard and serves a beneficial purpose.
The cone-bearing mugo pine comes in several varieties including dwarf and pumilio. The dwarf version grows about three to five feet tall and spreads up to ten feet wide. This small tree looks nice as either a groundcover or low hedge and can be included in rock gardens and foundation plantings… Continue reading
Hosta is a very attractive plant that grows well in many soil conditions and requires little maintenance. However, those who live in areas that are prone to deer should avoid including these leafy plants in their gardens. Deer love the large succulent leaves of the hosta plant and they will ravage the area of the yard where these plants are located.
Hosta is a very spreading plant that grows quickly from one year to the next. The leaves may be plain green or variegated dark green and cream. During late summer, white or lavender colored blooms appear at the… Continue reading
In areas where deer are plentiful and like to wander into the yard for a treat, consider planting the deer resistant plant silver mound. This plant will keep deer away from the area in which it is located. The pretty foliage and attractive flowers will also add a nice accent to the yard.
Silver mound grows well in full sun areas and soil that is well drained. It is best suited to areas that are dry and have low humidity. Many deer resistant plants do not flourish in areas of full sun, so silver mound will carry the deer… Continue reading
