For homeowners, deer can be both amazing companions and unwanted intruders. Whether you consider them intruders or amazing, knowing plants that attract deer can help you keep them away or close.
Usually deer would visit your yard for three main reasons: they like certain plants, need water or are looking for lawn fungi.
So whether you want to make your yard less inviting or more inviting to deer, this article is for you.
Plants That Attract Deer to Your Yard
Most times deer are attracted to yards because of the plants they love. Everyday plants such as twigs, berries, fruits, and flowers serve as deer food. Since these plants are perfect for deer to eat, having them in your yard makes it a tempting spot for them.
Deer are drawn by the greenery and food in yards.
Twigs
Twigs are a good source of nutrients for deer, especially during seasons when other food sources may be scarce.
In the winter, when fresh green vegetation is not as readily available, deer will turn to browsing on twigs and branches to meet their nutritional needs.
Additionally, twigs help deer wear down their teeth, which continue to grow throughout their lives.
Blackberry
Deer are opportunistic feeders therefore will forage on a variety of plant materials depending on what is available in their environment. So when blackberry bushes are in season, you can be sure they will attract deer.
Blackberries are also rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can help deer maintain their health. Their high water content can also help keep deer hydrated, especially during dry periods.
Spicebush
Spicebush produces aromatic leaves and berries, which can be appealing to deer due to their taste and scent.In some cases, deer may also consume spicebush as a natural medicine.
Spicebush contains compounds that have been traditionally used for their medicinal properties, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic effects.
Like many other animals, deer have been observed to exhibit a form of self-medication by seeking out specific plants that can help with their health.
Flowers
While flowers are not typically a staple in a deer’s diet, they may consume them opportunistically, especially if other food sources are limited.
Some flowers contain sugars that can be appealing to deer due to their sweet taste. Deer may be attracted to flowers with bright colors and strong scents, as these characteristics can signal the presence of nectar or other food sources.
Additionally, flowers are often high in water content, which can help keep deer hydrated, especially during dry periods.
Rhododendrons
Deer are known to have a preference for eating rhododendrons because of their taste, toxin tolerance and availability.
- Taste: Rhododendrons have large, lush leaves that are flavorful and nutritious, making them a tasty treat for deer.
- Toxin tolerance: Deer have a higher tolerance for certain toxins found in rhododendron leaves compared to other animals. While rhododendrons contain toxic compounds called grayanotoxins, deer are able to consume them in small amounts without adverse effects.
- Availability: Rhododendrons are commonly found in landscaping and garden settings, making them easily accessible food sources for deer, especially when other preferred food sources are scarce.
These are a few tasty plants that are easy to plant in many yards. If you have these in your yard and stay close to deer, you are bound to find them there.
Aside from these plants, deer also need a lot of water, so they look for ponds, birdbaths, or even half-filled kiddie pools. These spots are perfect for them to drink and cool off, especially when it’s dry.
Plants That Deter Deer From Your Yard
Just as there are plants that attract deer, there are many plants that can keep them away. These plants are less appealing to deer because of their strong smells, rough textures, or poisonous parts.
Studies show deer prefer plants that have been fed more than those that haven’t. They also avoid plants with strong smells and prickly leaves. Some great plants that deer don’t like include:
Brunnera
The natural chemical composition, texture, taste, and aroma of Brunnera plants likely contributes to why deer do not typically eat or like these plants.
Let’s look at these in more detail:
- Toxicity: Brunnera plants contain compounds that are unpalatable or even toxic to deer. Certain tannins in the leaves or flowers of Brunnera plants may cause digestive issues or discomfort if consumed by deer.
- Texture and taste: The texture and taste of Brunnera leaves may not be appealing to deer. They have fuzzy or hairy leaves, which can deter deer from feeding on them.
These reasons make Brunnera a good choice for landscaping in areas where deer browsing is a concern.
Lily-of-the-valley
The combination of toxicity and bitter taste contributes to why deer do not like or eat Lily of the Valley plants.
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is highly toxic to animals, including deer, if consumed in significant quantities. The plant contains cardiac glycosides, which can have serious effects on the heart and other organs if ingested.
Deer can instinctively avoid plants that are known to be toxic, and the presence of these compounds likely deters them from feeding on Lily of the Valley.
Aside from that, lily of the valley leaves also have a bitter taste, likely due to the presence of the toxic compounds. Deer, like many animals, have a sense of taste that helps them distinguish between safe and potentially harmful foods.
Deer will therefore avoid the Lily of the Valley plant because it is bitter.
Lungwort
The main reason deer will not eat Lungwort plants is because they contain alkaloids or saponins which can cause digestive issues, neurological effects, or other adverse reactions in deer.
Lungwort leaves may also leave a bitter taste when consumed. This makes them a plant that is avoided by deer.
Juniper
Deer tend to avoid eating Juniper plants for a few reasons, these include:
- Aromatic Resin: Juniper plants contain an aromatic resin that gives them their characteristic scent. This resin has a strong, pungent aroma that can be unappealing to deer. Deer rely on their sense of smell to detect potential food sources and may instinctively avoid plants with strong or overpowering scents like Juniper.
- Bitter Taste: Juniper foliage has a bitter taste that may deter deer from feeding on it. Like many animals, deer have taste preferences that help them avoid bitter or unpalatable foods.
- Prickly Texture: Juniper plants have needle-like leaves that can be prickly and difficult for deer to consume. The sharp needles of Juniper foliage can make it unappealing for deer to browse on, as they may cause discomfort or irritation to the deer’s mouth and digestive tract.
- Toxicity: Some species of Juniper, such as the Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), can be toxic to deer if consumed in large quantities.
Bee Balm
The major reason deer are less likely to feed on this plant is because Bee Balm plants have a distinctive and strong aroma that acts as a natural deterrent to deer.
Their leaves and flowers give off a pungent and spicy flavor that deer may find unpalatable.
You should know: No plant is completely safe from deer, but choosing deer-resistant plants helps a lot. By picking tough plants, you can have a beautiful garden without worrying about deer damage.
Conclusion
Depending on your preference, deer can either be big problems or lovely companions.
If you want to keep your yard deer-full, you now know what attracts them. If you want to keep your yard deer-free, you know what repels them.
Whichever way you choose, these plants can be helpful in making your outdoor space look appealing.
